Editing Cliff Richard (section)

==Property search, investigation and BBC litigation==

In August 2014, Richard's apartment in Berkshire was searched after a complaint to the [[Metropolitan Police]]'s [[Operation Yewtree]], which investigated sexual misconduct allegations in the wake of the [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal|Jimmy Savile scandal]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Martin |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11035541/Sir-Cliff-Richard-insists-I-am-not-a-paedophile.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11035541/Sir-Cliff-Richard-insists-I-am-not-a-paedophile.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Sir Cliff Richard insists I am not a paedophile |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=14 August 2014 |access-date=17 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Richard was not arrested, and strongly denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cullinane |first=Susannah |title=Singer Cliff Richard denies underage sex allegation |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/14/world/europe/uk-cliff-richard-police/index.htm |publisher=CNN |date=15 August 2014 }}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=GuardAug14>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/14/cliff-richard-denies-wrongdoing-police-raid-sexual-assault-allegations-billy-graham-rally |title=Cliff Richard denies allegations of sexual assault as police raid UK home |last1=Dodd |first1=Vikram |last2=Siddique |first2=Haroon |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |date=14 August 2014 |access-date=14 August 2014}}</ref> The BBC was criticised for its coverage of the search.<ref>{{cite news |title=MPs to quiz BBC and police bosses over Cliff Richard raid |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28901918 |access-date=31 August 2014 |work=BBC News |date=22 August 2014}}</ref> The former [[Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales)|Director of Public Prosecutions]], [[Ken Macdonald|Lord Macdonald of River Glaven, QC]], criticised the police force for its "completely disreputable conduct" and said its action could make the warrant unlawful.<ref name=hamilton>{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Fiona |title=Police deal with BBC may mean Sir Cliff search was illegal |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-deal-with-bbc-may-mean-sir-cliff-search-was-illegal-j65hcg8tspn |access-date=1 October 2014 |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=20 August 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Richard pulled out of a visit to the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] tennis championships, turned down the freedom of his adopted Portuguese home city of [[Albufeira]], and cancelled a scheduled appearance at [[Canterbury Cathedral]] because he did not want the event to be "overshadowed by the false allegation".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/sir-cliff-richard-quizzed-by-detectives-over-sex-crime-claim |title=Sir Cliff Richard quizzed by detectives over sex crime claim |date=24 August 2014 |work=Channel 4 News |access-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> He subsequently returned to the UK and voluntarily met with and was interviewed by members of [[South Yorkshire Police]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sir-cliff-richard-interviewed-by-police-over-alleged-sexual-assault-9687914.html |title=Sir Cliff Richard interviewed by police over alleged sexual assault |work=The Independent |location=London |date=23 August 2014|access-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> He was never arrested or criminally charged.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haroon |first=Siddique |title=Sir Cliff Richard will not be charged after accusers' appeal is rejected |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/27/sir-cliff-richard-will-face-no-charges-as-accusers-appeal-is-rejected |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=17 October 2016}}</ref> Subsequently, David Crompton, chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, was criticised for his interactions with the BBC, and publicly apologised to Richard.<ref name=plunkett>{{cite news |last=Plunkett |first=John |title=Cliff Richard raid: police chief apologises for BBC deal on coverage |url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/02/cliff-richard-raid-police-chief-apologises |access-date=3 September 2014 |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=2 September 2014}}</ref>

In February 2015, South Yorkshire Police announced that the inquiry into the alleged offences had increased, and would be continuing. Richard subsequently released a statement maintaining that the allegations were "absurd and untrue".<ref>{{cite news |title=Cliff Richard inquiry increases 'significantly' in size |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/cliff-richard-inquiry-increases-significantly-in-size-1.2117499 |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin |date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Martin |title=Sir Cliff Richard sex abuse investigation involves more than one allegation |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11435266/Sir-Cliff-Richard-sex-abuse-investigation-involves-more-than-one-allegation.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11435266/Sir-Cliff-Richard-sex-abuse-investigation-involves-more-than-one-allegation.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=25 February 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cliff Richard's lawyers accuse MPs of damaging singer |url= http://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-02-27/cliff-richards-lawyers-mps-enabled-media-coverage/ |access-date=1 March 2015 |work=ITV News |date=27 February 2015}}</ref> The development came a day after an independent report had concluded that South Yorkshire Police had "interfered with the singer's privacy" by telling the BBC about the August 2014 property search. A review by former chief constable Andy Trotter said South Yorkshire Police had breached police guidance on protecting the identity of those under investigation and the handling of the search had dented the force's reputation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weaver |first=Matthew |title=Police deal with BBC over Cliff Richard raid 'caused unnecessary distress' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/24/bbc-and-police-heavily-criticised-over-sir-cliff-richard-raid-coverage |work=The Guardian | location=London |date=24 February 2015}}</ref> The BBC's tip-off regarding the search reportedly came from within Operation Yewtree, although Crompton said he could not be certain that the leak originated from there.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nissim |first=Mayer |title=Cliff Richard BBC leak 'came from Operation Yewtree' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a594171/cliff-richard-bbc-leak-came-from-operation-yewtree.html |access-date=1 March 2015 |work=Digital Spy |date=2 September 2014}}</ref>

In May 2016, South Yorkshire Police sent a file of evidence to the [[Crown Prosecution Service]].<ref name="BBC-36261170">{{cite news | title = Sir Cliff Richard file sent to Crown Prosecution Service | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36261170 |work= BBC News | date=10 May 2016 }}</ref> The following month, the CPS announced that after reviewing "evidence relating to claims of non-recent sexual offences dating between 1958 and 1983 made by four men", there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Richard with an offence, and that no further action against him would be taken.<ref>{{cite news |last=Laville |first=Sandra |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/16/cliff-richard-will-not-face-charges-over-sexual-abuse-claims |title=Cliff Richard will not face charges over sexual abuse claims |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="CPS">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36546038 |title=Sir Cliff Richard sex abuse inquiry: No charges for singer |work=BBC News|date=16 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016}}</ref> Richard said he was "obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close". But he said his naming by the media, despite not being charged, meant he had been "hung out like live bait".<ref name="CPS"/> South Yorkshire Police later "apologised wholeheartedly" to Richard after its investigation into the singer was dropped on 16 June 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=No sex charges to be brought against Cliff Richard |url= http://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-06-16/south-yorkshire-police-apologise-wholeheartedly-to-sir-cliff/ |work=ITV News |date=16 June 2016}}</ref> Richard commented: "My reputation will not be fully vindicated because the CPS's policy is to only say something general about there being 'insufficient' evidence. How can there be evidence for something that never took place?"<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36547213 |title=Sir Cliff Richard's full statement |work=BBC News |date=16 June 2016 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> It was subsequently reported that during the 22-month police investigation a man was arrested over a plot to blackmail Richard. The unnamed man in his forties contacted Richard's aides and threatened to spread "false stories" unless he received a sum of money.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cliff Richard sex abuse accuser 'previously arrested over blackmail plot' |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/cliff-richard-sex-abuse-blackmail-police-rape-a7089896.html |access-date=26 June 2016 |work=The Independent |location= London |date=19 June 2016}}</ref>

On 21 June 2016, the BBC apologised publicly to Richard for causing distress after the controversial broadcast.<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC 'very sorry' Sir Cliff 'suffered distress' |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36584749 |work=BBC News |date=21 June 2016}}</ref> On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the decision not to prosecute Richard over claims of historical sex offences had been upheld. The CPS reviewed the evidence following applications by two of his accusers,<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Cliff Richard sues the BBC and police after raid of his house was broadcast live on TV |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/06/sir-cliff-richard-sues-the-bbc-and-police-after-raid-of-his-hous/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/06/sir-cliff-richard-sues-the-bbc-and-police-after-raid-of-his-hous/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=6 October 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and concluded that the decision not to charge Richard was correct.<ref>{{cite news |title=Decision to drop Cliff Richard case upheld by CPS |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37484677 |work=BBC News |date=27 September 2016}}</ref> In October 2016, it was reported that Richard was suing the BBC and South Yorkshire Police. Legal papers were filed at the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] in London on 6 October 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Cliff Richard lodges papers suing BBC and police |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37580723 |work=BBC News |date=6 October 2016}}</ref> South Yorkshire Police later agreed to pay Richard £400,000 after settling a claim he brought against the force.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Yorks Police paid Sir Cliff Richard £400,000 damages over raid |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/south-yorks-police-paid-sir-cliff-richard-400000-damages-over-raid-36815624.html |access-date=18 July 2018 |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=17 April 2018}}</ref>

On 12 April 2018, the case against the BBC opened in the High Court. It was reported that Richard was seeking "very substantial" damages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sir-cliff-richard-begins-high-court-battle-against-the-bbc-2291607|title=Sir Cliff Richard begins High Court battle against the BBC|date=13 April 2018|work=NME|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref> On 13 April, Richard gave evidence for more than an hour, describing the television coverage as "shocking and upsetting".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43754437|title=BBC report shocking, says Cliff Richard|date=13 April 2018|work=BBC News |access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref> His written statement was made available online by his lawyers, Simkins LLP.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Cliff Richard, OBE (Claimant) and {1) The British Broadcasting Corporation (2) The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police (Defendants)  |url=http://www.simkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Witness-Statement-of-Sir-Cliff-Richard-OBE.pdf |publisher=simkins.com |date=29 November 2017 |access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.simkins.com/sir-cliff-richard-obe-v-1-bbc-2-south-yorkshire-police-witness-statements/|title=SIR CLIFF RICHARD, OBE v (1) BBC (2) SYP WITNESS STATEMENTS – Simkins|date=17 April 2018|publisher=simkins.com|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035448/https://www.simkins.com/sir-cliff-richard-obe-v-1-bbc-2-south-yorkshire-police-witness-statements/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 18 July 2018, Richard won his High Court case against the BBC and was awarded £210,000 in damages.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jim |last1=Waterson |access-date=18 July 2018 |title=Cliff Richard wins £210,000 in damages over BBC privacy case|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/18/cliff-richard-wins-damages-from-bbc-over-police-raid-footage|date=18 July 2018 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sir Cliff Richard wins case against BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44871799|work=BBC News|date=18 July 2018}}</ref> On 15 August 2018, the BBC stated they would not appeal against the judgment. The BBC repeated an apology for the distress that Richard had been through.<ref name="waterson">{{cite news |last=Waterson |first=Jim |title=BBC will not appeal against Cliff Richard privacy victory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/aug/15/bbc-will-not-appeal-against-cliff-richard-privacy-victory |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=15 August 2018}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' estimated that the BBC's costs for legal fees and damages had reached £1.9&nbsp;million after losing the case.<ref name="waterson"/>