Sir Cliff to sue SYP over televised raid

Sir Cliff Richard has launched a £1 million legal action over the BBC's controversial live broadcast of the South Yorkshire Police raid on his home.
Sir Cliff RichardSir Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard

The singer’s home was searched live on television two years ago as part of an investigation into historical sexual abuse claims made against him.

The star has issued a statement outlining that his lawyers have dispatched letters to both South Yorkshire Police and the BBC saying he intends to sue for ‘misuse of private information’ during the 2014 swoop by officers investigating historic sexual abuse allegations.

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The statement said: “I confirm that I have instructed my lawyers to make formal legal complaints to South Yorkshire Police and the BBC so that in the absence of satisfactory answers a court will determine whether or not their behaviour was justified and proportionate. My life was effectively turned upside down and my reputation, worldwide, was unnecessarily damaged.

“Whilst the police of course need to properly investigate allegations, it is clear to me that questions need to be answered by both the police and the BBC about their initial handling of my matter, which has rightly been condemned from so many quarters. I chose not to comment during the active investigation for obvious reasons, but having suffered the experience that I have, I firmly believe that privacy should be respected and that police guidelines are there to be followed.

“That means that save in exceptional circumstances people should never be named unless and until they are charged. There were no such “exceptional circumstances” in my case.”

Sir Cliff has never been arrested or charged with any offence.