By Chris Williamson-
The BBC reporter primarily involved in broadcasting the breaking news about Cliff Richard’s home, used the word ”celebrity paedo”, in reference to the Cliff Richard investigation.
Dan Johnson admitted to the private hearing of Cliff Richard in London today that the term he used was a ”shorthand reference” which did not reflect his overall approach to the story.
The British singer’s home in South Yorkshire was raided by cops in August 2014. Asked if he wanted to make a “personal apology” to Sir Cliff, Dan Johnson told the High Court he was sorry the star “went through such a difficult time”.
Sir Cliff, 77, who is suing the BBC over the misuse of private information and breaking data protection rules. He also says he suffered “profound and long-lasting damage” after the BBC named him and broadcast footage of police searching his Berkshire flat in August 2014.
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Questioned by Sir Cliff’s barrister Justin Rushbrooke QC, Mr Johnson acknowledged using the term “celebrity paedo” when referring to the case in an email to a colleague.
But he said the description was a “shorthand reference” and did not reflect his “overall approach” to the story.
“In all my external dealings on the story and the way that I covered it, I have been professional and fair,” Mr Johnson told the judge.
“What matters is what is said publicly and how you conduct yourself with other people externally.”
Sir Cliff Richard arriving at the High Court on 18 April 2018
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Sir Cliff Richard was accused of sexually assaulting a boy under the age of 16 in Sheffield in 1985 at an Evangelical crusade conducted by the late Billy Graham. News of the raid was passed to South Yorkshire Police by the Metropolitan Police. It ended up with the BBC who were too glad to sensationalise the story and use a helicopter to give a thorough view of the scene at Sir.Cliff’s home. The temptation to sensationalise the story is obvious considering the level of fame associated with the name Cliff Richard.
Sir Cliff Richard says he suffered “profound and long-lasting damage” after the BBC named him and broadcast footage of police searching his Berkshire flat that August in 2014.
Mr Johnson said he was “pleased to have broken such a big story”, but accepted it had left Sir Cliff “upset and distressed”.
“Obviously South Yorkshire Police were part of that and my colleagues at the BBC who were part of the story as well,” he said.
“I don’t believe I was at fault… I am sure the investigation would have been distressing.”
Mr Johnson said decisions about a helicopter being used to film the search – including footage of officers inside Sir Cliff’s flat – were taken by senior BBC editorial staff.
“It wasn’t for me to consider the bigger picture, the wider implications of what was being broadcast,” he told the court.
He added that “the general idea of having the helicopter there… was useful to tell people what was going on.”
Sir Cliff’s barrister twice asked Mr Johnson if he was prepared to apologise to Sir Cliff in court, but the judge intervened by saying the line of questioning was “not helpful”.
Dan Johnson will maintain his stance of innocence since he doesn’t believe he did anything wrong. He confirmed awareness that there have been ce
lebrities on the wrong end of false allegations, but insists he followed protocol in breaking this story
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