By James Simons-
Sir Cliff Richard has won £1m damages following allegations of historical sexual abuse here decades ago.
The 76-year-old singer was deeply upset when a police raid of his home was broadcast on the BBC without hi is knowledge
South Yorkshire police collaborated with the BBC in releasing the broadcast. Richard’s barrister, Justin Rushbrooke QC told the court that South Yorkshire police “recognized its conduct was unlawful and has agreed to pay the claimant a substantial sum by way of general and aggravated damages to compensate.”
Rushbrooke criticised the decision of the police to inform the BBC about their investigation into claims that Sir Cliff Richard abused a boy during a 1985 Billy Graham evangelical crusade in Sheffield . The barrister said the actions of police had we. “shocking, humiliating , and embarrassing “. The allegations against the veteran singer eventually failed to make its way to court and the singer lodged a legal suit.
After the case, the BBC said : The police decision to settle the claim because of how they handled the investigation doesn’t change the fundamental principle that journalistic organisations should be able to report on the police and police investigations”. The BBC themselves have made no offer of compensation, believing their actions to have been right.
Cliff Richard has never publicly commented on the allegation itself in terms of why he thinks he was accused. Perhaps he should.