Singer suing BBC after police payout
BRITAIN: Sir Cliff Richard has been paid more than £700,000 by British police after they tipped off the BBC about an investigation into alleged historic sex offences, it has emerged as he begins legal action against the corporation, which could result in multimillion-pound damages payouts.
The 77-year-old singer is demanding that the BBC pay him aggravated damages, including the advance for an autobiography shelved when the corporation allegedly ‘‘shattered’’ his reputation by naming him as being under investigation for an alleged sex offence involving a minor dating back to 1985.
As the trial at the High Court in London began yesterday, it emerged that if Richard wins, he will seek £278,261 for legal costs, £108,500 for PR fees, and an undisclosed sum for the ‘‘substantial non-recoverable advance’’ for his autobiography, which was due to be published in 2015. His lawyers say the book is ‘‘no longer viable’’ and that the singer is entitled to aggravated damages because the BBC has ‘‘rubbed salt in the wound’’ by refusing to apologise.
It also emerged that when South Yorkshire Police settled the allegations against them, they agreed to pay Richard £700,000 as well as his legal fees. They have apologised and accepted that their conduct was ‘‘unlawful’’.
The legal fees have not been decided, but police have noted that by June 2017, costs against both defendants were already in excess of £1 million.
Justin Rushbrooke QC said the BBC had reported the police search of Richard’s home in Sunningdale, Berkshire in August 2014 in the most ‘‘prominent and sensational way’’. Dan Johnson, the BBC’s North of England reporter, had told his bosses that he had police ‘‘over the barrel’’ as he had a tip that the singer was being investigated.
The BBC says it accurately reported a story which was ‘‘a matter of high public interest’’. It denies the police’s claim that it ‘‘pressurised’’ police into handing over the information.
The day before officers searched Richard’s home, they phoned the BBC to tell it that the raid would take place, allowing the broadcaster to have satellite trucks, reporters and helicopters in place.
The Metropolitan Police investigated the allegations against Richard and found no evidence to support them, and it was announced in June 2016 that he would not face charges.
– Telegraph Group