BBC scraps Sir Cliff appeal but warns of blow to press freedom
BBC bosses said yesterday they would not challenge the landmark Sir Cliff Richard court ruling, but blasted the judgment for its “shift against press freedom”.
The corporation said the judgment over its coverage of a raid at the singer’s home in 2014 was a hammer blow for reporting of police investigations.
A High Court judge last month ruled the BBC infringed 77-yearold Sir Cliff’s privacy by televising the raid at Sunningdale, Berks, live on the lunchtime news. He was awarded a total of £210,000 after suing the broadcaster.
BBC director-general Tony Hall said the corporation decided not to appeal because the judgment was too complicated to challenge successfully.
But in a stinging rebuke, Lord Hall said he was so concerned at its future effect he had written to Attorney General Geoffrey Cox.
Dramatic
His letter said: “The judgment creates new case law and represents a dramatic shift against press freedom.
“In his ruling, the judge himself [Mr Justice Mann] stated ‘the case is capable of having a significant impact on press reporting’. It raises significant questions over how the media can report investigations in the future – and creates huge uncertainty over what might qualify as being in the public interest.”
He added: “We accept the BBC and the rest of the media have a duty to be sensitive to the rights and position of those who are under investigation, and in some cases there will be little public interest in naming individuals.
“However, this ruling will limit the long-standing ability of journalists to report on police investigations – many cases of which have resulted in further complainants coming forward.
“It will make it harder to scrutinise the conduct of the police and it will undermine the principle of the public’s right to know.” Sir Cliff was never arrested or charged during the police investigation, which was sparked by a man claiming he was sexually assaulted while at a Sheffield rally held by US evangelist Billy Graham in 1985.
The singer always strenuously denied the claim and in June 2016 prosecutors announced he would face no charges. A spokesman for Sir Cliff said last night: “He welcomes the fact the BBC have decided not to seek permission to appeal, particularly after the judge gave his judgment that they had no grounds on which to pursue such an action.
“Sir Cliff now hopes that outstanding issues can be resolved quickly.”