Police: We told BBC too much about raid on Cliff

THE former head of South Yorkshire Police believes the force gave the BBC ‘ too much’ information about the Sir Cliff Richard raid – describing its relationship with the broadcaster as like a ‘shotgun wedding’.

David Crompton, who was chief constable in August 2014 when the raid happened, said he regretted that the BBC was given a ‘running commentary’.

A press officer sent a series of texts to BBC reporter Dan Johnson as the search unfolded. Messages included ‘we are not near the property at this time’ and ‘we are going in now Dan’.

‘The running commentary was assisting the BBC too much,’ Mr Crompton told the High Court. ‘We gave them the time and date. They didn’t need any more.’

Mr Crompton, who was on holiday at the time, said the force did not want publicity because a prosecution was unlikely. It was only after Mr Johnson contacted them claiming to know about the case – involving historic allegations of sexual abuse – that they agreed to give details to avoid compromising the investigation, he said, before likening the relationship with the BBC to a ‘shotgun wedding’.

Sir Cliff, 77 – who was never arrested or charged – claims footage of the raid was a ‘very serious invasion’ of his privacy and is seeking ‘substantial’ damages from the BBC.

The corporation says its reports were accurate, in good faith and were of ‘legitimate public interest’. The case continues.