We won’t pay Cliff damages over film of police raid, say defiant BBC chiefs
THEfor Richard’s broadcastingBBC home. refused theto pay police damagesraid on yesterdaySir Cliff
Screening live pictures from a helicopter as detectives rifled through the singer’s belongings was ‘not intrusive’, the corporation insisted.
The BBC claimed the star had no right to privacy because he was under police investigation at the time for what turned out to be false claims of historical sexual abuse.
Lawyers for the corporation said it would not have broken the story if police had not volunteered information to a BBC reporter.
Sir Cliff, 76, is seeking millions in damages and costs from South Yorkshire Police and the BBC.
He said the live coverage of the search of his £3million apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August 2014 was ‘profoundly shocking, distressing, humiliating and embarrassing’.
The agreement to keep the BBC informed about the search and let them film was signed off by then Chief Constable David Crompton.
Sir Cliff wants police and the BBC to admit they acted unlawfully and invaded his privacy. But yesterday BBC lawyers said: ‘It is denied that the BBC’s coverage was sensational or highly intrusive’.
On July 14, 2014, 11 days after allegations against Sir Cliff were passed to the force by Scotland Yard, BBC reporter Dan Johnson made contact to say he had received a tip-off about the singer. Gavin Millar,team,have run QC, said the who the storyis broadcasterheading without the informationBBC’s would legalnot provided by the officer leading the case ‘on his own initiative’. Sir Cliff said he felt ‘publicly violated’ and the BBC had added ‘insult to injury’ by entering its coverage for an award. The BBC claims he had no right to privacy as a search warrant had been granted and there was legitimate public interest. Mr Millar said: ‘It is denied that the coverage was sensational, excessive, disproportionate, humiliating or intrusive.’
South Yorkshire Police has yet to respond to Sir Cliff’s claim for damages, which include a £1.1million legal bill.
Yesterday Sir Cliff’s spokesman said: ‘We cannot comment in any detail due to the ongoing litigation.’
The BBC said: ‘We will defend ourselves vigorously.’