BBC won’t appeal in legal battle with Cliff

THE BBC will not appeal against a ruling in its legal battle with Sir Cliff Richard – but called on the Government to urgently review the law around how the media can report arrests.

The broadcaster yesterday announced it would not attempt to overturn the High Court judgment after lawyers predicted it may not win. But in an open letter to the Attorney General, the corporation warned of a ‘dramatic shift against press freedom’.

It comes after Mr Justice Mann ruled earlier this month the BBC should not have named Sir Cliff, pictured, in its reporting of a police raid on the singer’s home in 2014 after allegations of child sex abuse. The judge awarded him £210,000 in damages for a ‘very serious’ invasion of privacy.

But experts have warned the ruling could have huge ramifications on how the Press is able to operate and on the public’s right to know. Naming suspects is standard practice in news reporting.

The BBC was backed by the Society of Editors which vowed to put pressure on the Government, warning Britain’s ‘liberties and freedoms’ were ‘at risk’.

Further legal action could have also left licence fee payers hundreds of thousands more out of pocket – with the BBC already facing a legal bill of £2.3million as it will now have to pick up Sir Cliff’s costs.

The BBC had originally vowed to appeal against the ruling but yesterday said in a statement: ‘It would inevitably mean an expensive legal cul de sac and one that would simply prolong Sir Cliff’s distress.’

But it added: ‘There is a fundamental principle of press freedom at stake here and one upon which we believe Parliament, as our lawmakers, should decide.’

Sir’s Cliff representatives welcomed the BBC’s decision not to appeal. The 77-yearold star was never arrested or charged after the raid on his home in Sonning, Berkshire, by South Yorkshire Police. He sued after the BBC hired a helicopter for its ‘sensationalised’ reporting of the case.

A Government spokesman said last night: ‘We are aware of the BBC’s concerns and will respond in due course.’