BBC denied consent to appeal Sir Cliff ruling

BBC bosses have not persuaded a High Court judge to let them challenge his ruling on a privacy fight with Sir Cliff Richard.

The 77-year-old singer sued over BBC coverage of a South Yorkshire Police raid on his Berkshire home in August 2014, following a historical child sex assault allegation.

The star was never arrested over the claim, which he denied, and in June 2016 prosecutors said he would face no charges.

Earlier this month Mr Justice Mann ruled in Sir Cliff’s favour after a High Court case in London.

The judge concluded coverage was a “very serious” privacy invasion and awarded Sir Cliff £210,000 damages.

He said the award would be made up of £190,000 to cover the “general effect” coverage had on Sir Cliff’s life, plus £20,000 because the BBC had aggravated harm by nominating coverage for an award.

BBC bosses have to seek permission to appeal by showing they have a realistic chance of overturning the ruling.

On Thursday lawyers for the BBC began that process at a follow-up hearing, but Mr Justice Mann refused to give them the go-ahead.

He said an appeal did not have a real prospect of success and there was no other compelling reason why Court of Appeal judges should consider the case.

Barrister Gavin Millar QC, who leads the BBC legal team, had argued that the initial ruling had implications for journalists and an appeal had a “real prospect” of success.

He added: “The risk is a severe chilling effect on the freedom of the press in relation to reporting police investigations.”

Lawyers for Sir Cliff said the BBC should not get permission to appeal.

Barrister Justin Rushbrooke QC, who leads Sir Cliff’s legal team, said Mr Justice Mann had applied the law to the facts.

Picture: PA Sir Cliff Richard won his damages case.