Sir Cliff sues BBC after spending £280,000 repairing reputation

SIR CLIFF RICHARD has demanded damages from the BBC as it was revealed that he paid £280,000 to a PR firm and solicitors to “mitigate” the damage to his reputation in the wake of a historic sex assault allegation.

The singer is suing the broadcaster over coverage of a raid at his apartment in Sunningdale, Berks, in August 2014 as part of the investigation.

In a preliminary hearing at the High Court yesterday, Justin Rushbrooke QC, who heads Sir Cliff’s legal team, said the star’s personal financial details were “absolutely classically” in the category private information “which the court should protect”. But the judge warned him that if he continues with the legal action he might not be able to keep his wider financial affairs secret.

Sir Cliff launched a legal action against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police, arguing that he had suffered “profound and long-lasting” damage.

But BBC editors have claimed their report was in the public interest and insisted they reported Sir Cliff ’s “full denial of the allegations at every stage”.

Almost two years after the raid at his home, Sir Cliff was told he would face no charges.

His legal dispute with South Yorkshire Police was settled when the force agreed to pay the singer “substantial” damages.