Sir Cliff backs campaign for sex crime suspects not to be named
POP star Sir Cliff Richard has thrown his support behind a pressure group campaigning for law reform after he was falsely accused of historical sexual assault.
In 2014 South Yorkshire Police searched his Berkshire home in a raid which was covered by the BBC using a TV helicopter and led to him being publicly named.
No arrests were made in relation to the accusation against Sir Cliff, and he did not face charges.
Sir Cliff is now backing Falsely Accused Individuals for Reform (Fair), a new pressure group that is pushing for anonymity for those accused of sexual offences until there is a charge.
“Being falsely accused myself and having that exposed in the media was the worst thing that has happened to me in my entire life,” Sir Cliff said.
“Even though untrue, the stigma is almost impossible to eradicate. Hence the importance of
False accusation ‘worst thing’ to happen to veteran singer in his entire life.
Fair’s campaign to change the law to provide for anonymity before charge in sexual allegations and hence my continued work with Fair in the future.
“Had this proposed change in the law been enacted when the police decided to raid my apartment following the allegations of a fantasist, the BBC would not have been able to film this event, name me, (even though the South Yorkshire Police had decided not to) and so plunge my life and those close to me into fear and misery.”
The singer previously said the trauma of the coverage left him emotionally drained. He has since sued the BBC for invasion of privacy – winning £210,000 in damages.
Daniel Janner QC, whose father was the late Labour peer Lord Janner, is the founder and secretary of Fair.
The group strongly believes in anonymity up until charge, and is also calling for a change in the language of criminal proceedings from victims to complainants.
Mr Janner described Sir Cliff ’s support as an “enormous boost to our important work”.
“It is a privilege and honour that Sir Cliff has added his support,” he said.