Was Cliff Richard right to sue the BBC over its broadcast?

STEPHEN GLOVER argues that Mr Justice Mann’s ruling that Sir Cliff Richard was unlawfully named will be detrimental to freedom of the Press and public interest (Mail). I consider the judgment to be articulate and fair, and am delighted Sir Cliff succeeded in his lawsuit. The BBC and Mr Glover seem to think a police raid negates a person’s right to privacy. But this argument undermines the principle enshrined in the Magna Carta that all citizens are innocent until proven guilty. The BBC filmed this raid live in broad daylight and vilified Sir Cliff in a public shaming. You’d think Judge Mann had invented the notion that a ‘suspect’ should not be named until charged. In fact, this principle is at the heart of the Leveson report and is usual police practice. Naming early in an investigation only attracts liars and fantasists. LOUISE LACAILLE, Dundee.

OnLY hours after the Prime Minister stated in Parliament, with reference to the Sir Cliff Richard case, that it would not be wise to withhold the names of individuals under police investigation, MPs voted to protect their own anonymity and reputations should they find themselves under investigation for alleged misdemeanours. ELIZABETH ANNE NORTH, Anlaby, E. Yorks.

AS A Christian, should Cliff Richard not be more concerned with humility and forgiveness rather than indulging in revenge and rolling of heads? In my view, the BBC has nothing to answer for.

ROY SMITH, Folkestone, Kent. CHRIS PATTEn, a former BBC Trust director, is right. The BBC should take the decision over the Cliff Richard case on the chin. They over-sensationalised rumours that had no credible basis and broadcast them to the world. Sadly, this is indicative of the race to the bottom in TV news. The BBC should certainly not appeal using licencepayers’ money.

D. JOHNS, Brighton.

WHY has nothing been said about Cliff’s accuser? Why hasn’t he been named, shamed and tried?

DENISE CLAXTON, Wigan. THE £210,000 the BBC has been ordered to pay Sir Cliff is 12 per cent of what they pay Gary Lineker, so what are they whingeing about?

S. TONG, Pudsey, W. Yorks.