Journalist’s claim in court
BY SIAN HARRISON reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk POLICE joked about arresting Sir Cliff Richard at Wimbledon when they probed a child sex assault allegation against the singer, a court heard yesterday.
BBC reporter Dan Johnson, who broke the story about Sir Cliff being investigated, allegedly told his colleague Declan Wilson about the joke.
The High Court in London heard the idea left Wilson “incredulous”.
Sir Cliff has sued the BBC over coverage of South Yorkshire Police’s search of his apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August 2014.
He says it was a “very serious invasion” of his privacy and wants damages at the “top end” of the scale.
The BBC dispute his claims and say the coverage was in good faith.
Lawyers representing the pop star have suggested Johnson “strong-armed” police into telling him about the search.
The reporter has denied the suggestion.
In a written statement, BBC editor Wilson told the court: “My understanding is that the police openly gave Dan lots of detail about the investigation.
“I specifically remember Dan telling me that the police even joked that they had considered arresting Sir Cliff Richard at Wimbledon that year.
“The idea that the police might try to arrest Sir Cliff Richard at an event with such a public profile left me incredulous – even if the police were joking.”
The entertainer, 77, who denied the allegation and was told in June 2016 that he’d face no charges, said he decided not to attend the tennis tournament in 2015 because the investigation was ongoing and he was under “suspicion”.
As he left the court yesterday, Sir Cliff thanked fans gathered outside.
The hearing continues.