Parkinson attacks BBC‘error of judgment’ over Sir Cliff probe

FORMER BBC journalist Sir Michael Parkinson has described the corporation’s reaction to the investigation into singer Sir Cliff Richard as an “error of judgment” that “would have done the red-tops credit”.

South Yorkshire Police has complained to the BBC and accused it of breaching its own editorial guidelines after the broadcaster found out about a search the force was planning to carry out at Sir Cliff’s home.

The singer’s Berkshire penthouse was searched for five hours on Thursday by officers from South Yorkshire and Thames Valley Police as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault on a boy under the age of 16 at a religious event in 1985.

South Yorkshire Police said it was “disappointing” that the BBC was slow to acknowledge that the force was not the source of the “leak”. It acknowledged that it did confirm to a reporter at the corporation the date of the search of Sir Cliff’s house, but only because the BBC had already contacted the force to say it knew about a planned investigation.

Sir Michael said the media’s handling of the case was like a “witch hunt” and called for greater protection of people’s anonymity until they are charged.

The veteran TV host added: “I think the BBC did create an error in judgement, not in understanding the story and having the story and trying to follow it through, but in reacting to the story in a kind of way that would have done the red-tops credit.

“That’s what wrong with the BBC, I think, on this one. It was the manner in which they chose to actually cover the event – if you can call it an event.

“I think there is a lot to be looked at and a lot to be learned from all that’s been happening around that particular kind of area.”

Sir Michael highlighted the case of Rolf Harris, whom he lived near to in Bray, Berkshire, as another situation where the media arrived at his home before police.

He said: “It’s not right. Particularly at that point, he was not charged with anything. I just feel that they should tread more softly and we should be more considerate of everybody’s feelings and claims and rights in this ...

“We should pursue people, of course, who have done wrong. That is indisputably the police’s job.

“What I am concerned about is the manner in which they go about it and the manner in which the media follow through.”

Sir Michael was scathing of the “social network”, calling it “a urinal with writing on the wall”, saying that because he does not use social media he was unaware of rumours circulating about Sir Cliff.

He said: “That’s had a detrimental part to play too in the way we absorb our news and the way that the media follow through.”