Richard raid helicopter defended

BBC bosses have defended the use of a helicopter during coverage of a police raid on Sir Cliff Richard’s home following a child sex assault allegation.

Lawyers representing the BBC yesterday told a judge overseeing a High Court trial that shots had been taken from the air to illustrate the story.

Barrister Gavin Millar, QC, told Mr Justice Mann that footage broadcast had shown what police were doing. He said shots were used sparingly and nothing “private” had been broadcast.

Sircliffhassuedthebbcover coverage of a South Yorkshire Police search on his home in August 2014 and wants damages at the “top end” of the scale.

The 77-year-old singer, who was abroad when police searched, has told Mr Justice Mann that coverage, which involved the use of a helicopter, was a “very serious invasion” of his privacy. The BBC disputes his claims. Bosses say coverage of the search of the apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, was accurate and in good faith.

Mr Justice Mann has finished analysing evidence.

He is now considering barristers’ closing legal arguments.

“Officers were shown walking in and out,” Mr Millar told Mr Justice Mann.

“It was not directed at (Sir Cliff’s) home but directed at what the police officers were doing.”