BBC will not challenge Richard privacy ruling

The BBC has said it will not challenge a High Court judge’s ruling after it lost a legal battle with Sir Cliff Richard over its coverage of a police raid on his home.

The 77-year-old singer sued over BBC coverage of a South Yorkshire Police search of his home in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August 2014, after a child sex assault allegation.

Earlier this month Mr Justice Mann ruled in Sir Cliff’s favour following a High Court trial in London.

The judge concluded the BBC’S coverage was a “very serious” invasion of the singer’s privacy and awarded Sir Cliff £210,000 damages.

He said the award would be made up of £190,000 to cover the “general effect” cover- 0 Sir Cliff Richard: sued over BBC coverage of police raid

age had on Sir Cliff ’s life, plus £20,000 because the BBC had aggravated harm by nominating coverage for an award.

The BBC was refused permission to challenge the ruling by Mr Justice Mann at a hearing in July. The corporation yesterday said it would no longer be pursuing an appeal against the judgment.