Living hell

Sir Cliff Richard going ‘all guns blazing’ as BBC refuse to pay out over the screening of police raid

Star accuses Beeb of 'misuse of private information' but broadcaster stands firm in £1million dispute

annabelle howard

Published: 4:35, 28 Aug 2016

BBC bosses are remaining defiant over their decision to screen a police raid on Sir Cliff Richard’s home.

The taxpayer-funded broadcaster believes showing the live footage was justified in the £1million legal row with the 75-year-old singer.

Row . . . Sir Cliff Richard is seeking compensation after the Beeb filmed police raid on his home — Row . . . Sir Cliff Richard is seeking compensation after the Beeb filmed police raid on his homeCredit: PA:Press Association

TV crews filmed the search live when he was accused of historical sex offences in 2014.

Sir Cliff accused the Beeb of “misuse of private information”.

A source said: “The BBC have told Sir Cliff’s team that they are in no doubt everything was done by the book.

Under surveillance . . . a view of the luxury Charters apartments, Berkshire, where Sir Cliff Richard lived at the time of the raid — Under surveillance . . . a view of the luxury Charters apartments, Berkshire, where Sir Cliff Richard lived at the time of the raidCredit: Alamy

Without a trace . . . the star is still seeking compensation two years after his home was raided for evidence — Without a trace . . . the star is still seeking compensation two years after his home was raided for evidenceCredit: PA:Press Association

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In the spotlight . . . there was huge media interest surrounding Cliff's case after the BBC filmed the police raid on his home — In the spotlight . . . there was huge media interest surrounding Cliff's case after the BBC filmed the police raid on his homeCredit: Fame Flynet

“They have said that the journalist who was given the story at the BBC went to the head of news, who contacted BBC legal and head of legal and even consulted an external media lawyer to clarify their position.

“This took three full days. It was not a spur of the moment thing to broadcast the raid.

“It was planned and strategic for the entire broadcast of the story.

“The BBC is steadfast that this is a public interest story and they were only following a legitimate tip off from a national constabulary.”

Private lives . . . Sir Cliff has accused the Beeb of “misuse of private information” — Private lives . . . Sir Cliff has accused the Beeb of “misuse of private information”Credit: Ruckas

They added Sir Cliff is going “all guns blazing” for South Yorks Police, for tipping off the Beeb.

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