CLIFF CASE
What happened at Cliff Richard’s home in Sunningdale, Berkshire, when was the police raid and why did he sue the BBC?
SIR Cliff Richard spectacularly won his High Court privacy case against the BBC over its coverage of a police raid on his home.
The broadcaster was taken to court for airing the "invasive" 2014 police raid over an alleged sex attack - here’s more on what happened in court...
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What happened at Cliff Richard's home in Sunningdale?
Cops searched his apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August 2014 as part of an investigation into a historical child sex abuse allegation.
Lawyers said an unnamed man made an allegation in late 2013 to officers from the Metropolitan Police.
He claimed he had been sexually assaulted by Sir Cliff at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane football stadium when a child in 1985.
Metropolitan Police officers then passed the allegation on to South Yorkshire Police in July 2014.
In 2016 prosecutors announced Sir Cliff - who strongly denied the claims against him - would face no charges.
He went on to face separate claims from four men - all of which were dismissed.
One accuser was a convicted sex offender.
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What has happened in Sir Cliff's High Court case against the BBC?
- April 12: The pop singer's lawyers said the BBC coverage of the raid on his home was a "very serious invasion" of privacy, while Sir Cliff appeared emotional as coverage of the search on his property was played in court.
- April 13: Sir Cliff told the court he feared he would have a "heart attack" following the scandal and said he felt "forever tainted" by the allegations. The legendary entertainer, who wept in court, said he had never returned to his Berkshire home which he said feels "contaminated" following the police raid.
- April 16: The court heard how BBC reporter Dan Johnson had written in his notes that South Yorkshire Police considered arresting the singer and well-known tennis fan at Wimbledon. Police denied this and Sir Cliff was never arrested or charged. Chief investigator Det Supt Matthew Fenwick claims that Johnson "blackmailed" the police into getting an exclusive after he discovered the investigation into the Wired For Sound hitmaker.
- July 18: The singer won his High Court privacy case against the BBC on grounds of an invasion of privacy.
Why did Sir Cliff sue the BBC?
Sir Cliff called for the broadcaster to pay him "very substantial" damages after live reporting the raid.
A BBC reporter had gained prior knowledge of the swoop and the corporation broadcast it as it unfolded, naming the star in reporting.
Live footage from a helicopter was beamed around the world.
The star was abroad at the time and is said to have been shocked and humiliated by the event.
He took his case to the High Court in London – the hearing began on Thursday, April 12 2018.
In court, Mr Rushbrooke QC argued that Sir Cliff "was subjected to media intrusion that no citizen should ever have to experience".
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What did the BBC say at the time?
BBC editors said the would defend themselves "vigorously" and in court blamed the situation on South Yorkshire Police.
The broadcasting giant said the force was attempting to "shoot its messenger".
The news team argued that it got a tip-off from South Yorkshire Police about the raid and was simply reporting the facts in the public interest.
The broadcaster's legal team told the court their reporting "fully respected the presumption of innocence" of the singer.
In his opening statement on behalf of the BBC, Gavin Millar QC said that Sir Cliff's position meant that he did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
He went on to argue that the BBC reporter was "exercising a fundamental human right of freedom of expression".
LATEST ON SIR CLIFF
How much compensation has he been awarded?
The 77-year-old has been awarded £210,000 in damages after taking the BBC to court over a serious breach of privacy.
Announcing his ruling, Mr Justice Mann said the BBC had infringed the star's privacy rights in a "serious and sensationalist way".
He added that the star would be entitled to claim further sums for any financial impact the broadcast made on his career.
A decision on further compensation pay-outs is set to be made at a later date.
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