Despite Sir Cliff Richard’s innocence, the BBC must win their free-speech fight on appeal
The Sun has every sympathy for Sir Cliff but giving suspects anonymity under human rights law elevates their privacy over free speech
THE privacy ruling in Sir Cliff Richard’s favour is profoundly dangerous and a devastating affront to Press freedom.
Effectively handing all suspects a new right to anonymity until charged is also far too fundamental a change to be made by one judge at the stroke of a pen.
Not only must the BBC appeal and win, the Government must legislate so police can name suspects once arrested, with the Press able to report it.
The Sun has every sympathy for Sir Cliff and his two-year ordeal. We have criticised police for their hysterical pursuit of VIPs, and presumption of guilt, over the thinnest of sex allegations.
But to rule his privacy was breached unlawfully by him being named when his home was raided will do criminal investigations immense harm.
Sir Cliff was not arrested, but lawyers will expect anonymity for clients who are. And some cases only proceed because publicity brings forward more victims.
Stuart Hall is a famous example. Naming him established a pattern of predatory behaviour without which he would not have been jailed.
Secrecy in our justice system and public life is already excessive.
Nor is it for the Human Rights Act to elevate their privacy over free speech and the people’s right to know.
Boris barrage
AS so often, Boris Johnson hits the nail on the head.
He says a “fog of self-doubt” engulfed the Government’s Brexit negotiation. It has “dithered” and agreed a “miserable, permanent limbo” at Chequers.
It’s hard to argue. A Downing Street full of Remainers succumbed to every Brexit scare story and EU trick. It now sees its role as mere damage limitation.
But Boris also claims: “It is not too late to save Brexit. We have changed tack and we can change again.”
If the ex-Foreign Secretary has a tougher plan that can win over a Commons majority and the EU we’re anxious to hear it.
Better be ready
NO deal grows more likely by the hour.
Our Government’s failure to prepare — specifically Chancellor Philip Hammond’s refusal to release the money — could prove catastrophic.
The Dutch aren’t making that mistake.
They’re not worried about “hard Brexit”, just “chaotic Brexit”. So they have hired 1,000 extra customs officers.
most read in opinion
Brussels is vanishingly unlikely to accept Mrs May’s plan unless she makes more big compromises she cannot agree to without destroying her Government.
If we are not ready for a no deal by next March 29 it will be down to Government negligence on an unimaginable scale.