BBC, police agreement over Sir Cliff Richard's house raid criticised

Members of the media report from outside the Charters Estate, in Berkshire, England, where British singer Cliff Richard has an apartment. Photo / AP

An agreement between the BBC and police which led to a raid on Sir Cliff Richard's home being broadcast live around the world "certainly interfered with his privacy and may well have caused unnecessary distress", an independent report says.

A former chief constable has said South Yorkshire Police (SYP) should never have a made a deal with the broadcaster - a decision taken after BBC reporter Dan Johnson went to the force saying he knew they were investigating the veteran entertainer.

In his report, Andy Trotter said: "The search at Sir Cliff Richard's apartment, and the nature of the allegation, generated considerable publicity across the world, certainly interfered with his privacy and may well have caused unnecessary distress."

"Whatever the motivation and good intentions of those involved from SYP, the outcome has been bad publicity for the force, the Chief Constable being summoned to HASC (Home Affairs Select Committee), criticism from the media and politicians, complaints from the public, abuse on social media and a public spat with the BBC.

"More importantly, people have seen a search on Sir Cliff Richards's apartment unfold on television with details of a serious allegation put into the public domain prior to him being interviewed by the police.

"The force can argue that the search was carried out successfully and there was no interference to the investigation that the threat of prior publication was avoided.

"That is true but at considerable cost to the reputation of the force which could have been avoided by the individuals concerned."

Mr Trotter's report was ordered by former South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright after detectives searched the 74-year-old star's Berkshire apartment in August while film crews from the corporation, including one in a helicopter, caught the event on camera.

It was released by the PCC's office following a Freedom of Information request.

Following the raid, Sir Cliff was interviewed by detectives investigating a claim of a sex crime involving a young boy, but was not arrested or charged.

The report concluded South Yorkshire Police should not have confirmed "highly sensitive and confidential" details to the BBC or facilitated a meeting between a senior detective and a corporation reporter.

In October, MPs on the Home Affairs Committee branded South Yorkshire Police "inept" over their handling of the event and said the force should have refused to co-operate with the BBC.

- AAP