Sir Cliff Raid Caused 'Irreparable Damage'

A highly-publicised raid on the home of singer Sir Cliff Richard was "inept" and caused "irreparable damage" to his reputation, according to an influential group of MPs.

South Yorkshire Police, which has faced severe criticism in recent weeks over its handling of the Rotherham abuse scandal, worked exclusively with the BBC to broadcast live footage of officers searching Sir Cliff's home in Berkshire last August.

The force agreed to allow BBC News both to name the 74-year-old star and to broadcast the search operation, despite the fact the singer had not been questioned, arrested, or charged with any offence.

South Yorkshire's Chief Constable told the Home Affairs Select Committee his force had decided to work with the Corporation because BBC reporter Dan Johnson had been aware of the investigation.

Officers feared the broadcaster would potentially compromise the inquiry by revealing details of the probe prematurely.

In its report, the Home Affairs Select Committee said the police force should have refused to cooperate and explained to senior BBC News executives why broadcasting the story could have prejudiced the investigation.

Although the search operation was big news, Sir Cliff said he had only found out about it when the media contacted him for comment.

He said he had been forced to watch the search live on television from his holiday home on the Algarve.

Home Affairs Committee chair Keith Vaz said: "South Yorkshire Police's handling of this situation was utterly inept.

"The force allowed itself to hand over sensitive information to a journalist and granted him privileged access to the execution of a search warrant."

Officers searched the star's home after receiving an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16.

A BBC News crew was outside the gated development in Sunningdale, where Sir Cliff has a penthouse apartment, before police arrived.

The group of MPs said it found "nothing wrong" with the BBC decision to run the story given that it had information about the investigation, as well as the timing and location of the search.

But lawyers acting for Sir Cliff released a statement disputing the BBC's claim that the select committee report had confirmed the Corporation had "behaved perfectly properly".

A spokesman for law firm Michael Simkins said: "Leaving aside the actions of the police, the actions of the BBC have caused very serious harm to our client at a time when he had not been interviewed by the police, or of course arrested or charged."

South Yorkshire Police told MPs that reporter Dan Johnson had claimed the tip-off about the investigation came from Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree, the investigation into allegations against Jimmy Savile and others.

Mr Johnson denies making any such claim.

Scotland Yard said: "To date, the Metropolitan Police Service has found no evidence to substantiate the damaging and we believe, unfounded allegation that Operation Yewtree was the source of leaked information to the BBC regarding South Yorkshire Police's investigation."

Recent reports suggest Sir Cliff Richard is now considering selling his multi-million pound home, which he only bought six years ago.

In its report, the Home Affairs Select Committee said: "We can understand his feelings ... no citizen should have to watch on live television their home being raided in this way."

The MPs also highlighted the "enormous, irreparable damage" suffered by Sir Cliff, given he has not been arrested or charged.

South Yorkshire police said: "Whilst we believe our actions were within policy and were well intended, they were ultimately flawed and we regret the additional anxiety which was caused to Sir Cliff Richard."