Sir Cliff Richard settles row with South Yorkshire Police over raid on his home

Sir Cliff Richard has accepted a payout from South Yorkshire Police after demanding "substantial damages" over the force disclosing his private information to the BBC.

The 76-year-old sued the the force's chief constable and the corporation for breach of privacy and misuse of private information following "humiliating" broadcasts naming him as an alleged child abuser in August 2014.

The coverage of a police raid at Sir Cliff's apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, said he had been accused of a historical sex offence against a boy under 16 in the 1980s.

Sir Cliff denied the allegation "as soon as it was brought to his attention" and in June 2016 prosecutors announced that he would face no charges. The investigation was dropped.

The High Court on Friday heard Sir Cliff has since filed for "substantial damages" from the force, who apologised and accepted that their conduct was "unlawful".

Speaking yesterday, barrister Justin Rushbrooke QC, who headed the singer's legal team, told the court: "I am pleased to announce that South Yorkshire Police has now recognised that its conduct was unlawful and has agreed to pay the claimant a substantial sum by way of general and aggravated damages to compensate for its conduct, as well as appropriate sums in respect of the financial damage and legal costs incurred by the claimant."

He had earlier said police had indicated that they had co-operated with the BBC after a reporter said he was aware of an investigation into Sir Cliff in an bid to protect the "integrity" of their inquiry.

He said the decision caused "significant distress" to Sir Cliff, adding: "The BBC's coverage of the search was shocking, humiliating and embarrassing for him and attracted immediate worldwide attention, as a result he suffered profound and long-lasting damage and distress, and his reputation has been forever tainted."

Adam Wolanski, representing the force's chief constable, said: "The force accepts that the claimant's private information should not have been disclosed to the BBC and that its reason for doing so, namely to protect the integrity of its investigation, was not an adequate reason for doing so.

"It acknowledges that its conduct in this regard was unlawful and offers its sincere apologies to the claimant for the distress and humiliation he has suffered."

Mr Rushbrooke QC did not say how much South Yorkshire Police had agreed to pay. 

The case against the BBC is ongoing and will be brought to trial "as soon as possible", it was said.

Editors at the corporation have said they will "defend ourselves vigorously". A spokesman added that the BBC had reported Sir Cliff's "full denial of the allegations at every stage".