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Police hand Cliff Richard sexual abuse claims to prosecutors, sources say Police hand Cliff Richard sexual abuse claims to prosecutors, sources say
(about 1 hour later)
Prosecutors are considering whether to bring charges against the veteran entertainer Sir Cliff Richard over historical allegations of sexual abuse. Prosecutors are considering whether to bring charges against the veteran entertainer Sir Cliff Richard over allegations of historical sexual abuse.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it would “carefully consider” the file of evidence received from South Yorkshire police to see if there was a realistic prospect of conviction. The Crown Prosecution Service was handed a file of evidence from South Yorkshire police on Tuesday to consider whether there was a realistic prospect of conviction over an allegation Richard sexually assaulted a young boy in the 1980s.
Richard, who denies any wrongdoing, has spoken to police twice as part of their investigation, which included a raid on his Berkshire home in 2014. The 75-year-old pop star, who has had a string of No 1 hits, including Living Doll and Congratulations, has been interviewed under caution by the police force but has not been formally arrested or charged. He denies any wrongdoing and would not comment on the most recent developments.
A CPS spokesman said: “We have received a full file of evidence from South Yorkshire police. We will now carefully consider its contents in line with the code for crown prosecutors, in order to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and whether it is in the public interest to do so.” It has been previously reported that Richard had been accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old at a Christian rally led by the US evangelist Billy Graham in Sheffield in 1985.
A South Yorkshire police spokeswoman said: “Investigation files relating to allegations of non-recent sexual abuse involving a 75-year-old man have been handed over to the CPS. The CPS will now consider the matter and SYP awaits their decision.” Details of the inquiry into the allegations emerged in August 2014 when the BBC revealed police officers had raided the singer’s Berkshire home. The BBC showed helicopter footage of detectives entering the singer’s property after the broadcaster was tipped off about the raid.
The CPS did not name Richard, 75, but sources said he was the subject of the file. An inquiry by MPs on the home affairs select committee found that it was wrong of South Yorkshire police to publicly confirm Richard’s name as a suspect and to then “cut a deal” with the broadcaster.
More details soon … A report commissioned by the county’s former police and crime commissioner also found that the move “certainly interfered with his privacy and may well have caused unnecessary distress”.
The CPS said on Tuesday it would now consider the evidence compiled by police.
A CPS spokeswoman said: “We have received a full file of evidence from South Yorkshire police.
“We will now carefully consider its contents in line with the code for crown prosecutors, in order to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and whether it is in the public interest to do so.”
A South Yorkshire police spokeswoman said: “Investigation files relating to allegations of non-recent sexual abuse involving a 75 year-old man have been handed over to the CPS. The CPS will now consider the matter and SYP awaits their decision.”
A spokesman for Richard said: “It would be inappropriate to comment while the matter is under review.’’