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| Sir Cliff Richard sex abuse inquiry: No charges for singer | Sir Cliff Richard sex abuse inquiry: No charges for singer |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Singer Sir Cliff Richard will face no further action over allegations of historical sex abuse, prosecutors say. | Singer Sir Cliff Richard will face no further action over allegations of historical sex abuse, prosecutors say. |
| The Crown Prosecution Service said it had "carefully reviewed" the case and decided there was "insufficient evidence to prosecute". | The Crown Prosecution Service said it had "carefully reviewed" the case and decided there was "insufficient evidence to prosecute". |
| Sir Cliff said he was "obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close". | Sir Cliff said he was "obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close". |
| Four men claimed offences took place between 1958 and 1983, the CPS said. | Four men claimed offences took place between 1958 and 1983, the CPS said. |
| In a statement, Sir Cliff said: "After almost two years under police investigation I learnt today that they have finally closed their enquiries. | In a statement, Sir Cliff said: "After almost two years under police investigation I learnt today that they have finally closed their enquiries. |
| "I have always maintained my innocence, cooperated fully with the investigation, and cannot understand why it has taken so long to get to this point." | "I have always maintained my innocence, cooperated fully with the investigation, and cannot understand why it has taken so long to get to this point." |
| He criticised the "high-profile fumbling of my case from day one." | |
| "Other than in exceptional cases, people who are facing allegations should never be named publicly until charged," Sir Cliff said. | |
| "I was named before I was even interviewed and for me that was like being hung out like 'live bait'." | |
| Filmed raid | Filmed raid |
| He added: "Ever since the highly-publicised and BBC-filmed raid on my home I have chosen not to speak publicly. | He added: "Ever since the highly-publicised and BBC-filmed raid on my home I have chosen not to speak publicly. |
| "Even though I was under pressure to 'speak out', other than to state my innocence, which was easy for me to do as I have never molested anyone in my life, I chose to remain silent." | "Even though I was under pressure to 'speak out', other than to state my innocence, which was easy for me to do as I have never molested anyone in my life, I chose to remain silent." |
| Last year an independent investigation concluded that South Yorkshire Police should not have released "highly confidential" information to the BBC about a planned search of Sir Cliff Richard's home. | |
| In a statement, South Yorkshire Police apologised "wholeheartedly for the additional anxiety caused" to Sir Cliff by the force's "initial handling of the media interest" in its investigation. | In a statement, South Yorkshire Police apologised "wholeheartedly for the additional anxiety caused" to Sir Cliff by the force's "initial handling of the media interest" in its investigation. |
| The force added: "Non-recent allegations are, by their very nature, complex and difficult matters to investigate and can take a considerable amount of time. | The force added: "Non-recent allegations are, by their very nature, complex and difficult matters to investigate and can take a considerable amount of time. |
| "We appreciate that waiting for a conclusion will undoubtedly have caused additional distress to all those involved and we have made every effort to ensure this has been as timely as possible. | "We appreciate that waiting for a conclusion will undoubtedly have caused additional distress to all those involved and we have made every effort to ensure this has been as timely as possible. |
| "However, it is in the interests of justice to investigate such matters thoroughly." | "However, it is in the interests of justice to investigate such matters thoroughly." |
| Martin Goldman, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "The CPS worked with police during the investigation. This has helped minimise the time needed to reach a decision once we received the complete file of evidence on 10 May. | Martin Goldman, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "The CPS worked with police during the investigation. This has helped minimise the time needed to reach a decision once we received the complete file of evidence on 10 May. |
| "The complainants have been informed and provided with a full explanation in writing." | "The complainants have been informed and provided with a full explanation in writing." |