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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/dec/07/bbc-disputes-cliff-richard-payout-claim-over-police-raid-coverage
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| BBC disputes Cliff Richard payout claim over police raid coverage | |
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| BBC bosses have drawn up a defence case after Sir Cliff Richard took legal action in the wake of reports naming him as a suspected sex offender. | BBC bosses have drawn up a defence case after Sir Cliff Richard took legal action in the wake of reports naming him as a suspected sex offender. |
| They deny the singer is entitled to compensation after publicity about a raid on his home in August 2014. Detail of the BBC’s defence has emerged in paperwork lodged by lawyers at the high court in London pending any court hearings. | They deny the singer is entitled to compensation after publicity about a raid on his home in August 2014. Detail of the BBC’s defence has emerged in paperwork lodged by lawyers at the high court in London pending any court hearings. |
| The singer sued the BBC and South Yorkshire police in the wake of coverage of the raid, and said the BBC had added “insult to injury” by entering its coverage for a “scoop of the year” award. His lawyers say he suffered “profound and long-lasting” damage. He is alleging that his privacy was invaded and wants “very substantial” damages. | The singer sued the BBC and South Yorkshire police in the wake of coverage of the raid, and said the BBC had added “insult to injury” by entering its coverage for a “scoop of the year” award. His lawyers say he suffered “profound and long-lasting” damage. He is alleging that his privacy was invaded and wants “very substantial” damages. |
| Detail of the complaints emerged in October. Richard’s lawyers say he has sold the apartment that was raided because the idea of living somewhere that had been “so publicly violated” distressed him. | Detail of the complaints emerged in October. Richard’s lawyers say he has sold the apartment that was raided because the idea of living somewhere that had been “so publicly violated” distressed him. |
| They say the furore threw his “creative and business plans” into disarray and forced him to delay the release of an album of rock’n’roll classics. He is said to have run up more than £1m in lawyers’ bills. | They say the furore threw his “creative and business plans” into disarray and forced him to delay the release of an album of rock’n’roll classics. He is said to have run up more than £1m in lawyers’ bills. |
| Richard’s lawyers say the BBC broadcast a “major story” on the day of the raid after making an agreement with South Yorkshire police. They say the force contravened guidance on “relationships with the media”. | Richard’s lawyers say the BBC broadcast a “major story” on the day of the raid after making an agreement with South Yorkshire police. They say the force contravened guidance on “relationships with the media”. |
| BBC lawyers said in a written defence that they accepted Richard had suffered distress, and bosses had apologised, but they disputed the compensation claims. | BBC lawyers said in a written defence that they accepted Richard had suffered distress, and bosses had apologised, but they disputed the compensation claims. |
| “It is denied that the claimant is entitled to damages or compensation as alleged at all,” said Gavin Millar QC, who is heading the BBC’s legal team. “It is admitted that the claimant suffered distress. The BBC has already told the claimant it is very sorry that this was the case.” | “It is denied that the claimant is entitled to damages or compensation as alleged at all,” said Gavin Millar QC, who is heading the BBC’s legal team. “It is admitted that the claimant suffered distress. The BBC has already told the claimant it is very sorry that this was the case.” |
| A BBC spokeswoman said on Wednesday: “As we have said on several occasions, we are very sorry that Sir Cliff Richard has suffered distress. However, we have now submitted our response to this claim and will defend ourselves vigorously. | A BBC spokeswoman said on Wednesday: “As we have said on several occasions, we are very sorry that Sir Cliff Richard has suffered distress. However, we have now submitted our response to this claim and will defend ourselves vigorously. |
| “Our position has not changed from what we’ve said previously. It is the BBC’s responsibility to report fully stories that are in the public interest. Police investigations into prominent figures in public life are, of course, squarely in the public interest, which is why they have been reported by all news organisations in this country.” | “Our position has not changed from what we’ve said previously. It is the BBC’s responsibility to report fully stories that are in the public interest. Police investigations into prominent figures in public life are, of course, squarely in the public interest, which is why they have been reported by all news organisations in this country.” |
| She continued: “Once the South Yorkshire police had confirmed the investigation and Sir Cliff Richard’s identity and informed the BBC of the timing and details of the search of his property, it would neither have been editorially responsible nor in the public interest to choose not to report fully the investigation into Sir Cliff Richard because of his public profile. | She continued: “Once the South Yorkshire police had confirmed the investigation and Sir Cliff Richard’s identity and informed the BBC of the timing and details of the search of his property, it would neither have been editorially responsible nor in the public interest to choose not to report fully the investigation into Sir Cliff Richard because of his public profile. |
| “The BBC, at every stage, reported Sir Cliff’s full denial of the allegations. The BBC, therefore, stands by the decision to report the investigation undertaken by the South Yorkshire police and the search of his property.” | “The BBC, at every stage, reported Sir Cliff’s full denial of the allegations. The BBC, therefore, stands by the decision to report the investigation undertaken by the South Yorkshire police and the search of his property.” |
| She said Richard had argued that the identity of people being investigated over historical allegations should not be made public until they were charged. | She said Richard had argued that the identity of people being investigated over historical allegations should not be made public until they were charged. |
| “This view raises significant questions about the scrutiny of the police and public confidence that allegations are investigated. That said, we respect the fact that he is making an important statement in the debate over balancing privacy rights with the public interest,” the spokeswoman said. | “This view raises significant questions about the scrutiny of the police and public confidence that allegations are investigated. That said, we respect the fact that he is making an important statement in the debate over balancing privacy rights with the public interest,” the spokeswoman said. |
| “Ultimately, though, deciding whether people should remain anonymous while the subject of a police investigation is a matter for parliament. The home affairs select committee reviewed the editorial decisions made by the BBC and concluded: ‘We see nothing wrong in their decision to run the story.’” | “Ultimately, though, deciding whether people should remain anonymous while the subject of a police investigation is a matter for parliament. The home affairs select committee reviewed the editorial decisions made by the BBC and concluded: ‘We see nothing wrong in their decision to run the story.’” |