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| Sir Cliff Richard's Berkshire property searched by police | Sir Cliff Richard's Berkshire property searched by police |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police are searching a Berkshire property belonging to Sir Cliff Richard in relation to an alleged historical sex offence. | Police are searching a Berkshire property belonging to Sir Cliff Richard in relation to an alleged historical sex offence. |
| No arrests have been made and Sir Cliff, who is out of the country, said the allegation was "completely false". | |
| Police spokesman Det Supt Matt Fenwick said the allegation involved a boy under 16 and dated from the 1980s in the South Yorkshire area. | |
| The search in Sunningdale is being carried out by South Yorkshire Police. | |
| The investigation is not connected to Operation Yewtree and police said officers from that operation - set up by the Metropolitan Police to investigate hundreds of allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal - had been notified. | |
| Thames Valley Police said it had assisted the South Yorkshire force with the execution of a search warrant at the property. | |
| Eight plain-clothed police officers in five unmarked cars arrived to conduct the search. | |
| Allegations denied | |
| Sir Cliff has responded to the police search of his apartment in a statement, which said: "For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online. | |
| "The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen. | |
| "However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear to the press. | |
| "I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will cooperate fully should the police wish to speak to me. Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded." | |
| Sir Cliff's representative Phil Hall said the singer would not be conducting interviews at this time. | |
| According to the BBC's Tom Burridge in the Algarve, Portugal, the singer left his home there on Thursday morning and has travelled with his sister to another part of Portugal for a few days. | |
| The singer, born Harry Webb, is one of the most successful British musicians of all time. | The singer, born Harry Webb, is one of the most successful British musicians of all time. |
| He has sold 21.5 million singles - more than any other male British artist - and is the only performer to have had at least one UK top five album in each of the last seven decades. | He has sold 21.5 million singles - more than any other male British artist - and is the only performer to have had at least one UK top five album in each of the last seven decades. |
| He has represented the UK in the Eurovision song contest twice and in 2013 released the 100th album of his career. | He has represented the UK in the Eurovision song contest twice and in 2013 released the 100th album of his career. |
| He was knighted in 1995 and performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012. | He was knighted in 1995 and performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012. |