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MPs to quiz BBC and police bosses over Cliff Richard raid MPs to quiz BBC and police bosses over Cliff Richard raid
(35 minutes later)
The bosses of the BBC and South Yorkshire Police have been summoned before MPs in connection with a recent raid on Sir Cliff Richard's home.The bosses of the BBC and South Yorkshire Police have been summoned before MPs in connection with a recent raid on Sir Cliff Richard's home.
Home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz has asked them to explain how the BBC knew of the search in advance.Home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz has asked them to explain how the BBC knew of the search in advance.
BBC director general Tony Hall has said BBC journalists "acted appropriately" in their coverage of the police raid.BBC director general Tony Hall has said BBC journalists "acted appropriately" in their coverage of the police raid.
Chief Constable David Crompton has accused the BBC of a "cover-up" afterwards over what it had known. But Chief Constable David Crompton has accused the BBC of a "cover-up" afterwards over what it had known.
Mr Vaz said the accusation was "a matter of deep concern".Mr Vaz said the accusation was "a matter of deep concern".
The search of Sir Cliff's home related to an alleged historical sex offence in Yorkshire, which the singer denies.The search of Sir Cliff's home related to an alleged historical sex offence in Yorkshire, which the singer denies.
BBC cameras and a reporter were outside the gates to Sir Cliff's property in Sunningdale when eight police officers arrived. BBC cameras and a reporter were outside the gates to Sir Cliff's property in Sunningdale, Berkshire, when eight police officers arrived on 14 August.
The BBC has received hundreds of complaints related to its reporting.The BBC has received hundreds of complaints related to its reporting.
South Yorkshire Police has said it was contacted some weeks ago by a BBC reporter "who made it clear he knew of the existence of an investigation" and "it was agreed that the reporter would be notified of the date of the house search in return for delaying publication of any of the facts". Mr Vaz later wrote to the BBC and South Yorkshire Police asking them to explain what agreement was struck between their organisations.
In the days following the raid, the force complained to Lord Hall and said the BBC appeared to have broken its own editorial guidelines. 'Misleading and inaccurate'
In his reply, Mr Crompton said the force had been approached before the raid by a BBC journalist, who had detailed information about the investigation into Sir Cliff.
He said the force had "reluctantly agreed" to give the reporter prior notice of the raid "in order to dissuade the corporation from publishing details of the investigation".
"It was not done in order to maximise publicity, contrary to some press reports," Mr Crompton said.
He said an article appeared on the BBC News website later on the day of the raid that suggested there had been a "deliberate attempt by police to ensure maximum coverage".
This was "misleading and was known by the BBC to be inaccurate", Mr Crompton said.
He said the force had contacted the BBC, which had refused to withdraw or change the article.
"This appeared to be an attempt by the BBC to distance itself from what had taken place and cover up the fact that it had initiated contact with the force about the story."
'Sensitive issue''Sensitive issue'
Mr Vaz had written to the BBC and South Yorkshire Police asking them to explain what agreement was struck between their organisations. In his letter to Mr Vaz on Thursday, Lord Hall said "the media has a right to report on matters of public interest".
On Friday, after receiving letters from both sides, Mr Vaz said: "These are serious matters which deal with the sensitive issue of how the police conduct their investigations. "The disclosure of a sex abuse allegation against Sir Cliff Richard and the police search of his property was clearly a significant story and the BBC was not alone in providing extensive coverage."
He said the BBC would not provide details about its source or "elaborate on detail of our editorial processes".
After receiving the letters, Mr Vaz said: "These are serious matters which deal with the sensitive issue of how the police conduct their investigations.
"The balance between mass and individual public interest must be struck appropriately and the relationships between the police and the media must always be ethical.""The balance between mass and individual public interest must be struck appropriately and the relationships between the police and the media must always be ethical."
Mr Vaz said the information provided to him in the letters "raises even more questions".Mr Vaz said the information provided to him in the letters "raises even more questions".
"In his letter the chief constable accuses the BBC of a 'cover-up' which is a matter of deep concern," Mr Vaz said."In his letter the chief constable accuses the BBC of a 'cover-up' which is a matter of deep concern," Mr Vaz said.
He said Lord Hall and Mr Crompton had been asked to appear before his committee on 2 September.He said Lord Hall and Mr Crompton had been asked to appear before his committee on 2 September.
"I have also written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ask him what investigation he is proposing to initiate about how this information was leaked prior to the investigation arriving in South Yorkshire," Mr Vaz said."I have also written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ask him what investigation he is proposing to initiate about how this information was leaked prior to the investigation arriving in South Yorkshire," Mr Vaz said.