15 August 2014

Sir Cliff Richard's property searched by police


The BBC has an article by Danny Shaw, BBC home affairs correspondent, about a police action in Britain:
Police have searched a Berkshire property (photo) belonging to Sir Cliff Richard in relation to an alleged historical sex offense. No arrests have been made and Richard, 73, who is abroad, said the allegation was "completely false". Police said the allegation involved a boy under sixteen.
The BBC understands it relates to an alleged sexual assault at a 1985 event where US preacher Billy Graham appeared at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. The allegation is believed to have been reported to police recently.
The search in Sunningdale was carried out by the South Yorkshire Police, which told the BBC it did not force entry to the property. 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.
In his statement, Sir Cliff Richard complained that the press appeared to have been given advance notice that his home in Berkshire was to be searched, whereas he had not been. He was referring to the reporters and camera crew from the BBC, who were outside when police arrived.
It used to be common practice for police to let reporters know they were about to raid a celebrity's house, or make a high-profile arrest. It was part of the trade of information and favors between cops and hacks that has so recently fallen into disrepute. Procedures began to change in 2008, when the High Court considered the lawfulness of a search at the home of the football manager Harry Redknapp, who was being investigated for fraud. The court described as "understandable" his complaint that journalists from the Sun had been present.
Two years ago, the Leveson Inquiry concluded that police operations involving the media should be "controlled more tightly" to avoid the "perception of favoritism" and the "risk of violating the private rights of individuals".
Since then, tip offs have dried to a trickle, despite a series of high profile arrests. The media presence at Sir Cliff Richard's home, therefore, was highly unusual, and appears to be a deliberate attempt by police to ensure maximum coverage. That's not illegal, but there are strict guidelines, and the force may have to justify its approach in the months to come.
line
Ricahrds 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."
Richard's spokesman 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 recently 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.
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 hundredth album of his career.
He was knighted in 1995, and performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012.
Rico says that, if this is true, being famous won't save him...

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