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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Cliff Richard home is being searched in Berkshire over alleged sex offence dating back to the 1980's.

http://news.sky.com/story/1318591/cliff-richards-home-searched-over-sex-claim

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Here is Sir Cliff Richard's statement in full after police started saerching his Berkshire home:

"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.
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"Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded."

Ian Robinson

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

His press secretary didn't know anything about allegations being circulated.

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

This person who has complained was "under 16" in the 1980s when the offence is alleged to have taken place. He would now be an adult aged at least 40 so I think it is very unfair that Cliff Richard has been named while the accuser's identity is protected. It doesn't seem right.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

I totally agree Eileen.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Toggy · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 1239

I agree too, Cliff Richard has not even been arrested!

Whatever happened to innocence before guilt?

childprufe · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 212 Location: lincolnshire

I cannot understand why Police searched his Sunningdale home. A warrant would only have been issued in order to obtain evidence relevant to the alleged offence. Cliff did not live there in the 80's and certainly did not own a computer - but you can bet your life they will be rummaging through his internet search records. This is a breach of legal process and would appear to be a breach of a person's rights to privacy - all so typical of most of the Op Yewtree arrests.
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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Anonymity should be given to those individuals unless convicted. The person who makes the allegations gets the right to.

essexlady · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 348 Location: Essex

Sir Cliff has complained, rightly I think, that the press were informed about the search of his property before he was. Why were the press informed at all?

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

South Yorkshire Police have admitted working with a media outlet before searching Sir Cliff Richard's home in Berkshire.

They said -"when they were contacted by the outlet with information about an investigation, they decided to work with them "to protect the integrity" of the probe."

They added: "Since the search took place a number of people have contacted the police to provide information and we must acknowledge that the media played a part in that, for which we are grateful".

Sir Cliff, 73, has complained he did not know officers were planning to search his penthouse apartment on the Charters Estate in Sunningdale and that he only learnt about it through media reports.

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

You're not helping him either by posting so many "update" comments about it here, Mark!

childprufe · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 212 Location: lincolnshire

There are any number of mentally disturbed people who fantasise about their sexual liaisons , not only with celebrities, who make allegations to Police in order to fulfil their fantasy. I recall the TV documentary of the 80's where a serial complainant was vigorously questioned by a detective prior to withdrawing her spurious allegation. The officer knew her history and the complaint was withdrawn. There was outrage at the time about the officer's methods and he was returned to uniform duties, but justice was done and the allegation was recognised as malicious.
Surely, if justice can be assisted by encouraging other supposed "victims" to come forward by naming the supposed perpetrator, then the same justice is served by naming the supposed victim, who may be identified by people he/she has previously accused.
And I have no time for any sexual deviants - I just have a deep concern for the preservation of human rights and justice.
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Standing on Ray Moore's shoulders

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Whilst I have to admit disliking Cliff Richard intensely because of his closeness to that well known war criminal Tony Blair wearing my lawyers hat it is clearly wrong that the police should be allowed to supply names to the media and effectively use the media to go on fishing expeditions in the hope that they nail someone who might be completely innocent

The BBC has a guilty conscience as a result of senior staff covering up the activities of Jimmy Savile and so now the organisation is trying to redeem its position by meeting out inappropriate negative coverage to certain celebrities
who might be seen as 'soft targets

The whole situation is very very worrying
Shocked

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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

BBC are to face MP's over the investigation which led to a search of Mr Richard home. The BBC have been accused of getting a tip off which led to them having a helicopter and camera up over his home before the police got there.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6814

Have just seen this online:

"Cliff Richard sex abuse allegations: Police hand 'full file of evidence' to prosecutors"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/cliff-richard-sex-abuse-allegations-police-hand-full-file-of-evidence-handed-to-prosecutors-a7022761.html

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Do bear in mind that it's the South Yorkshire Police Rolling Eyes

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

That was my thought Ian when I heard the news.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6814

Schizoidman · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 1140 Location: Rural West Sussex

Mine too! Prepare for more cover ups and falsifications.

Toggy · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 1239

Hmm, so the file has been handed over but he has STILL not been arrested.

I remain sceptical for the time being.

graham b · Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 211 Location: Wakefield

Not just South Yorkshire Police but the alleged offence was in the 80's at a football ground in Sheffield. Meanwhile they have officers appearing in court for using helicopters to take photos of naked sunbathers.