Cliff Richard

[howarddobson]

Great news today - let's hope they'll get the next reunion organised now

[leosden]

If you're not sure what the news is, the CPS have dropped the case against Cliff.
He's disappointed they haven't actually said he is cleared they are just saying the case is dropped through insufficient evidence.
It has been a very stressful couple of years for him not only with this case but with the loss of dear friends and family. Let us
hope that he can start really living again.
Pat

[Newliverman]

Great news today that Cliff has been cleared of all charges. This must have been a very harrowing time for him, his family and friends over such a long period not to mention the manner in which it was conducted.

Site moderator's comment

Great news today that Cliff has been cleared of all charges

For legal reasons, I must stress that this is inaccurate. There never were any charges, so nothing to be cleared of. There were allegations which have been investigated and found to be spurious. He should never have been named in the first place.

[Mikey]

Great news indeed. Congratulations even!

[drakula63]

Delighted to hear it.

The whole sorry saga dragged on for far too long and should never have been allowed to happen in the first place. South Yorkshire police have issued an apology, and it is my feeling that the Biased Broadcasting Corporation (sometimes known as the BBC) should do likewise. Although knowing them, as I do, that is unlikely. Sorry if this offends anyone who works for them!

The correct but inevitable conclusion to this unsavoury affair.

Hopefully now Sir Cliff can put it all behind him and move on - and, of course, Move It!!!!

[drakula63]

A couple of comments (neither by me!) that I have found on the web. Hard to disagree quite frankly...

This has taken two years, absolutely disgraceful behavior by the police, CPS and the BBC, some heads needs to roll, and let it start by the guy called Nick who made up the allegations, followed by the heads of each department, shocking behavior by the BBC should not go unpunished by the government.

Perhaps it is time now for the bent South Yorkshire Police and the BBC to name the accusers. The beeb must surely have had that information from their bent copper. Misconduct in public office springs to mind.

[drakula63]

For 'insufficient evidence' it might be better to read 'NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE'

A fiasco from the word go.

[drakula63]

I won't identify the writer of this next quote, but it comes from a friend of mine who works in the music business...

"As to the BBC: what a disgraceful bunch of cheap opportunists. Like you, I very much doubt they will have the required grace to apologise for their rabidly underhand and grubby pursuit of Cliff via that morning raid on his place in Sunninghill."

(Clearly another satisfied Licence payer...)

I shall say no more on the subject as I think the end-result speaks for itself and I have no doubt that there will be blanket coverage on the TV, radio, internet and in the papers and magazines over the coming days and weeks.

Best wishes to Cliff and all those who didn't believe a word of it all along.

P.S I look forward to that celebratory Cliff/Shads reunion!!!

[Iain Purdon]

I'm afraid "insufficient evidence" and "no further police action" are routine officialese. They are not good enough to remove the stain by association. I hope we shall see/hear something more satisfying in the coming days.

As someone who has spent almost his entire career with the BBC, and mainly with BBC News, I would like to say two things to set the record straight.

The whole matter, including the BBC's role, came before the Home Affairs Select Committee of the House of Commons in September 2014. The BBC was heavily criticised but the committee concluded it had acted properly. So no head-rolling.
Full details here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29032512

That said, on a personal level, my newsroom colleagues and I were ashamed and appalled at that helicopter stunt. Against all the editorial policy and code of conduct we believe in.

Iain

[neil2726]

But will heads roll at the Beeb - I very much doubt it!