The broadcaster may file an appeal
The broadcaster may file an appeal
British pop star Cliff Richard won a privacy case against the BBC on Wednesday after it broadcast live on television a police raid on his home, in a ruling the broadcaster said went against press freedom.
The court said BBC had infringed on Mr. Richard’s rights in a “serious” and “somewhat sensationalist way” and awarded him £2,10,000 in damages.
The 77-year-old singer, Britain’s first home-grown pop star, was applauded by fans as he left the court, and they sang his hit song Congratulations. “I’m choked up. I can’t believe it. It’s wonderful news,” Mr. Richard said.
But the BBC said it would consider an appeal, saying the ruling “represents a dramatic shift against press freedom and the long-standing ability of journalists to report on police investigations”.
Mr. Richard’s home was raided in 2014 as part of an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault involving a young boy dating back to the 1980s.
The BBC coverage was picked up around the world, but he was never arrested or charged and was told in 2016 that there was insufficient evidence against him. “My life was effectively turned upside down and my reputation, worldwide, was unnecessarily damaged,” the singer said at the start of the case.
The BBC heard about the police investigation and cut a deal with the South Yorkshire Police in which they agreed to delay breaking the story. In return, the BBC was tipped off about the raid on Mr. Richard’s home and was outside in advance to film detectives sweeping in, broadcasting the search live from a helicopter.
British pop star Cliff Richard won a privacy case against the BBC on Wednesday after it broadcast live on television a police raid on his home, in a ruling the broadcaster said went against press freedom.
The court said BBC had infringed on Mr. Richard’s rights in a “serious” and “somewhat sensationalist way” and awarded him £2,10,000 in damages.
The 77-year-old singer, Britain’s first home-grown pop star, was applauded by fans as he left the court, and they sang his hit song Congratulations. “I’m choked up. I can’t believe it. It’s wonderful news,” Mr. Richard said.
But the BBC said it would consider an appeal, saying the ruling “represents a dramatic shift against press freedom and the long-standing ability of journalists to report on police investigations”.
Mr. Richard’s home was raided in 2014 as part of an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault involving a young boy dating back to the 1980s.
The BBC coverage was picked up around the world, but he was never arrested or charged and was told in 2016 that there was insufficient evidence against him. “My life was effectively turned upside down and my reputation, worldwide, was unnecessarily damaged,” the singer said at the start of the case.
The BBC heard about the police investigation and cut a deal with the South Yorkshire Police in which they agreed to delay breaking the story. In return, the BBC was tipped off about the raid on Mr. Richard’s home and was outside in advance to film detectives sweeping in, broadcasting the search live from a helicopter.