Sir Cliff Richard: Police pass file of evidence to CPS over historical sex abuse claims

A file of evidence relating to allegations of historical sex abuse against Sir Cliff Richard has been passed to prosecutors by police.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was considering whether to bring charges.

Sir Cliff's home in Berkshire was raided by police in 2014.

The entertainer was interviewed under caution in 2014 by detectives investigating a claim of a sex crime involving a young boy in the 1980s, but was not arrested or charged. In 2015, the singer was re-interviewed by officers, who the star met voluntarily.

ITV News reporter Richard Pallot reports:

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman told ITV News: "Investigation files relating to allegations of non-recent sexual abuse involving a 75-year-old man, have been handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"The CPS will now consider the matter and South Yorkshire Police awaits their decision."

The CPS said that it will "carefully consider" the file of evidence passed on by police.

A CPS spokesman said: "We have received a full file of evidence from South Yorkshire Police.

"We will now carefully consider its contents in line with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, in order to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and whether it is in the public interest to do so."

Sir Cliff, aged 75, previously said in a statement that the claims against him were "absurd and untrue" and he had "never, in my life, assaulted anyone".

The raid on his home was broadcast live around the world after an agreement between South Yorkshire Police and the BBC, a deal which was criticised in a scathing independent report.

A spokesman for Sir Cliff said: "It would be inappropriate to comment while the matter is under review."