BBC editor not concerned by Sir Cliff raid helicopter footage, judge hears

A senior BBC editor has told a High Court judge that he has no concerns about the broadcasting of images taken from a helicopter during coverage of a police search of Sir Cliff Richard’s home nearly four years ago.

Jonathan Munro, head of newsgathering at the BBC, told Mr Justice Mann that he reviewed "helicopter footage” and did not have “any concerns".

Mr Munro is giving evidence during the latest stage of a High Court trial in London.

He has outlined his thoughts in a written witness statement given to the judge.

Sir Cliff, 77, has sued the BBC over coverage of the South Yorkshire Police search in August 2014 and wants damages at the “top end” of the scale.

He says the coverage, which involved the use of a helicopter, was a "very serious invasion" of his privacy.

The BBC disputes his claims.

Bosses say coverage of the search of the apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, was accurate and in good faith.

Mr Munro said no issues about particular images recorded by the helicopter had been “referred up” on the day of the search.

"No referrals were made to me about any helicopter images," he told the judge.

"During the course of preparing this witness statement I have reviewed the images which the BBC broadcast, including the helicopter footage.

"I do not have any concerns about the broadcasting of these images."