Cliff Richard 'not charged or arrested' after police interview

Sir Cliff Richard was today interviewed by detectives investigating a sex crime claim involving a young boy, his spokesman has said.

Sir Cliff Richard was interviewed by members of South Yorkshire Police today, his spokesman has said. He voluntarily met with officers and was not arrested or charged.

Chief constable David Crompton says South Yorkshire Police was approached by a BBC journalist with detailed information about its investigation into Cliff Richard.

It "reluctantly agreed" to give the reporter notice of the day officers planned to search the property to dissuade them from publishing details in advance and protect the "integrity of the investigation". "It was not done in order to maximise publicity, contrary to some press reports," Mr Compton wrote in a letter to Keith Vaz.

Mr Crompton said an article appeared on the BBC website on the afternoon of the raid that suggested there had been a deliberate attempt to "ensure maximum coverage" by the force.

"The force contacted the BBC but the corporation refused to withdraw or adapt the article," he said in the letter.

"This appeared to be an attempt by the BBC to distance itself from what had taken place and cover up the fact that it had initiated contact with the force about the story. "This was misleading and was known by the BBC to be inaccurate."

The BBC has been accused of a "cover up" over its role in the police raid on Sir Cliff Richard's flat, following an allegation of sexual assault.

South Yorkshire police chief constable David Crompton claimed the corporation appeared to "distance itself from what had happened" after it broadcast the raid on the singer's Berkshire home.

Mr Crompton said the BBC's misleading and inaccurate portrayal of its involvement in what happened led to the force making a formal complaint.

The BBC and South Yorkshire Police have been summoned to appear before MPs to explain how the broadcaster knew Sir Cliff Richard's home was to be searched, the BBC reported.

Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz gave both institutions a deadline of today at midday to reply to his letters.

It comes after the singer's Berkshire apartment was searched by police as part of investigations into an alleged sexual offence which took place during the 80s - allegations Sir Cliff has vehemently denied.

• Read: BBC chief says it 'acted appropriately' over Cliff coverage

The BBC Director General Tony Hall has said he will not reveal how the BBC learned about a police warrant to search Sir Cliff Richard's home in advance.

In his letter to Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz, he said the anonymity of sources was "a key principle for all journalism" and "for that reason the BBC will not be providing details about the source".

He added that the BBC was an independent organisation and that he would not "elaborate on detail of our editorial processes".

Director General Tony Hall said BBC journalists "acted appropriately" in their coverage of the police raid on Cliff Richard's flat following sexual assault allegations.

The raid on the pop star's penthouse caused controversy when the corporation broke news of the search, with a film crew reportedly arriving on the scene before the police.

In a letter to Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz MP, Mr Hall said: "I believe that BBC journalists have acted appropriately in pursuing this story. As you rightly say, the media has a right to report on matters of public interest.

"Sir Cliff Richard is one of the most successful British entertainers of all time and has been a prominent public figure for several decades. Investigations into historic sex abuse cases have - and will continue to have - a profound impact on the lives of well-known individuals and the standing of public institutions.

"The disclosure of a sex abuse allegation against Sir Cliff Richard and the police search of his property was clearly a significant story and the BBC was not alone in providing extensive coverage."

Fans of Sir Cliff Richard have been showing their support for the singer this week - with a push to put the veteran singer back in the charts.

Sir Cliff's 1992 hit I Still Believe in You - which reached number seven the first time round - has been flying off the shelves, and according to the midweek charts is now less than 500 copies off the Top 40.

It comes after the singer's Berkshire apartment was searched by police as part of investigations into claims he sexually assaulted a young boy at a religious rally in 1985.

He has vehemently denied the allegations.

Read: Cliff withdraws from charity event after 'false claim'

Sir Cliff Richard has withdrawn from a charity event at Canterbury Cathedral on 26 September as he "doesn't want the event to be overshadowed by the false allegation," a spokesman for the singer has said.

Cilla Black has said she is "absolutely positive" her close friend of more than 40 years Sir Cliff Richard is innocent over allegations he sexually abused an underage boy in the Eighties.

In a statement seen by the Daily Mail Cilla said: "Cliff is a very close friend of mine and has been for a million years.

"I, like everyone else, was shocked to hear of these allegations and I am absolutely positive that they are without foundation."

Sir Cliff's Berkshire home was raided by police last week while he was on holiday in Portugal.

He is believed to be returning to the UK shortly and has said he will fully co-operate with police.