Max Clifford: 'I have been living a 24/7 nightmare'

The allegations in respect of which I have been charged are completely false and I have made this clear to the police during many, many hours of interviews.

Nevertheless a decision has been taken to charge me with 11 offences involving seven women, the most recent of which is 28 years ago and the oldest 47 years ago.

I have never indecently assaulted anyone in my life and this will become clear during the course of the proceedings.

I am naturally disappointed about today's decision, particularly because of the distress it has caused my wife, Jo, my daughter, Louise, and all those close to me.

However, at least I will now be in a position to fully consider all the evidence against me and to answer the evidence in public and ultimately clear my name in a court of law.

Since last December I have been living a 24/7 nightmare. A black cloud has been placed over me, obliterating the bright blue skies that I have been fortunate to live my life under for the vast majority of the past 70 years.

Fortunately I have and continue to receive wonderful support and understanding from those who knew me, those who know me, as well as people I meet everywhere I go.

This has made this nightmare so much easier to cope with and I am extremely grateful for this as you can imagine.