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Cliff Richard 'not charged or arrested' after police interview

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

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

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

Sir Cliff has strongly denied any wrongdoing, saying an allegation of an historic sexual assault is false.

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Police 'reluctantly agreed' to give BBC notice of raid

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.

Sir Cliff's Berkshire home was searched for five hours by police. Credit: Press Association

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."

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Cliff Richard 'not charged or arrested' after police interview

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