Imogen Calderwood
UK police have raided the home of Sir Cliff Richard in relation to the alleged historical sex assault of an underage boy, according to the BBC.
The 73-year-old musician, who lives in Portugal and is a regular visitor to Spain, was not at his home in Sunningdale, Berkshire, when the raids took place.
No arrests have been made in the raids, relating to a case dating back to the 1980s.
The search is not in relation to Operation Yewtree, set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
The singer, born Harry Webb, is believed to currently be in the Algarve, where he has been running a vineyard for the last decade and lives with his ‘close friend’ Father John.
A police spokesperson declined to confirm that the house was that of Sir Cliff, but said: “Police have gained entry to a property in the Sunningdale area of Berkshire. Officers are currently searching the property.
“A search warrant was granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time.
“No one has been arrested and the owner of the property was not present.”
Sir Cliff released a statement this afternoon after widespread media coverage of the search on his home, saying: “For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulated online.
“The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.
“However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear, to the press.
“I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will co-operate fully should the police wish to speak to me.
“Beyond stating that today’s allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded.”
BBC reporter Tom Burridge has tweeted that he understands ‘Sir Cliff left his Algarve home this morning with his sister for a break in another part of Portugal’.
The OP is slowly becoming a UK paper… what does this story have todo with Spain? There can’t be enough Spanish news.
Oh shut up Fred , please .
I have no idea whether these allegations are true or not but as a retired Police Officer it concerns me greatly that the current crop of Police Officers of all ranks think it is right and proper to inform the press before executing a warrant in respect of an allegation against a celebrity or any other person for that matter. What happened to our judicial system and the presumption of innocence till proved guilty. We seem to have given that up for trial by the media and the mob.
hear,hear fred and peter
Cliff Richard has lived in Portugal for more than a decade, frequently visiting Spain.
That’s still a bit tenuous Tom.
how can anything be proved from so long ago
and why in this case have the Police taken the matter so seriously to rade his properties
This was the biggest non story of the year.
Wonder if the press will have a ‘Sorry About All That Sir Cliff’ headline sometime.
like the ‘Shut Up Fred’ Lou Lou.
Are you sure that could ever work?
He’s always the first child on guaranteed. You could write what he’s about to say every time, he’s that transparent.
@ Derek , one can lve in hope I rdespise people who hav an opinion on everything and not one answer to anything .
Apologies for typos
One person complains that a story is irrelevant and misplaced and two others make a personal attack, completely ignoring the comment. Even though one of those people posts virtually the same point as the first person. Weird.
@Lou, you seem to despise anyone with an opinion. Do you think this story has any relevance to Spain?
Btw Jon (cc’d via mail) why do you remove my comments asking if this story is relevant to a Spanish newspaper? Can you not debate this in an adult manner? It’s a simple question. What is up with your moderator lol.
No Fred , I despise people with an opinion on everything and a solution to nothing ….
@Lou, I don’t despise anyone. I think if you truly hate or despise anything, then you have a serious issue. The solution in this case was not to publish a story that has zero relevance to Spain. Strange why you could not answer such a simple question.