As-it-happened: BBC and police grilled by MPs over Cliff raid

Key Points

  • South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable David Crompton has apologised before MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee if the search of Sir Cliff Richard's home on 14 August was "insensitive"
  • BBC cameras and a reporter were outside Sir Cliff's property when the police arrived. The singer says the allegation of a historical sexual offence is "completely false"
  • Committee chairman Keith Vaz has told the committee the BBC acted "perfectly properly" in its coverage of the raid.
  • Mr Crompton told MPs the BBC "made it clear" to his force that details of the investigation were leaked from Operation Yewtree. The BBC denies revealing the source of the leak.
  • The police chief said the BBC put his force in a "very difficult position" and he did not trust the corporation not to publish the story ahead of the raid, which would have jeopardised the operation
  • BBC director general Lord Tony Hall says had the police told the corporation publishing its story would compromise the investigation, it would not have done so

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