Cliff Richard hits back at sex crime claim

Pop legend Cliff Richard has dismissed a sex crime claim involving a young boy in the 1980s as "completely false".

The singer hit out as police carried out a five-hour search of his Berkshire penthouse flat yesterday, saying he had seen allegations circulating online for months but had chosen not to “dignify” them with a response.

Cliff, 73, is not in the UK but pledged to co-operate with the inquiry, which concerns an alleged assault claimed to have taken place at an appearance by American evangelist Billy Graham in Sheffield in 1985.

It is understood that lawyers for the singer, who is believed to be in Portugal, have been in contact with South Yorkshire Police, who are carrying out the inquiry.

The investigation is not connected to Scotland Yard’s high-profile sex crime probe Operation Yewtree, which was launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal.

In a statement, Cliff said: “The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false 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.”

South Yorkshire Det Supt Matt Fenwick stressed the investigation was in its “really early stages”. He said: “South Yorkshire Police have gained entry into a property in the Sunningdale area of Berkshire. A search warrant has been granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s. This involved a young boy under the age of 16 years.”