BBC boss defends Cliff coverage

Director general Tony Hall said BBC journalists "acted appropriately" in their coverage of the police raid on Cliff Richard’s flat following sexual assault allegations.

The raid on the pop star’s penthouse caused controversy when the corporation broke news of the search, with a film crew reportedly arriving on the scene before the police.

In a letter to Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz, Mr Hall said: “I believe that BBC journalists have acted appropriately in pursuing this story. As you rightly say, the media has a right to report on matters of public interest.