Police Search Home of Cliff Richard

CLIFF Richards has had to deny an allegation of historic sexual abuse after police today searched his Berkshire home.  In a statement as South Yorkshire police searched his home in Berkshire Sir Cliff said:
'For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online. 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.'

 

 The police say they didn't have to break in as they were let in, perhaps by somebody who is looking after the house.   

Last week, the police claim Sir Cliff was at his home in Portugal where he held a concert at his wine estate.   He owns a vast property there with a vineyard where he produces wine.  The Cliff Richard's official website urges readers to buy his 'Vida Nova wine, jewellery and calendar, to say nothing of DVDs, CDs and official merchandise'.  It is not known in he is still at his home in Portugal, but he has said in the past that he spends his summers there and his winters in Barbados, where he owns another property.

This isn't part of Scotland Yard's investigation into historical sex crimes - Operation Yewtree - launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.    It seems that the initial allegation was made to the Metropolitan Police and then passed on to South Yorkshire.  This is very much a South Yorkshire Police investigation.