Sir Cliff Richard police inquiry 'significantly expanded'

by Emily Straton and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, London

3 minutes ago

An historical sex offence inquiry into singer Sir Cliff Richard has "increased significantly in size" and involves "more than one allegation", police say.
The expansion of the investigation meant no date could be given for when it would be concluded, South Yorkshire Police's chief constable said.
It comes after officers raided Sir Cliff's Berkshire home last August.
Sir Cliff said he had no idea where the "absurd and untrue" allegations against him come from.
"The police have not disclosed details to me," he added.
"I have never, in my life, assaulted anyone and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I have cooperated fully with the police, and will, of course, continue to do so."
Sir Cliff has been interviewed about an allegation of a sex crime, but was not arrested or charged.
The BBC understands the original allegation relates to an alleged assault at an event featuring US preacher Billy Graham at Bramall Lane in Sheffield in 1985.

'As swiftly as possible'

In a letter dated 10 February to Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Chief Constable David Crompton said his force was in regular contact with Sir Cliff's lawyers.

The details come in a letter from the chief constable of South Yorkshire to Labour MP Keith Vaz

That involved a "verbal update about once a fortnight", he said.
"This is an investigation which has increased significantly in size since its inception. Sir Cliff Richard's lawyers are aware that there is more than one allegation," he said in the letter.
He added: "It would be premature and potentially misleading to predict a likely date when it will be concluded, however, we are progressing as swiftly as possible."

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had not been presented with a file for a charging decision.
"The CPS is providing early investigative advice in relation to allegations of sexual offences committed by a 74-year-old man, interviewed by police in August 2014," it said in a statement.

"The allegations remain under investigation by South Yorkshire Police."
It comes after an independent report concluded that police should not have released "highly confidential" details to the BBC about the planned search of Sir Cliff Richard's home.
South Yorkshire Police had "interfered with the star's privacy" by telling the broadcaster about the raid, the report said.
A deal over the details was made when a BBC reporter told the force he knew they were investigating the star.