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Brian Lawless

Cliff Richard won't be prosecuted over historical sex abuse claims

Singer says he was “hung out like live bait” as police say there is insufficient evidence against him.

SINGER SIR CLIFF Richard is to face no further action following a British police investigation into allegations of historical sex abuse.

In a statement this morning, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said South Yorkshire Police had “carefully reviewed evidence relating to claims of non-recent sexual offences dating between 1958 and 1983 made by four men.”

“We have decided that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute,” the statement said.

In a statement issued this morning, Richard, 75, said he was “thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close”.

But he said being named before he was even interviewed by police in relation to the allegations meant he was “hung out like live bait”.

Sir Cliff Richard investigation Joe Giddens Joe Giddens

“Ever since the highly-publicised and BBC-filmed raid on my home, I have chosen not to speak publicly,” Richard said.

…This was despite the widely-shared sense of injustice resulting from the high-profile fumbling of my case from day one. Other than in exceptional cases, people who are facing allegations should never be named publicly until charged.
I was named before I was even interviewed and for me, that was like being hung out like ‘live bait’.

Richard added the CPS’s statement did not go far enough “in some people’s eyes”.

“It doesn’t expressly state that I am innocent, which of course I am,” he said.

Sir Cliff Richard investigation The singer in 1963. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

There lies the problem. My reputation will not be fully vindicated because the CPS policy is to only say something general about there being ‘insufficient’ evidence. How can there be evidence for something that never took place!

The investigation into the allegations against Richard became public in August 2014, when police raided his home in Berkshire.

Sir Cliff Richard investigation Sir Cliff Richard's home in Berkshire. Andrew Matthews Andrew Matthews

South Yorkshire Police apologised to Richard this morning for its handling of the case.

“The force apologises wholeheartedly for the additional anxiety caused by our initial handling of the media interest in this case,” it said in a statement.

Police said the investigation is estimated to have cost about £800,000 (€1 million) since the initial allegation was made in April 2014.

“We appreciate that waiting for a conclusion will undoubtedly have caused additional distress to all those involved and we have made every effort to ensure this has been as timely as possible,” it said.

However, it is in the interests of justice to investigate such matters thoroughly.  We have a duty to explore any allegations relating to sexual abuse and other crimes and will go wherever the evidence takes us in order to protect victims and stop offending.

Read: Orlando shooter’s wife ‘tried to talk him out of violence but did not call police’ say reports

Read: Bob Geldof and his ‘we’re going to need a bigger boat’ battle with Brexit

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    Mute Stephen Todd
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    Dec 28th 2016, 3:22 PM

    The headline reads as if we’re flooded with SNAs when we could probably still do with more. It just highlights our severe lack of Garda resources

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    Mute Antoinette Mullen
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    Dec 28th 2016, 3:21 PM

    What is disappointing is the number that are full time posts. 13,000 plus SNA’s sounds great but a high number are working on fragmented hours from as little as 5-6 hours per week. That’s not a sustainable job.

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Dec 28th 2016, 5:04 PM

    Totally redundant point. It’s like saying there are more teachers than tram drivers. God I hate enda.

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    Mute Cranium
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    Dec 28th 2016, 4:06 PM

    What a pile of steaming horse manure. The propaganda is strong in this one.

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    Mute Michelle Dermody
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    Dec 28th 2016, 7:38 PM

    Not Every child who is entitled to an SNA receives one. They may receive “half of one ” as in part -time. Some SNA’s are forced to work around 3 or more children with very complex needs in schools and the reality is that they system becomes diluted and unefficient. A person csn not be in two places at once! So ENDA is lying again….

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    Mute Michelle Dermody
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    Dec 28th 2016, 7:41 PM

    The system , inefficient and can. Text predictor doesn’t help!

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Dec 28th 2016, 8:07 PM

    @Michelle Dermody:
    Don’t you mean that’s Enda’s fault as well?

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    Mute Linda Oreilly
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    Dec 28th 2016, 7:53 PM

    Totally misleading…..I would image a large number of those are not full time…years ago when I worked as a SNA, a Seno decided that two children in Junior Infants should share a SNA….so the SNA asked her this question ‘If there is a fire, which child will I pick up, the one with mobility problems or the one who will bolt because I cannot carry 2′..made no difference they still had to share the SNA….

    it s all just spin.

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    Mute David Thomas
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    Dec 28th 2016, 4:08 PM

    Now ye know who to call if anyone is burgled

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    Mute SteveÓ
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    Dec 28th 2016, 6:57 PM

    @David Thomas:

    Batman?

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    Mute Valthebear
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    Dec 29th 2016, 9:43 AM

    Actually being granted the services of an SNA for a child is very difficult and the process very arduous ans bureaucratic. More spin from the gov

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