Cliff Richard has strongly dismissed allegations of an alleged sexual assault saying they are “completely false”. After police conducted a search of his home in the UK.
Richard told reporters: “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 cooperate 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 music superstar who is reportedly to be in Portugal, issued the statement through his representatives after widespread media coverage of the search of his home.
Police from South Yorkshire are understood to have entered Richard’s property today in order to carry out a search relating to an alleged sexual assault of a boy under 16 in the 1980s and that nobody had been arrested.
It is believed that the singer’s lawyers have been in contact with South Yorkshire police. It is understood that the search is not connected to Scotland Yard’s Operation Yewtree, launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police released a statement in which they said: “South Yorkshire Police has gained entry to a property in the Sunningdale area of Berkshire. Officers are currently searching the property. “A search warrant was granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time. “No one has been arrested and the owner of the property was not present.”
Thames Valley Police have also confirmed that they have helped the South Yorkshire force with the execution of the search warrant.