Allegations against Sir Cliff Richard gaining momentum.....
Sir Cliff Richard s e x abuse investigation involves more than one allegation (Daily Telegraph)
South Yorkshire's Chief Constable David Crompton reveals investigation into Sir Cliff Richard increases 'significantly' after man claims he had been molested by star.
Sir Cliff Richard was questioned by police last August.
By Martin Evans, Crime Correspondent6:01PM GMT 25 Feb 2015
The s e x abuse investigation into Sir Cliff Richard has “increased significantly since its inception” and now involves more than one allegation, South Yorkshire Police have revealed.
The 73-year-old entertainer was questioned by police last August after a man came forward and claimed he had been molested by the star in the 1980s.
But in a letter to Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, David Crompton, the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire, confirmed that the investigation had now expanded beyond that single allegation.
Responding to a request from Mr Vaz for an update into the progress of the investigation, Mr Crompton 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 added: “In view of the expanding nature of the investigation, 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.”
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Sir Cliff said: "I have no idea where these absurd and untrue allegations come from. The police have not disclosed details to me.
"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.
"Beyond stating that the allegations are completely false, it would not be appropriate for me to say anything further until the investigation has concluded, which I hope will be very soon. In the meantime, I would, again, like to thank everyone for supporting me through this unbelievably difficult period."
The publication of the letter from Mr Crompton, dated February 10, followed a scathing independent report into an agreement between South Yorkshire Police and the BBC, which led to a raid on the singer's home being broadcast live.
The independent report found that the deal "certainly interfered with his privacy and may well have caused unnecessary distress".
The original allegation is understood to relate to an incident that is said to have occurred at a Christian rally in Sheffield organised by the American evangelist, Billy Graham in June 1985.
Last year, the alleged victim, who was under 16 at the time of the incident, came forward to police and made a complaint.
But the police investigation was immediately overshadowed after a leak from the Operation Yewtree team led to an agreement between South Yorkshire and the BBC meaning film crews, including one in a helicopter, were on hand to film the raid on the entertainer’s £2.5 Berkshire home.
Sir Cliff, who had not been informed that the search was taking place, subsequently issued a robust statement from his home in the Algarve, vehemently denying the allegation, but pledging to cooperate with the investigation.
He later returned home to the UK to meet with detectives and answer questions and has never been arrested or charged.
At the time, friends of Sir Cliff accused the police of organising a “fishing expedition” claiming the raid had been carried out in an effort to generate the maximum amount of publicity.
The friend said: “The whole thing is appalling because what they are doing, they are just going in there making as much noise about it as they can and seeing if anyone comes out of the woodwork to back it up. And if they don’t they will still have wrecked someone’s life.”
Just when I thought our chance had passed,you go and save the best for last.
