Sir Cliff Richard slams BBC journo at centre of £1.5m lawsuit between broadcaster and star
SIR Cliff Richard’s lawyers have accused the BBC reporter at the centre of their explosive £1.5million lawsuit of lying.
Dan Johnson is said to have “strong-armed” South Yorkshire Police into striking a deal to film a 2014 raid on the star’s home by threatening to broadcast the story beforehand.
Sir Cliff’s team claim Mr Johnson told Det Supt Matt Fenwick he had a source within the infamous Operation Yewtree, and knew “everything” about the probe into a historic sex allegation.
The crime correspondent has since denied this.
But in the 26-page writ, Sir Cliff’s lawyers brand the account “false”.
They say notes by Det Supt Fenwick and the force’s head of communications Carrie Goodwin prove it.
The court papers say: “The primary case is that the denial and the claim are false.”
The Sun yesterday revealed details of the High Court writ. They include texts between the reporter and police about the raid on his home in Sunningdale, Berks.
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Sir Cliff, 76, says he was left “violated” and is suing the BBC and police for breach of privacy.