Cliff Richard: Police have widened sex offences inquiry

Investigations into allegations around Sir Cliff Richard have widened.Reuters

Singer Sir Cliff Richard is facing "more than one allegation" in connection with historic sex offences in an inquiry that has "increased significantly in size", police have said.

The revelation comes days after South Yorkshire police were severely criticised in an independent report on a raid on Sir Cliff's Berkshire home last August.

The disclosure that police are considering other allegations came in a letter to Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, from Chief Constable David Crompton.

"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, adding: "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."

The original allegation related to an alleged assault at a Billy Graham campaign meeting at Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield in 1985.

Sir Cliff, perhaps the most prominent Christian figure in the entertainment industry, has denied ever assaulting anyone and said in a statement that he had no idea where the "absurd and untrue" allegations against him came from.

"The police have not disclosed details to me," he said.

"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."

He continued: "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."

Controversy surrounds the raid on Sir Cliff's house, which was filmed by the BBC. An independent investigator, former chief constable Andy Trotter, said the BBC should never have been told details of the investigation, should not have held a secret meeting between a senior detective and a reporter to agree an exclusive deal and had breached Sir Cliff's privacy.