A BARNSLEY-BORN journalist at the centre of Sir Cliff Richard’s legal case against the BBC refused to apologise to the star in his evidence at London’s High Court this week.
Dan Johnson, originally from Worsbrough, broke the story about the police investigation into Sir Cliff Richard and allegations of sexual assault made against the star - he was never arrested or charged with any offence but claims he felt ‘forever tainted’ by the BBC’s coverage.
He is suing the BBC over a report which featured footage of a police search of Sir Cliff’s home filmed from a helicopter.
The star was in court on Wednesday to heard Mr Johnson give evidence. The reporter was asked if he wanted to make a ‘personal apology’ to Sir Cliff, and went on to say he was sorry the star ‘went through such a difficult time’.
Questioned by Sir Cliff’s barrister Justin Rushbrooke QC, he acknowledged using the term ‘celebrity paedo’ when referring to the case in an email to a colleague.
But he said the description was a ‘shorthand reference’ and didn’t reflect his approach to the story.
“In all my external dealings on the story and the way that I covered it, I have been professional and fair,” he said.
“What matters is what is said publicly and how you conduct yourself with other people externally.”
The allegation Sir Cliff had sexually assaulted a boy under the age of 16 in Sheffield in 1985 was passed to South Yorkshire Police by the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Johnson said there had been some ‘regrettable’ false allegations made against some high-profile people, but he had only been reporting the facts of the story at the time the singer’s home was being searched.
“I accept the distress he feels, I don’t accept it was caused by me uniquely,” he said.
“Obviously South Yorkshire Police were part of that and my colleagues at the BBC who were part of the story as well.
“I don’t believe I was at fault.
“I am sure the investigation would have been distressing.”
He was asked twice by Sir Cliff’s barrister whether he was prepared to apologise to Sir Cliff in court, but the judge intervened saying the line of questioning was ‘not helpful’.
The BBC says its report on South Yorkshire Police’s sexual assault inquiry was of public interest.
Lawyers for the corporation say its coverage was accurate and in good faith, and journalists had respected Sir Cliff’s ‘presumption of innocence’.
The case continues.
