Sir Cliff Richard outside of a courthouse; Photo: Sky News
BBC news editor Gary Smith has expressed regret over an email where he quoted lyrics from British pop star, Cliff Richard.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the incident occurred when Smith was corresponding with “Declan Wilson, the BBC’s north of England bureau editor at the time.”
In response to a police probe of Richard, Smith quoted a verse from the song “Congratulations,” writing, “Congratulations and jubilations, I want the world to know I’m happy as can be.”
Smith regretted the decision and explained that the email was private and not meant for public eyes.
“This was a private communication with a trusted colleague, it was not, clearly, meant for publication,” he said. “To be honest, seeing this, I regret writing what I wrote.”
The coverage of Cliff Richard stems from a probe over child-sex allegations. Richard was accused of molesting a teenager at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane football stadium, but after a two-year investigation no charges were filed.
Smith defended the coverage, and denied that protecting the exclusive was his primary concern, saying: “My preoccupation with any story is to ensure it is accurate, fair and balanced.”
South Yorkshire Police has already paid £400,000 in damages, and now Richard is suing the BBC for damages, claiming that the investigation was a “very serious invasion” of his privacy and has had a “prolonged impact” on him.
The hearing is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.
