Cliff Richard Cleared Of Sex Assault Allegations Due To 'Insufficient Evidence'

Nearly two years after British pop icon Cliff Richard's home was searched in reference to a sex assault allegation against a boy in the 1980s, Richard has finally been cleared of the claims against him.

As The Week reports, the Crown Prosecution Service said they had "insufficient evidence to prosecute" Richard.

Richard has commented on the closing of the investigation in a lengthy Facebook post, where he states, "I have always maintained my innocence, co-operated fully with the investigation, and cannot understand why it has taken so long to get to this point!

"Nevertheless, I am obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close."

He also states the reason for his media silence over the years: "Even though I was under pressure to ‘speak out’, other than to state my innocence, which was easy for me to do as I have never molested anyone in my life, I chose to remain silent."

The allegations arose when footage surfaced in 2014 of the police entering Richard's private estate, reportedly due to an alleged incident that occurred at a Billy Graham rally being held at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium in South Yorkshire in 1985. 

Police at the time stated, "A search warrant was granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time."

In this week's statement, Richard has noted that "in some peoples’ eyes the CPS’ announcement today doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t expressly state that I am innocent; which of course I am".

"My reputation will not be fully vindicated because the CPS’ policy is to only say something general about there being ‘insufficient’ evidence. How can there be evidence for something that never took place!" he said.

Read Cliff Richard's full statement below.