Cliff Richard to campaign for change in law

Singer Cliff Richard will campaign for a change in the law to protect the anonymity of those accused of sexual offenses.

Richard, who was interrogated in 2014 and 2015 by police who were investigating allegations that he sexually abused a teenage boy in the 1980s, recently got the case against him dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Richard then met with broadcaster Paul Gambaccini and politician Nigel Evans to discuss their shared experiences of being falsely accused.

They made plans to set up a victim support group to highlight "the unnecessary pain and suffering" felt by those wrongly accused.

Evans, who was acquitted of nine charges of rape and sexual assault in 2014, told telegraph.co.uk: "We have got common ground but there are also a load of other people we have common ground with... Some are famous before it happens, others become famous because of it... And if we can do without (and) other countries can, why don't we just get on with it?"

He also slammed the "huge intrusion" of Richard's house being raided by police after he was accused of abuse.

He added: "He didn't even know. It was just horrific."

They plan to wait until the new Conservative leader is announced in the coming months and will then put their case to the new Prime Minister and Home Secretary.

--IANS

sas/rb