The 75-year-old pop star has cooperated with police enquiries, and handed over evidence that demonstrates he was never alone with the men during the production of the music video.
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South Yorkshire police issued a statement after The Sunday Times said that one inquiry had failed because detectives had been unable to find evidence to substantiate the claims. Richard strongly denied the claims, describing them as “absurd and untrue”.
Richard was first interviewed by police in relation to an alleged historical sex offence in August 2014.
“Cliff gave the police evidence that he was never on his own on the days when the alleged attacks took place”, said the friend, who has asked to remain anonymous. The singer was not informed of the search and only found out about it by watching BBC News.
A subsequent report concluded that the BBC’s actions had caused “unnecessary distress” to Sir Cliff and also attacked the police for failing to inform him of the what was going on, leaving him to learn of the allegations against him through the media.
“However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire without notice, except it would appear to the press…it goes without saying that I will co-operate fully should the police wish to speak to me”.
One of the accusers claims he was 15 when he was assaulted by the household name at a rally for evangelical Christian Billy Graham in Sheffield in 1985.
Richard will play 29 concerts during the tour, beginning on 29 September in Birmingham and ending at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 13 October.
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He has also been recording a new album in Nashville Tennessee.
