BBC bosses face quiz over Sir Cliff allegations

A few short hours after BBC executive Mary Hockadaydefended the way state broadcaster journalists reported the police raid on Sir Cliff Richard’s house, bosses at both the BBC and South Yorkshire Police have been summoned to appear before MPs.

Home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz said the chief constable of Yorkshire, David Cromptonhad accused the BBC of a cover-up, “which is a matter of deep concern.”

Mary Hockaday, the head of the BBC’s Newsroom, speaking to an audience of media professionals at the Edinburgh International TV Festival claims that the BBC legitimately pursued a major scoop and did not put the police investigation at risk. She told delegates, “We got some information that may suggest there was a story there,” adding, “We pursued it. We pinned it down. We did absolutely nothing to jeopardise the police inquiry.”

In a statement released by the BBC, director general Tony Hall said “BBC journalists acted appropriately.”

The bosses are likely to appear before MPs when Westminster returns to business next month after the summer recess.

The police raid on Sir Cliff´s house relates to an alleged historical sexual offence, which Sir Cliff vehemently denies.