The BBC executives responsible for the shaming of Sir Cliff Richard should be forced to pay the damages, says a Perthshire MSP.
Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Conservative, said the licence fee payer must not shoulder the £210,000 awarded to the Devil Woman singer in the High Court on Wednesday.
“The BBC behaved absolutely disgracefully in this case,” Mr Fraser said.
“And licence payers should not be responsible for the damages awarded – the highly-paid BBC execs behind this should pay personally.”
Mr Justice Mann said the BBC infringed Sir Cliff’s privacy in a “serious and sensationalist way” during a raid on 77-year-old star’s Berkshire home in August 2014.
The police operation was in relation to a child sexual allegation. Sir Cliff has never been arrested or charged.
