Parkinson criticises BBC handling of Cliff Richard search

Michael Parkinson: I think the Cliff Richard case only highlights the feeling there is some kind of witch hunt going on. Photograph: Brian J Ritchie/Rex Features

Former BBC journalist Sir Michael Parkinson has described the corporations handling of the police investigation into singer Sir Cliff Richard as an error of judgment that would have done the red tops credit.

Sir Michael called for greater protection of peoples anonymity until they are charged.

The veteran TV host also criticised the media as a whole for its wider reaction to news that appears on social media, calling for it to be more responsible in how it handles such information.

Criticising media reporting of the search at Sir Cliffs home, he told ITV News: I just think that its wrong. I think anybody not charged should not be named by the police and shouldnt be reported in the newspapers either.

I think the Cliff Richard case only highlights the feeling there is some kind of witch hunt going on.

I think the BBC did create an error in judgment not in understanding the story and having the story and trying to follow it through but in reacting to the story in a kind of way that would have done the red tops credit.

Thats what wrong with the BBC, I think, on this one. It was the manner in which they chose to actually cover the event if you can call it an event.

I think there is a lot to be looked at and a lot to be learned from all thats been happening around that particular kind of area.

Sir Michael cited the case of Rolf Harris, who lived near him in Bray, Berkshire, as another situation in which the media arrived at his home before police.

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Parkinson criticises BBC handling of Cliff Richard search