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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

BBC potential appeal re Cliff Richard

177 replies

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 18/07/2018 11:07

Aibu to think that the BBC, having had their arses handed to them this morning, have no business considering appeal against the judgement?
I don't agree with them spending even more of our money justifying their appallong behaviour.

OP posts:
user1457017537 · 26/07/2018 22:10

AngelsSins I am terribly sorry for what you experienced. For what it’s worth I think all victims should be believed. It would seem that unless it’s a financial or property crime in the UK then it is very hard to prove guilt. Young children get broken by defence barristers when giving evidence. Also how can a child be expected to remember dates, etc. There was a Doctor yesterday who is now deceased but is now believed to have abused children. The victims were only believed because there were so many of them coming up with the exact same abuse.

MariaMadita · 26/07/2018 22:11

Yes, it's absolutely dreadful.

I also fail to see how the public had a genuine interest to even know about the raid.

If he had been charged (or at least substantial evidence has been found)? Sure. But at that point?

There's also the issue of privacy / airspace, I suppose. Which will probably become even more important (with private citizen owning drones etc...)

And yes, I do believe that this kind of reporting could have had an impact on a trial / prejudice a jury. (But the whole concept of a jury trial is imo highly questionable...)

MariaMadita · 26/07/2018 22:14

Btw I'm not saying that the police shouldn't have investigated. Of course not.

RedDogsBeg · 27/07/2018 09:30

worridmum I agree 100% with your post.

CR has had the temerity to never discuss his private life or his sexuality and that is his right, unfortunately some people just cannot accept that and the media have been goading him for years in order to get him to do so. Plus, as an out and proud committed Christian he is an anathema to the BBC.

Reading the Judgement there were discrepancies and inconsistencies regarding which Sheffield Football team stadium the assault was meant to have taken place at. Furthermore, what was the relevance of searching a property that CR didn't even own at the time of the allegation?

GnotherGnu · 27/07/2018 13:35

For decades CR has tried to put forward the image of nice straight lad/man. I don't think these days anyone cares what he is, but I don't think anyone can claim that he refrains from discussing his private life.

RedDogsBeg · 27/07/2018 14:23

I can't recall ever seeing CR give an interview about his private life, nor do I agree that he has tried to put forward the image of a nice straight man/lad. It's irrelevant whether or not people care about what he is, it is none of their business.

Original poster
IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 27/07/2018 14:25

Me neither Red. Iirc, he has always refused to comment.

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 27/07/2018 14:35

Iirc, he has always refused to comment.

The problem is there are some folk that take that to mean well, he must have something to hide then.

If I were ever to end up in front of a jury, this thread doesn't inspire confidence ....

ShatnersWig · 27/07/2018 14:49

Whenever there is a thread like this, it always makes me think maybe trial by jury isn't a good thing after all, because facts and evidence would be irrelevant to some MNetters if they were serving on a jury.

DGRossetti · 27/07/2018 14:51

Whenever there is a thread like this, it always makes me think maybe trial by jury isn't a good thing after all, because facts and evidence would be irrelevant to some MNetters if they were serving on a jury.

Fortunately, from other threads, we know most people try and get out of jury duty.

user1457017537 · 27/07/2018 15:38

Well I believe he portrayed himself as one thing for fans and lived a different life. That is all well and good and nobody else’s business, but if you can be disingenuous in one area off your life then people will draw their own conclusions.

DGRossetti · 27/07/2018 15:44

Well I believe he portrayed himself as one thing for fans and lived a different life.

You free to believe any old codswallop you like. After all, we wouldn't have religion otherwise.

Now about the proof ....

Original poster
IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 27/07/2018 15:59

What has happened to society, when not broadcasting your private business to all and sundry, is seen as sinister?

OP posts:
user1457017537 · 27/07/2018 16:03

Well what if I presented as a Lesbian for my career and targeted that market, but in fact was heterosexual with a husband and kids.

With regard to proof they say there is no smoke without fire. Why have rumours persisted for years.

DGRossetti · 27/07/2018 16:08

What has happened to society, when not broadcasting your private business to all and sundry, is seen as sinister?

Nothing. It's always been that way. It's just in the past, without the internet megaphone, people were forced to be present when coming out with such bollocks and were easily avoided.

If left unchecked, discussions like this will slowly devolve to simply "let's lock (or worse) up people who look a bit funny".

It's taken centuries for us to imperfect the criminal justice system and give it a fig leaf of respect. It's not for the BBC - or any other agenda-driven organisation - to try to reintroduce Trial By Media. Especially as the end result will simply be fewer criminals locked up.

DGRossetti · 27/07/2018 16:09

With regard to proof they say there is no smoke without fire. Why have rumours persisted for years.

Because of idiots people like you ?

DGRossetti · 27/07/2018 16:10

Well what if I presented as a Lesbian for my career and targeted that market, but in fact was heterosexual with a husband and kids.

Can't see anything criminal in that ? Care to explain ?

Original poster
IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 27/07/2018 16:13

I have no idea whether CR is gay/straight/whatever and I care even less. But supposing he was gay, he launched his career at at time when that was illegal and would have been at best, a career ending move.

Rumours persist because he refuses to indulge people's nosiness into matters which are nothing to do with them. And because men with no public partner are viewed with suspicion, irrespective of how lovely they may be. These attitudes say more about the person who holds them, than the person on the receiving end imo.

OP posts:
user1457017537 · 27/07/2018 16:37

DGRossetti can’t see anything criminal in that. I didn’t say it was criminal. Your words not mine.

Because of “idiots” (scrubbed out) like me.
I have ALWAYS found the word on the street to be surprisingly accurate.

user1457017537 · 27/07/2018 16:38

But CR has a partner and has had for decades.

DGRossetti · 27/07/2018 16:40

I have ALWAYS found the word on the street to be surprisingly accurate.

that's funny. I've always thought the word on the street was dogshit ?

Agustarella · 27/07/2018 16:44

I can't stand Sir Cliff or the BBC, but the solution is obvious. Starve the beast. Chuck the telly in the bin and cancel the licence. Et voila, it won't be your money getting peed up the wall next time a sleb has a hissy fit and gets litigious.

MariaMadita · 27/07/2018 16:51

Well what if I presented as a Lesbian for my career and targeted that market, but in fact was heterosexual with a husband and kids

I would wonder why you felt the need to do so.
Whether someon really publically denied their children for financial reasons (which would seem to be the case in your scenario...)

Being closeted for personal safety reasons or to protect oneself from discrimination is imo not comparable to pretending to be homosexual denying one's children for... Shit and giggles?

user1457017537 · 27/07/2018 16:54

No being closeted in order to target a market of women with romantic songs and films

Joe66 · 27/07/2018 17:02

For decades CR has tried to put forward the image of nice straight lad/man yes like many had to, but he does openly live with another man now, who I understand is a former priest. I find it so sad that people have had to cover up who they are for so long.

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