Sir Cliff Richard 'must accept reduction in privacy after making use of fame'

Sir Cliff Richard must accept "some reduction in his private life" because of the way he has made use of his fame, a lawyer representing BBC bosses suggested in a High Court trial.

Barrister Gavin Millar QC spoke before a judge analysing a dispute over coverage of a police raid on the singer's home.

He told Mr Justice Mann that Sir Cliff used his status to opine on religious and moral issues.

Mr Millar, who heads the BBC's legal team, outlined his thoughts while mounting a defence of BBC coverage of the police search as a High Court trial in London drew to a close.

The 77-year-old singer has sued the BBC over coverage of a South Yorkshire Police search on his home in August 2014 and wants damages at the "top end" of the scale.

He has told Mr Justice Mann that coverage, which involved the use of a helicopter, was a "very serious invasion" of his privacy.

The BBC disputes his claims.

Bosses say coverage of the search of the apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, was accurate and in good faith.

Mr Justice Mann has finished analysing evidence.

He is now considering barristers' closing legal arguments.

"This is not a criticism of Sir Cliff," said Mr Millar.

"He is not just someone who has had fame."

Mr Millar added: "He has used that status to give his opinions on moral and religious issues in interviews. So he must accept some reduction in his private life."