The BBC put South Yorkshire Police in "a very difficult position" over a planned search of Sir Cliff Richard's home in connection with a historical sexual offence allegation, chief constable David Crompton told MPs today.

His colleagues in the media office were convinced that the broadcaster would run a story about the investigation without some kind of deal, he told the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.

But BBC director general Tony Hall said that most of the information about the investigation into Cliff Richard was volunteered by South Yorkshire Police and committee chairman Keith Vaz concluded proceedings by saying that the BBC had behaved "entirely properly".