Cliff Richard was accused of nothing. Publicising investigations into celebrities is fully in the public interest. Celebrities on both sides of the Atlantic have been involved in serial sexual misdemeanours and have used their celebrity to protect themselves. Publicising investigations has often encouraged victims to gain the courage to come forward. That is absolutely what we mean by "in the public interest." In no way am I saying that Cliff is guilty of anything or that the Beeb didn't handle the thing in a clumsy manner, but the principle stands.