Had the BBC treated the claims and resulting search of Cliff Richards property with the same degree of coverage as similar claims against Sir Edward Heath; the former head of the Army, Field Marshall Lord Bramall; the former Home Secretary, Lord Brittan and the former Tory politician, Harvey Proctor, then it could be regarded as in the public interest. However both police and the BBC colluded together to over dramatize the event,even to the extent of chartering a helicopter for aerial footage of events on the ground in order to make the event even more sensational.
This was not live coverage of the SAS entering a foreign embassy, it was a totally over the top treatment of unfounded allegations. If the BBC news service cannot see this vital distinction they are clearly unfit for purpose and should sink or swim with no further aid from the public purse.
Like many contributors here, it would seem the BBC cannot differentiate between fact and fiction, unfounded allegation and proven guilt.