Sir Cliff Richard has thrown his support behind a pressure group campaigning for law reform after he was falsely accused of historical sexual assault.

In 2014 his Berkshire home was raided by police, which was covered by the BBC and included the deployment of a TV helicopter, and led to him being publicly named.

No arrests were made in relation to the accusation against Sir Cliff, and he did not face charges.

Sir Cliff is now backing Falsely Accused Individuals for Reform (Fair), a new pressure group that is pushing for anonymity for those accused of sexual offences until there is a charge.

"Being falsely accused myself and having that exposed in the media was the worst thing that has happened to me in my entire life," Sir Cliff said.

"Even though untrue, the stigma is almost impossible to eradicate.

"Hence the importance of Fair's campaign to change the law to provide for anonymity before charge in sexual allegations and hence my continued work with Fair in the future.

"Had this proposed change in the law been enacted when the police decided to raid my apartment following the allegations of a fantasist, the BBC would not have been able to film this event, name me, (even though the South Yorkshire Police had decided not to) and so plunge my life and those close to me into fear and misery."