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Sir Cliff Richard is said to be selling his £3 million Berkshire mansion after feeling 'violated' by the police search at his home into historic child sex offences.
Last month, it was reported that a property in Sunningdale, Berkshire belonging to the 73-year-old singer was searched, with a number of items removed. Police said that the allegation in question is a historical offence, involving a boy under 16 and dated from the 1980s in the South Yorkshire area.
It has also been confirmed that the investigation is not related to Operation Yewtree - and Sir Cliff later issued a statement to strongly deny the claims.
Now, a 'friend' tells The Daily Mail that Sir Cliff can no longer bring himself to stay in the property.
"He is putting the place on the market because he feels it has been violated by the search," they said. "He says he feels it's akin to having your home ransacked by burglars."
They added: "He is a totally innocent man, yet several officers went into his home without any warning, in view of the news cameras, and rifled through his effects."
Sir Cliff Richard has since issued the following statement regarding the allegations:
"For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online.
"The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.
"However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear to the press.
"I am not presently in the UK, but it goes without saying that I will cooperate fully should the police wish to speak to me. Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded."
Sir Cliff, knighted in 1995, has sold more singles than any other male British artist and has set records as the only to have one top five album in each of seven decades.
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