Sir Cliff Richard: Decision not to press charges against singer now under review after appeal from accuser

CPS confirms it had received an application under the victims' right to review scheme

Cliff Richard in the royal box to watch the match on day ten of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 3 July 2014 in London (Getty Images)

The decision not to press charges against Sir Cliff Richard over sex abuse allegations is being reviewed after it was challenged by one of his accusers.

The singer, 75, had his home in Berkshire searched by police in 2014 after four men came forward with allegations of sexual assault against him.

He was never arrested or charged but the search was filmed and he was named publicly as the subject of a probe.

A spokesman for the CPS confirmed it had received an application under the victims' right to review scheme over the decision made in relation to the star. Alleged victims have up to three months to apply for a review after the original decision is made. He said the review was ongoing.

Sir Cliff said he was “thrilled“ the investigation had been brought to a close after the decision was announced in July, saying his life was “effectively turned upside down” by the events.

“I have always maintained my innocence, co-operated fully with the investigation, and cannot understand why it has taken so long to get to this point,” he said.

A spokesperson for Sir Cliff declined to comment.

Additional reporting by the Press Association