Cliff Richard - cut through the waffle; all media only wants A Great Story and doesn't care about collateral damage as long as they get it. Police and the CPS want publicity to bolster weak claims and don't care about the truth. Simples. The collusion between the two is dangerous and becomes lethal when joined by the Legal Profession. Be it bent lawyers, greedy barristers or lazy judges - the result is often innocent people going to jail. Cliff was lucky to escape that - with simply the word of loonies (often criminals); he'd be in jail today if just one loony could have proved he had actually once MET Cliff.

It's funny but also disgusting and shocking. It reminds me of my second trial where I was declared NOT GUILTY of all charges when the jury rocked with laughter at a serious mistake made by a false accuser. Judges do not like their serious court dramas turning into comedy.

After being told Mr Johnson had a tip-off that police were investigating the singer, Mr Smith wrote: "Congratulations and jubilations, I want the world to know I'm happy as can be." He told the court: "This was a private communication with a trusted colleague, it was not, clearly, meant for publication." His response prompted an outburst of laughter in court as he added: "To be honest, seeing this, I regret writing what I wrote."

Mr Smith, who was UK news editor for BBC News at the time of the search and is now the BBC's head of news and current affairs in Scotland, also denied he was "excited" about the story when he wrote the email. He said: "I'm not sure the word excitement is quite right. I was pleased that one of our reporters had the beginnings of an important story."

After Mr Justice Mann asked him a further question about whether his use of the word "wow" in the email suggested he was excited, he added: "I was definitely surprised. As I say I'm not sure I would describe my feelings as excited, but definitely surprised."

And for those who do not believe the stress and the damage it causes - the picture tells the story.

Henriques...