The star won a case against the BBC over the broadcaster’s report that the singer was being investigated about historical child sexual assault claims. Today he launched a bid to force parliament to change the laws on sex-offence investigations ordering the police to ensure anonymity until charges are brought.

Sir Cliff was never charged and the so-called case collapsed.

Speaking outside Parliament today Sir Cliff said: “I wasn’t accused of stealing I was accused of sex offences.

“I still go to bed at night thinking what is happening to me.

“I felt my reputation was in tatters. Everywhere I have been on the planet has head the story.

“The case confirmed that every person has reasonable expectation of privacy in relation top police investigations and searches.

“During that four years I felt IU had been hung out to dry.

“We found it difficult to believe that people could be evil enough to tell an absolute lie about an innocent person.”

Sir Cliff Richard was joined by pal  DJ Paul Gambaccini who was falsely accused of historical sex offences. The pair have joined forces with a new pressure group called Fair (Falsely Accused Individuals for Reform) and are helping  launch a petition to try to force a change in the law to give anonymity to those who are accused of sexual offences until they are charged.

The petition already has more than 2,000 signatures amnd is aiming for 100,000 to ensure the issue is brought before MPs.

In a statement on the pressure group’s website Sir Cliff said: “Being falsely accused myself and having that exposed in the media was the worst thing that has happened to me in my entire life.

“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.”

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