Channel 4 has commissioned Curious Films to produce a documentary about Operation Yewtree and its lasting impact on the U.K.<\/p>\n
Launched ten years ago, the Operation Yewtree police investigation put some of Britain\u2019s biggest entertainers on trial for historic sex crimes. The Accused: National Treasures on Trial<\/em> features three figures accused by Operation Yewtree\u2014or one of the subsequent investigations it spawned\u2014but who were either never arrested, charged or convicted: Sir Cliff Richard, radio DJ Paul Gambaccini and former Pop Idol<\/em> judge and DJ Neil Fox.<\/p>\n The documentary will feature video diaries recorded with Gambaccini and Fox at the time, exploring the immediate and longer-lasting impact the process had on them, their families, careers and reputations, as well as examining the wider legacy of Yewtree through their eyes. It also hears from some of those close to the police investigation, along with journalists who were involved in the national conversation surrounding the investigation.<\/p>\n Lee McMurray, commissioning editor for factual entertainment at Channel 4, said: \u201cThis film offers a unique and fresh take on events that changed us forever, compelling viewers to ask important questions about a watershed moment in recent British history. The hurt and anger felt by three household names caught in the eye of the storm sparked by Yewtree is weighed against the need for and value of a police operation that, while not perfect, delivered long overdue justice to victims of heinous crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n Jessie Versluys, executive producer at Curious Films, added: \u201cThe Accused: National Treasures<\/em> on Trial<\/em> explores what it\u2019s like to find yourself at the heart of a police investigation into alleged historic sex crimes. Using firsthand testimonies, it looks at the role of the media during this period, and the argument around whether celebrities should be named in the press before any charge has been made. At the same time, it asks searching questions about Yewtree and assesses its role in changing Britain\u2019s attitudes toward sex, morality, consent, gender relations and what we expect from public figures.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Channel 4 has commissioned Curious Films to produce a documentary about Operation Yewtree and its lasting impact on the U.K.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1033,"featured_media":18591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[289,3292,6374],"class_list":["post-18590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-top-stories","tag-channel-4","tag-curious-films","tag-the-accused-national-treasures-on-trial","pmpro-has-access"],"yoast_head":"\n