Princess Diana interview controversy set to face ‘urgent’ investigation

The princess famously told Mr Bashir there were three people in her marriage
AP
Robert Dex @RobDexES9 November 2020

The BBC today pledged to “get to the bottom” of the controversy around Martin Bashir’s bombshell interview with Princess Diana.

It comes as broadcast rivals ITV were tonight showing the first of two documentaries about the programme that caused a sensation in 1995.

Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has claimed Mr Bashir showed him fake bank documents purporting to prove courtiers were selling stories about his sister in order to gain his confidence and get access to Diana.

The princess famously told Mr Bashir there were three people in her marriage — a reference to Prince Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles — in the interview which created headlines around the world.

The earl had demanded an independent inquiry into the row and dubbed an earlier BBC internal review a whitewash. A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC has made clear it will investigate the issues raised and that this will be independent. We will set out the terms of reference in due course. We will do everything possible to get to the bottom of this.”

The corporation had said its efforts at investigating had been hampered by Mr Bashir’s ill health. The spokeswoman added that he is recovering from quadruple heart bypass surgery and has “significant complications” from previously contracting Covid-19.

The BBC’s pledge came as legal experts claimed some of those whose names were said to have been used by Mr Bashir could sue for libel. David Hooper, a retired lawyer who has complained to Ofcom about the controversy, said they “could win quite substantial damages”.

Legal experts also suggested the BBC could face a police inquiry if Mr Bashir used forged documents to persuade the princess to be interviewed by him.

Former BBC chairman Lord Grade said: “There needs to be an urgent independent inquiry to get all the facts into the public domain about what happened.”

Scotland Yard has said a complaint would have to be made before they could consider an investigation.

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