The BBC has said the full-scale probe into the interview conducted by journalist Martin Bashir with Princess Diana in 1995 will be led by former Supreme Court Judge, Lord Dyson.
The infamous interview in the ’90s, watched by over 22 million people, sent shockwaves throughout the U.K. as Diana said the now-famous quote that there were “three of us in this marriage”, pertaining to her relationship with Prince Charles.
The quote was said to be hinting at an affair with, now wife, Camilla Parker Bowles. The subsequent aftermath led to an end to the union.
Diana’s brother Charles Spencer called on a new enquiry after delivering fresh evidence on Martin Bashir’s conduct in acquiring the interview. Bashir was originally cleared of wrongdoing by the BBC in 1996, though it was alleged he created fake bank statements using a BBC graphic designer that showed proof Palace courtiers were selling stories about Diana’s private life.
The investigation found however that the bank statements had not helped him ascertain the interview.
The former MSNBC anchor is currently recovering from quadruple heart bypass surgery and is still feeling the effects of his bout with Covid-19 earlier on in the year. It is not yet known whether Bashir can lend his voice to the inquisition.
The Investigation Terms
In a statement the BBC released the full terms of the investigation for reference:
1. What steps did the BBC and in particular Martin Bashir take with a view to obtaining the Panorama interview on 20 November 1995 with Diana, Princess of Wales? This will involve a consideration of all the relevant evidence including (i) the mocked up bank statements purporting to show payments to a former employee of Earl Spencer (ii) the purported payments to members of the Royal Households; and (iii) the other matters recently raised by Earl Spencer not limited to the matters published in the Daily Mail on 7 November 2020.
2. Were those steps appropriate, having regard in particular to the BBC’s editorial standards prevailing at the time?
3. To what extent did the actions of the BBC and in particular, Martin Bashir influence Diana, Princess of Wales’s decision to give an interview?
4. What knowledge did the BBC have in 1995 and 1996 of the relevant evidence referred to at paragraph 1 above?
5. Having regard to what was known at the time of its investigation in 1995 and 1996, how effectively did the BBC investigate the circumstances leading to the interview?
Dyson will be supported by solicitors firm Fieldfisher LLP who also worked on the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed.
Lord Dyson said: “This is an important investigation which I will start straight away. I will ensure it is both thorough and fair.”
The BBC noted that the investigation will immediately begin and that a report will be published upon its conclusion.
“The BBC is determined to get to the truth about these events and that is why we have commissioned an independent investigation,” BBC Director General Tim Davie said on the commencement of the inquiry.
