Pressure grows on Met Police to re-open Martin Bashir probe

Lord Dyson found Bashir was in ‘serious breach’ of BBC guidelines

(Picture: PA)

Scotland Yard said it will assess Lord Dyson’s scathing report into Martin Bashir’s BBC interview with Diana, Princess of Wales “to ensure there is no significant new evidence” of potential crimes.

The force is under growing pressure to investigate Bashir, reversing a decision to take no action in March.

Lord Dyson found Bashir was in “serious breach” of BBC guidelines when he faked bank statements and showed them to Diana’s brother Earl Spencer to gain access to her.

On Friday Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said an investigation was a matter for the police but added on Radio 4’s Today: “I think anybody reading the headlines and the summary of Lord Dyson’s findings will be struck by his use of those words, fraud and deception.”

A lawyer for Earl Spencer’s former head of security, Alan Waller, made an official complaint to Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick in January alleging potential fraud.

Richard Ayre, the BBC’s controller of editorial policy in 1995, believes Bashir may have committed a crime.

Former chief superintendent Dai Davies, who once led the Met’s royal protection unit, said there was “clear and unequivocal evidence” the allegations should be investigated.