A BBC journalist accused of fraud apologized for an interview with Princess Diana



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A report by former Judge John Dyson released Thursday said that Bashir had ordered falsified bank statements, falsely showing that some of Diana’s closest assistants had been paid by the secret services to follow him.

Bashir, 58, showed those excerpts to Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, and convinced him to arrange a meeting for him with Diana to gain her trust and set up an interview.

Bashir told Diana’s children, William and Harry, that they “really liked” The Sunday Times.

“I never wanted to hurt Diana in any way and I don’t think we would,” he told the newspaper.

But William said the misleading way the interview was obtained had a “significant effect” on what his mother said on the air and contributed greatly to the collapse of his parents’ relationship.

She added that the BBC had failed to take proper care of her, which had “significantly contributed to her fears, paranoia and isolation” in her last years of life.

William’s younger brother Harry said in a separate statement that the investigation report was “a first step towards justice and righteousness,” but that the deceptive and deceptive practice still exists today and contributed to the death of his mother. .

“The culture of exploitation and unethical practices set off a chain reaction that ultimately took his life,” the prince added.

The princess died in a car accident in the French capital on August 31, 1997, in an attempt to escape the paparazzi. Diana was 36 years old.

Ms. Bashir refuted the allegations, saying: “I don’t think I can be held responsible for many other things that have happened in her life and the complex issues surrounding those decisions.”

“I think the claim that I am solely responsible is unfounded and unfair,” he told the newspaper.

“I love her”

According to the reporter, the 1995 interview took place in the conditions set by Diana, and after that interview, they remained good friends.

“My family and I love her,” Bashir said, revealing that Diana had visited his wife and newborn in hospital and held a birthday party for the journalist’s eldest son at Kensington Palace.

Bashir has said that he regrets showing Fiana’s brother the forged documents, but said it had “no effect” on what Princess Diana said during the interview.

Questions have long been raised about how Bashir persuaded Diana to give an interview to the popular BBC program Panorama. This time, the show, which won a series of television awards, was watched by a record number of people: 22.8 million.

During the interview, Diana famously said that her marriage “had three people”: she, Charles and his longtime lover, current wife Camilla Parker Bowles, also admitted to being unfaithful to her husband.

Bashir was a little-known face on television at the time, but later made a successful career on American television, interviewing stars like Michael Jackson.

The pop artist’s family also blames Bashir for his death, saying the aftermath of the published interview led to the star’s growing dependence on drugs.

In 2016, Bashir returned to work as a religious correspondent for the BBC. Last week, a few hours before Dyson’s report was presented to the BBC’s management, Bashir withdrew from the public service broadcaster, citing health concerns.

An internal investigation carried out in 1996 by future BBC director Tony Hall and another influential figure, Anne Sloman, justified Bashir.

Hall, who served as chairman of the British National Gallery’s board of trustees until Saturday, admitted earlier this week that the investigation “did not meet the requirements” and said he had “made a mistake in acquitting Bashir of wrongdoing. of tests “.

Hall resigned from the British National Gallery on Saturday.

“As I said two days ago, I deeply regret the events of 25 years ago and I believe that being a leader means taking responsibility,” says the report, distributed by the world-famous London Gallery.

The government’s review of the funding and governance of the BBC is scheduled for next year. Interior Minister Priti Patel called it a “very, very important moment” on Sunday.

“There is no doubt that trust has been undermined, and now is the time for the BBC to fully reflect on the report’s findings and restore trust,” he told Sky News.

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