BBC journalist Martin Bashir will not face action over Princess Diana interview, Metropolitan Police say

Diana, Princess of Wales, during her interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC
PA

The Metropolitan Police has ruled out a criminal investigation into BBC journalist Martin Bashir’s 1995 interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said officers sought legal advice from internal lawyers, independent counsel and the Crown Prosecution Service and determined is was “not appropriate” to launch a criminal probe.

A former employee of Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, who claims he was the subject of false documents allegedly used to gain access to Diana, Princess of Wales, had earlier made a complaint to the force.

Commander Alex Murray said: “In recent months the Metropolitan Police Service received correspondence alleging unlawful activity in connection with a documentary broadcast in 1995. This was carefully assessed by specialist detectives.

“They obtained legal advice from Metropolitan Police lawyers, independent counsel and from the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Following this detailed assessment and in view of the advice we received, we have determined that it is not appropriate to begin a criminal investigation into these allegations. No further action will be taken.

“In this matter, as in any other, should any significant new evidence come to light we will assess it.”

The BBC has previously said in a statement that during an internal corporation investigation in 1996 Mr Bashir admitted commissioning mocked-up bank documents.

And whilst they had been shown to Earl Spencer, he said they had played no part in securing the princess’s appearance on the BBC’s Panorama programme in 1995.

Earl Spencer’s claims have led the BBC to appoint Lord Dyson, former Master of the Rolls and head of civil justice, to lead a new independent investigation, which has already begun, to discover what steps the BBC and Mr Bashir took to land the interview with Diana.

Mr Bashir began working as a journalist in 1986 but made headlines around the world in 1995 for his BBC interview with Diana, Princess of Wales for Panorama.

In October last year, a spokeswoman for the BBC said Mr Bashir was “seriously unwell with Covid-19 complications”.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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