BBC agrees substantial payout to Princess Diana's private secretary

BBC agrees substantial payout to Princess Diana's private secretary
March 17, 2022, 4:03 pm

Princess Diana-Prince of Wales/Facebook page

The Swiss Info reported, citing Reuters, the BBC said on Thursday it had agreed to make a substantial payout to the former private secretary of the late Princess Diana over the corporation's now much-criticised 1995 interview with the royal.

Last May, a report concluded that BBC journalist Martin Bashir had used deceit to obtain the interview which caused a sensation when Diana admitted to an affair, and shared details of her marriage to the heir to the throne, Prince Charles.

In a statement, the BBC said it had now reached a settlement with Patrick Jephson, who worked for Diana until shortly before her 1997 death in a Parish car crash.

The statement said: "The BBC accepts and acknowledges that serious harm was caused to Commander Jephson as a result of the circumstances in which the 1995 interview with Diana, Princess of Wales was obtained, which have become apparent as a result of the Dyson Report."

BBC offices in Scotland, UK (File photo: Pixabay)

"The BBC apologises unreservedly to Commander Jephson for the harm caused to him and has paid his legal costs. The BBC has also paid Commander Jephson a substantial sum in damages, which he intends to donate in full to British charities nominated by him."

In a statement, Jephson said it was a "relief finally to reach a conclusion to this painful episode".

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The report, headed by former senior judge John Dyson, found that Bashir had deceived Diana's brother into arranging a meeting with her by producing fake bank statements suggesting she was being bugged by the security services and that two senior aides were being paid to provide information about her.

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Its conclusions drew an angry rebuke from Diana's son, Prince William, who said the 'Panorama' interview had poisoned his parents relationship and hurt countless others.

Source: swissinfo

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