The BBC now apologise for the way it secured an interview with Princess Diana, following an independent inquiry. The Panorama programme hosted by Martin Bashir aired a quarter of a century ago.
The inquiry by former senior judge Lord Dyson, found the journalist deceived everyone in order to get the interview. He then lied to managers at the BBC.
What did Princess Diana say in the interview?
The controversial interview, broadcast in late 1995, was a major scoop for the BBC, with over 20 million people watching. It was the first time a serving member of the Royal Family spoke so candidly about their life and relationships. The interview was full of shocking revelations and personal details.
In the interview, the Princess of Wales talked about her marital issues, and even admitted to having an affair. She also spoke about her husband Prince Charles’ own affair with his now wife Camilla Parker Bowles. She referred to it as there being “three of us” in the marriage, and said it made her feel worthless. In addition, the princess talked about her struggles with an eating disorder, and how she self harmed.
Talking about the Royal Family, she suggested that Prince Charles would not make a good king, as he might not be able to adapt to it. She was also convinced that her husband’s staff were against her. She did not feel as though she really fit in and belonged, and thought she was not liked.
Shortly after the interview aired, there were talks about Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorcing.
Who is Martin Bashir and what did he do?
At the time of the interview, Martin Bashir was a relatively junior BBC reporter with no known royal background or contacts. It was a major coup for his career, and nobody really questioned how he achieved it. Since the interview, he has had great success over the years working for ITV’s Tonight With Trevor McDonald programme, and various US television networks. In 2016 he returned to work in the UK with the BBC. He resigned from his post as religion editor due to ill health post Covid.
According to reports, Mr Bashir deceived the Princess of Wales to secure the interview, and gain trust from her and her family. He gained confidence from Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, by showing him forged bank statements. The statements appeared to show evidence of payments by a newspaper group to a former member of his staff. The aim was to first gain the trust of Earl Spencer, so he would in turn introduce him to his sister Diana.
Mr Bashir has admitted the bank statements were mocked up by a graphic designer who worked for the BBC. However, he always denied to his bosses that these documents were shown to Earl Spencer. The lie was maintained until “he realised that it was no longer sustainable”. There is now huge doubt over the integrity and credibility of Mr Bashir.
Martin Bashir apologises for faking bank statements, but claims they had no bearing on Princess Diana’s decision to do the interview.
How are the BBC at fault?
The BBC is strongly criticised for their handling of the whole issue. The forged bank statements first came to light in early 1996, in the Mail on Sunday newspaper. However, an internal BBC inquiry conducted at the time, cleared all involved of any wrongdoing.
The original inquiry by director of news Tony Hall was inadequate because it failed to interview Earl Spencer. The BBC also covered up details on how Mr Bashir got the princess to agree to an interview. When questioned, the corporation did not give clear answers or reasons. They did not appear to take the issue seriously enough, and just gave MR Bashir the benefit of the doubt. They should have made more effort to get to the bottom of what really happened.
The new report identifies “clear failings” at the BBC. In conclusion, they “fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark”.
In response to all the criticism, the BBC say they now have better procedures in place.
Princes William and Harry say their mother’s interview caused a lot of hurt and upset. They believe she was failed by the BBC, who chose to “look the other way”. The interview had a huge impact on their parent’s marriage, and made everything worse. It heightened Diana’s paranoia, and ultimately fuelled consequences that led to her death.
Princess Diana died in Paris in 1997 after a car she was travelling in crashed inside a tunnel while trying to get away from the paparazzi who were chasing her.
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