BBC director-general Tim Davie admits hiring Martin Bashir was a ‘big mistake’. Martin is working a ‘short notice’ period after quitting for health reasons.
This statement comes shortly after a BBC report by Lord Dyson has found Princess Diana was deceived in order to secure the famous interview. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirms that the report shows “damning failings at the heart of the BBC”.
A massive failing being the forging of bank statements my Mr Bashir. Mr Bashir apologises for his actions, saying it was a “stupid thing to do” and an “action he deeply regrets”. However, he does not believe this action has any bearing on Diana’s ‘personal choice’ to do the interview.
Mr Bashir became the religious correspondent for the BBC in 2016, almost 20 years after the interview that made him a household name in journalism. He left the BBC in 2000 for ITV, before returning. Originally stepping down in April due to Covid 19 related illness, he was re hired this year. He is now working a short three month notice period which is nearly up, before retiring.
Where did it go wrong for Martin Bashir?
Princess Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir remains, to this day, a huge scoop for the BBC. Broadcast in 1995 by Panorama, it gave the public a candid look into royal life unlike anything seen before.
In the shocking interview, Princess Diana not only admitted adultery but also accused the staff of then husband Prince Charles of waging a campaign against her. In a quote now synonymous with Camilla and Prince Charles, Diana famously states “there were three people in my marriage”.
With over 20 million viewers, this remains one of the biggest interviews ever held on the BBC. Unprecedently, the Queen wrote a letter to both Diana and Charles instructing them to divorce.
However, shortly after the airing of the interview, questions emerged surrounding the methods used to secure the interview. In order to gain the trust of Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, he was shown bank documents. Bank documents showing payments by a newspaper group to a member of staff of Earl Spencer. This helped Mr Bashir gain an exclusive with the peoples Princess.
A graphic designer working for the BBC reveals these are fake, created at the request of Mr Bashir. While Mr Bashir admits requesting the creation but denies ever showing them to Earl Spencer. A letter, with Diana’s signature at the bottom, confirms she never saw these documents prior to her interview.
Mr Bashir stands by his belief that he did not dupe the Princess. Talking to The Sunday Times, he says “everything we did in terms of the interview was what she wanted”. He alleges the interview, and its surrounding publicity, follows her lead. Diana was in charge, deciding when to “alert the palace, its broadcast date and even its contents”.
Royal reaction to Martin Bashir interview
The interview is the subject of heavy criticism by Prince William and Harry, Diana’s sons. The heir to the throne claims the interview fails his mother “not only by a rogue reporter, but leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than ask tough questions”. Whereas, Harry believes the exploitation of his mother opened a culture of unethical practices and eventually “took his mothers life”.
The Director general has stated the interview will never be shown again. However, he does believe people need to “discuss clips and reflect on them”.
The former journalist does not “feel I can be held responsible for other things going on in her life”. Nor does he want to be held responsible for the “complex issues surrounding her decisions”
Looking for additional living space or somewhere quiet to work from home? Look no further – Log cabins at affordable prices.