Prince William says controversial BBC interview contributed to mother’s ‘fear, paranoia, and isolation’

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The United Kingdom’s Prince William said on Wednesday that a controversial 1995 BBC interview with his mother, Princess Diana, contributed to the “fear, paranoia, and isolation” she felt at the end of her life.

The royal’s statement was delivered in reaction to the release of an independent report from retired judge Lord Dyson, which concluded that Martin Bashir, the interviewer, “acted inappropriately” in the way he obtained the interview in which Diana infamously said there were “three of us” in her marriage, referring to Prince Charles’s relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles.

“It is my view that the deceitful way that the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said,” the Duke of Cambridge stated.

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He added, “The interview was a major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse, and has since hurt countless others. It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC’s failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her.”

Princess Diana and Prince Charles were divorced in 1996. The princess died in a 1997 car crash.

“Our mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service,” Prince Harry said in a statement. “She was resilient, brave and unquestionably honest. The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.”

Lord Dyson’s investigation concluded Bashir used fake bank statements to form a relationship with Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother.

“By showing Earl Spencer the fake Waller and Jephson/Aylard statements and informing him of their contents, Mr Bashir deceived and induced him to arrange a meeting with Princess,” he said, adding, “By gaining access to Princess Diana in this way, Mr Bashir was able to persuade her to agree to give the interview. This behaviour was in serious breach of the 1993 edition of the BBC’s Producer Guidelines on straight dealing.”

The Earl told Lord Dyson that Bashir informed Diana she was being watched by MI6 but had previously told him she was being watched by MI5, according to the report.

“But it is important to add that Princess Diana would probably have agreed to be interviewed by [Nicholas] Witchell, or a BBC journalist of similar experience and reputation, even without the intervention of Mr Bashir. It is clear that by early to mid-August 1995 at the latest, she was very keen on the idea,” Dyson added.

“I apologized then, and I do so again now, over the fact that I asked for bank statements to be mocked up. It was a stupid thing to do and was an action I deeply regret,” Bashir said in a statement, adding “the bank statements had no bearing whatsoever on the personal choice by Princess Diana to take part in the interview.”

BBC announced to its staff on Friday that Bashir would be leaving the publication, citing concerns about his health. The former religion editor for the publication had been ill for several months and underwent quadruple bypass surgery last year, according to Variety.

An investigation into the tactics used to obtain the interview was conducted by BBC at the time, but Dyson concluded it was “woefully ineffective.”

“I have also concluded that, without justification, the BBC covered up in its press logs such facts as it had been able to establish about how Mr Bashir secured the interview; and failed to mention the issue at all on any news program and thereby fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark,” the former judge wrote.

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BBC has since apologized for its handling of the issue.

“Although the report states that Diana, Princess of Wales, was keen on the idea of an interview with the BBC, it is clear that the process for securing the interview fell far short of what audiences have a right to expect. We are very sorry for this. Lord Dyson has identified clear failings,” BBC director-general Tim Davie said in a statement.

Tags: News, Prince Harry, prince charles, BBC, Royals, United Kingdom

Original Author: Haley Victory Smith

Original Location: Prince William says controversial BBC interview contributed to mother’s ‘fear, paranoia, and isolation’