The Met Police says it will assess the contents of the inquiry into the BBC’s Martin Bashir interview with Princess Diana to ensure there is no “significant new evidence” to support a criminal investigation.
In March this year, the force said it was “not appropriate” to launch a criminal investigation into “unlawful activity” in connection with Mr Bashir’s 1995 interview with Diana.
On Friday, the Met said in a statement: “Following the publication of Lord Dyson’s report we will assess its contents to ensure there is no significant new evidence.”
Prince William and his brother Harry have both criticised the corporation’s failures surrounding the Panorama interview with their mother, with the Duke of Cambridge saying it “contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation”.
Mr Bashir had faked bank statements, which was a “serious breach” of BBC guidelines on straight-dealing, as he showed them to Diana’s brother Earl Spencer to gain access to her, the inquiry by Lord Dyson concluded.
He has since stepped down as the BBC’s religion editor due to ongoing health issues.
Despite his ill health, he and the BBC have apologised over the report’s findings, with Mr Bashir describing his decision to fake the bank statements as a “stupid thing to do” and “an action I deeply regret”.
But he claimed it had “no bearing whatsoever on the personal choice by Princess Diana to take part in the interview”.
The Panorama programme, which aired in November 1995, was watched by 23 million people.
Prince William has called for it never to be broadcast again, adding: “This settled narrative now needs to be addressed by the BBC and anyone else who has written or intends to write about these events.”
Prince Harry said in his response: “Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed.”
