An internal BBC investigation has shown journalist, Martin Bashir acted deceitfully to secure the interview with Princess Diana in 1995. It was found that the BBC Panorama interview with the late royal was coaxed.
Bashir had reportedly used forged bank statements to coax Diana’s sibling into introducing him to the princess. The journalist had purported that he made payments in the account of the former head of security of Diana’s brother. He also allegedly paid two former members of the royal household for the interview.
However, the journalist is now apologising and saying he did not mean any harm. In a recent comment posted on The Time, he said: “I never wanted to harm Diana in any way and I don’t believe we did. Everything we did in terms of the interview was as she wanted, from when she wanted to alert the palace, to when it was broadcast, to its contents.”
He also added that he and his family loved the princess. However, when he asked if he is able to forgive himself, he said: “That’s a really difficult question because it was a serious error. I hope that people will allow me the opportunity to show that I am properly repentant of what happened.”
Martin Bashir apologises
Diana died two years after the interview with Bashir. In the interview, she opened up for the first time about her failed marriage to Prince William at the time. She also shocked viewers, as well as the royal family when she broke her silence about the rumours of infidelity.
Prince William and Harry have since released a statement to the BBC. The statement read: “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.”
“But what saddens me most, is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived.” Bashir has since responded to this where he said he should not be held responsible for anything else that happened in the princess’ life.
The BBC and the former BBC journalist have since issued a public apology on the issue. This came after the findings of the probe on the issue was published. The probe was launched last year at the request of Diana’s brother, Earl Charles Spencer.
58-year-old Bashir recently left his job at the BBC due to illness,
