UK police won’t probe journalist over 1995 Diana interview
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) — British police said Thursday that they will not launch a criminal investigation into the journalist Martin Bashir over his 1995 interview with Princess Diana.
The Metropolitan Police force said “no further action will be taken” over allegations Bashir used illegal subterfuge to get the interview.
Diana’s brother. Charles Spencer, has alleged that Bashir used false documents, including fake bank statements, and other dishonest tactics to convince Diana to agree to the interview.
Princess of Wales Diana poses, 27 January 1988, during her visit to the Footscray Park in suburb of Melbourne. (Photo by PATRICK RIVIERE / AFP) (Photo credit should read PATRICK RIVIERE/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Charles and the Princess of Wales (1961 – 1997, later Diana, Princess of Wales) at Westminster Abbey, London, for a centenary service for the Royal College Of Music, 28th February 1982. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Lady Diana Spencer and Camilla Parker-Bowles at Ludlow Races where Prince Charles is competing, 1980. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Archive Photos)
FILE – This Jan. 22, 2013 file photo shows Martin Bashir at the EA SimCity Learn. Build. Create. Inauguration After-Party, in Washington. British police said Thursday March 4, 2021, that they will not launch a criminal investigation into the journalist Martin Bashir over his 1995 interview with the late Princess Diana. (Photo by Nick Wass/Invision/AP, File)
WASHINGTON, : Diana, Princess of Wales, a key volunteer of the British Red Cross Landmine Campaign listens to speaker Ken Rutherford who was injured by a land mine in Somalia at ceremonies at Red Cross headquarters in Washington DC 17 June 1997. The event draws attention to the devastation caused by some 120 million landmines scattered throughout more than 70 countries as the result of decades of conflict and to call for a global ban on anti-personnel landmines. AFP PHOTO by Jamal A. WILSON (Photo credit should read JAMAL A. WILSON/AFP via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 14: Picture dated 14 November 1992 of Princess Diana leaving the first anti-AIDS bookshop in Paris. Diana, Princess of Wales died in hospital early 31 August after a midnight car crash in central Paris in which her friend the Egyptian millionaire film-producer Dodi al-Fayed and driver were also killed. At the time of the crash, the car was being pursued by paparazzi press photographers on motorcycles. (Photo credit should read VINCENT AMALVY/AFP via Getty Images)
British Royal Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997), wearing a blue jacket over a black dress, with Eton housemaster Dr Andrew Gailey, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles outside Manor House on Prince William’s first day at Eton College in Eton, Berkshire, England, 16th September 1995. (Photo by Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
LONDON – APRIL 09: HRH The Duchess Of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles and her husband HRH Prince Charles meet the crowd following the Service of Prayer and Dedication after their marriage at The Guildhall, at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2005 in Berkshire, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall decorates the Clarence House Christmas Tree virtually with children from Helen & Douglas House Hospice, on December 16, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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Police Commander Alex Murray said detectives had “carefully assessed” the allegations and sought advice from lawyers.
“Following this detailed assessment and in view of the advice we received, we have determined that it is not appropriate to begin a criminal investigation into these allegations,” he said. “No further action will be taken.
“In this matter, as in any other, should any significant new evidence come to light we will assess it,” he added.
The interview, in which Diana famously said “there were three of us in this marriage” — referring to Prince Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles —was watched by millions of people and sent shockwaves through the monarchy.
Diana divorced from Charles in 1996 and died in a Paris car crash in 1997 as she was pursued by paparazzi. Charles married Camilla, now the Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005.
