The findings of the BBC’s inquiry into the tactics Martin Bashir used to obtain his sensational interview with Princess Diana are due to be published, and former senior executives associated with the 1995 Panorama programme have been told to expect criticism in the report. According to Thursday’s Daily Telegraph, the report has concluded Bashir deployed deceitful methods in securing the interview, in breach of BBC editorial rules. The BBC has said it holds a handwritten note from Diana stating that the documents played “no part in her decision to take part in the interview”. Hall later became the BBC director general and was in post when the broadcaster took Bashir on again as religion editor in 2016. The media attention and persistent lobbying from Spencer resulted in the BBC launching a new investigation into the interview, a move welcomed by Prince William as a “step in the right direction”.

Source: The Guardian May 20, 2021 04:52 UTC