BBC apologises to Princess Diana’s private secretary over interview deceit, pays ‘substantial’ damages
- The UK’s national broadcaster acknowledged that ‘serious harm’ was caused to Commander Patrick Jephson by the circumstances in which the interview was obtained
- The 1995 interview, in which Diana famously discussed the breakdown of her relationship with Prince Charles, was conducted by journalist Martin Bashir
The BBC said Thursday that it has apologised and paid a “substantial” sum to Princess Diana’s private secretary over subterfuge used to get an explosive television interview with the late royal.
The UK’s national broadcaster said it acknowledged that “serious harm” was caused to Patrick Jephson by the circumstances in which the 1995 interview, conducted by BBC journalist Martin Bashir, was obtained.
“The BBC apologises unreservedly to Commander Jephson for the harm caused to him and has paid his legal costs,” it said in a statement. “The BBC has also paid Commander Jephson a substantial sum in damages, which he intends to donate in full to British charities nominated by him.”
The 1995 interview, in which Diana discussed the breakdown of her relationship with Prince Charles – famously saying “There were three of us in this marriage” in reference to Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles – was watched by 23 million people in Britain and sent shock waves through the monarchy.
A report last year by a retired senior judge found Bashir used “deceitful behaviour” to get the interview, including showing Diana’s brother fake bank statements that falsely suggested members of Diana’s inner circle were being paid to spy on her. Judge John Dyson said the BBC obscured Bashir’s misconduct for 25 years.