Princess Diana and Martin Bashir: Timeline of the BBC Panorama scandal as former BBC reporter is ‘to be found guilty of deceit’

In 1995, the BBC aired its documentary interview, titled An Interview with HRH The Princess of Wales.

Bashir interviewed the royal, and it became a career-defining moment for him as well as the interview having monumental implications.

It was watched by 23million people in the UK.

Diana famously said of her marriage to Prince Charles, ‘there were three of us in this marriage’, confirming his affair with Camilla.

In 1996, Bashir was cleared of any wrongdoing when the BBC launched an investigation into the interview.

It was claimed that Bashir had doctored bank statements shown to Diana ahead of the interview, which purported to show that two senior courtiers were being paid by the security services for information.

Matt Wiessler, a graphic designer who worked on BBC programmes, told The Guardian he was called up by Bashir in 1995, who asked him to mock up the bank statements.

However, Tony Hall, who was the BBC news chief at the time and then later became Director-General, said Bashir ‘wasn’t thinking’ and was ultimately an ‘honest and honourable man’.

According to the BBC, Diana wrote a note stating that she did not see the false statements before the interview, and so they did not influence her decision to take part.

Three documentaries about the BBC interview with Diana aired in close succession on ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 last year.

In the Channel 4 documentary, it was revealed that Bashir was seriously ill with coronavirus complications.

The documentaries re-ignited interest in the controversial interview.

Last year, Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, accused the BBC of using the faked bank statements to secure an interview with the late royal.

He accused Bashir of ‘sheer dishonesty’ and claimed he would not have introduced his sister to him if he had not seen the false statements.

Following Earl Spencer’s claims, BBC Director-General Tim Davie is thought to have apologised for the false statements.

He reportedly wrote to Earl Spencer to make the apology but declined to open an investigation into Bashir’s conduct.

Following his claims, Earl Spencer called for the BBC to investigate the faked bank statements.

He rejected the broadcaster’s apology.

A BBC spokesperson said the corporation was happy to apologise again and pledged to investigate any ‘substantive new information’.

They added: ‘We have asked Earl Spencer to share further information with the BBC. Unfortunately, we are hampered at the moment by the simple fact that we are unable to discuss any of this with Martin Bashir, as he is seriously unwell. When he is well, we will of course hold an investigation into these new issues.’

Davie said the BBC was ‘determined to get to the truth’ about the interview, appointing Lord Dyson to lead an independent investigation.

He said: ‘The BBC is determined to get to the truth about these events and that is why we have commissioned an independent investigation.

‘Formerly Master of the Rolls and a Justice of the Supreme Court, Lord Dyson is an eminent and highly respected figure who will lead a thorough process.’

Lord Dyson added: ‘This is an important investigation which I will start straight away. I will ensure it is both thorough and fair.’

Shortly the BBC launched its investigation, Ofcom said it wouldn’t follow suit as it ‘does not have regulatory remit to investigate.’

‘However, we think it is essential that the BBC ensures that the concerns raised about this programme are investigated thoroughly,’ it said in a letter to the BBC.

‘Therefore, we welcome your announcement yesterday of a fully independent inquiry, to be led by Lord Dyson into the events surrounding the making of the original programme, as well as the BBC’s investigation of it in 1995 and 1996.

‘We will follow the inquiry and its conclusions closely,’ it added.

Last year, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick did not rule out a criminal investigation.

She said: ‘We have not received a complaint from somebody who is giving us any evidence for us to assess.

‘So, if they were to, we would, of course, assess whether any crime has been committed or may appear to have been committed and, if so, whether it is appropriate for us to do an investigation.’

However. Scotland Yard Commander Alex Murray later confirmed that there will be no investigation into whether Bashir doctored evidence to land an interview with the Princess.

He said: ‘In recent months the Metropolitan Police Service received correspondence alleging unlawful activity in connection with a documentary broadcast in 1995. This was carefully assessed by specialist detectives. 

‘They obtained legal advice from Metropolitan Police lawyers, independent counsel and from the Crown Prosecution Service.

‘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. 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.’ 

The BBC announced an upcoming Panorama special on how Bashir managed to convince the Princess of Wales to take part in the discussion at Kensington Palace, amid claims that she was lied to and shown false documents.

Bashir quit his role at the BBC on health grounds amid the investigation.

The BBC’s head of newsgathering, Jonathan Munro told staff: ‘Martin Bashir has stepped down from his position as the BBC’s religion editor and is leaving the corporation.

‘He let us know of his decision last month, just before being readmitted to hospital for another surgical procedure on his heart.

‘Although he underwent major surgery toward the end of last year, he is facing some ongoing issues and has decided to focus on his health.

‘We wish him a complete and speedy recovery.’

The BBC postponed the Panorama special over a ‘duty of care issue.’

Earl Spencer expressed his concerns over the delay, tweeting: ‘Well there’s a surprise. What’s next? My guess: a rush by the BBC Director General to get Lord Dyson’s report out, before its expected publication date on Friday, so he can claim, with apparent regret: “Sadly this Panorama is now no longer relevant.”’

Most recently, it was reported that the BBC investigation will find Bashir guilty of using deceitful methods to land the conversation.

According to The Telegraph, a source said: ‘It will be a true eye-opener. This could be the BBC’s phone hacking moment.’

The publication claimed that the retired judge found that Bashir breached the firm’s editorial guidelines by producing fake bank statements that were shown to Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, in order to gain his trust.

Kensington Palace is reportedly still waiting to hear whether the royal family and the Duke of Cambridge will be able to see the report before it is published widely.