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Princes Harry and William believe BBC interview contributed to her death

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Updated on June 2, 2021

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Prince Harry blamed his mother’s death on a harmful media culture.

William and Harry’s remarks came shortly after an investigation revealed that BBC journalist Martin Bashir had used deceptive techniques to obtain an interview with Diana, and that the channel has subsequently attempted to cover it up.

Prince William stated that he was “most saddened” Diana was never made aware of her deception.

After earlier ruling against a criminal inquiry, the Met Police said it will review the latest findings.

In a rare forthright statement, William stated that his mother had been let down not just by the “rogue reporter” but also by BBC executives who “who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions”

“(The BBC) displayed woeful incompetence when investigating complaints and concerns about the programme and were evasive in their reporting to the media and covered up what they knew from their internal investigation. It is my view that the deceitful way in which the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said,” he said.

William and Harry’s remarks came shortly after an inquiry found that BBC reporter Martin Bashir had obtained an interview with Diana through dubious ways and that the channel had subsequently attempted to cover it up.

Diana died in an automobile accident in Paris, France, in 1997, at the age of 36. More than 20 million people were estimated to have witnessed Diana share the circumstances of her marriage to Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, in a dramatic BBC “Panorama” interview two years earlier.

In a separate statement, his brother, Prince Harry, stated that his mother died as a result of the “ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices.” He voiced worry that such methods “are still widespread,” noting that it was “bigger than one outlet, network, or publication.”

“Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed. By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life,” he said.

Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, resigned from their positions as working royals early last year, citing hostility from the British tabloid press that they said Buckingham Palace had failed to defend them from.

The BBC initiated an inquiry late last year when Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother, said he was duped into introducing her to Bashir. According to the conclusions of the inquiry, which was led by retired senior judge John Dyson, Bashir had commissioned false bank statements from a graphic designer who worked for the BBC.

They claimed to have evidence of financial transactions indicating that Diana was being bugged by security agencies and that two senior assistants were paid to fabricate lies about her. According to the report, Bashir lied to his superiors about how the interview was conducted on many occasions, and senior authorities at the TV station reportedly failed to investigate his version of events.

The retired judge who conducted the probe, Lord John Dyson, gave his conclusions on Thursday.

“I am satisfied that the BBC covered up in its press logs such facts as it had been able to establish about how Mr Bashir secured the interview,” his report stated.

The BBC made a “full and unconditional” apology and also wrote to Princes William and Harry, as well as Prince Charles and Earl Spencer.

Bashir said that mocking up the documents was “was a stupid thing to do” but that it had no influence on Diana’s decision to be interviewed.

Diana’s note, which was revealed in the report for the first time, stated that she had no regrets about the broadcast and that Bashir did not show her the forged papers. The BBC used it as proof to back up Bashir’s assertions.