DThe British BBC says it has donated the proceeds from a legendary interview with Princess Diana that was fraudulently obtained. The 1.42 million pounds (1.64 million euros) went to charity, the public broadcaster announced on Friday. Accordingly, seven organizations were selected whose interests had been supported by Lady Di, including the homeless aid organization Centrepoint and the National Aids Trust.
In the explosive interview from November 1995, Princess Diana spoke about her difficult marriage to the British heir to the throne Prince Charles, his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles and her own infidelity. The conversation was awarded several television prizes.
Diana and Charles divorced shortly after the interview. On August 31, 1997, Diana died at the age of 36 after her car crashed into a bridge pillar during a paparazzi chase in Paris.
Career jump for journalist
The explosive interview with Diana was obtained by the then unknown journalist Martin Bashir using dishonest means: among other things, he showed Diana’s brother Charles Spencer fake bank statements that apparently proved that court employees were being paid to spy on Lady Di. She then agreed to the memorable interview about her failed marriage.
The interview gave Bashir a huge boost to his career. He later interviewed various other stars such as pop icon Michael Jackson.
In an independent report released in May 2021, former Supreme Court Justice John Dyson found that Bashir used fraudulent methods. He criticized the BBC for their handling of the case.
In the matter, the BBC has already paid damages to several victims. Diana’s former private secretary, Patrick Jephson, received money, as did graphic designer Matt Wiessler, who exposed the legendary interview’s unfair conduct.
In July, BBC boss Tim Davie said Princes William and Harry’s former nanny was also receiving “considerable damages” for “false and malicious” claims. According to Alexandra Pettifer’s lawyer, the false claims about the nanny’s affair with Prince Charles were made “in the context of BBC Panorama’s efforts” to secure an exclusive interview with Diana.
