Diana interview: PM concerned after inquiry into BBC deceit

The BBC should take "every possible step" to ensure that nothing like its deceit of the Princess of Wales to secure an interview ever happens again, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

The PM said he was "very concerned" after an inquiry found Martin Bashir faked documents for his 1995 interview.

The Duke of Cambridge said the deception fuelled his mother's paranoia and worsened his parents relationship.

The BBC said it had made fundamental changes in governance since the 1990s.

Mr Johnson said he was grateful to retired judge Lord Dyson for carrying out the inquiry, which found the BBC covered up "deceitful behaviour" by Bashir to secure the headline-making interview.

"I can only imagine the feelings of the Royal Family and I hope very much that the BBC will be taking every possible step to make sure nothing like this ever happens again," he said.

After ministers suggested that the broadcaster's governance may need to be changed, the corporation said there had been two substantial changes to how it is overseen since the time of the interview but "there is much to reflect on".

It defended rehiring Bashir as religion editor in 2016, when questions were already being asked about his conduct, saying the post was filled after a competitive interview process. Bashir has since resigned without a pay-off.

The BBC said it would review the reporter's other work "where evidence is made available".

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May 22, 2021 at 12:26AM
By Joseph Lee
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57200207