Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Martin Bashir PA Images

Martin Bashir: 'I never wanted to harm Diana and I don’t believe we did'

The journalist’s reputation is in tatters following a report that he used “deceitful behaviour” to land his world exclusive 1995 interview.

MARTIN BASHIR HAS said he “never wanted to harm” Diana, Princess of Wales, with the Panorama interview, adding: “I don’t believe we did.”

The journalist’s reputation is in tatters following Lord Dyson’s report that he used “deceitful behaviour” to land his world exclusive 1995 interview.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Bashir maintained Diana was never unhappy about the content of the interview and said they continued to be friends after the broadcast, with the princess even visiting his wife Deborah at St George’s hospital in Tooting, south London, on the day Deborah gave birth to the couple’s third child, Eliza.

He told the newspaper: “I never wanted to harm Diana in any way and I don’t believe we did.

“Everything we did in terms of the interview was as she wanted, from when she wanted to alert the palace, to when it was broadcast, to its contents … My family and I loved her.”

He said he is “deeply sorry” to the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex, but disputes William’s charge that he fuelled her isolation and paranoia.

He said: “Even in the early 1990s, there were stories and secretly recorded phone calls. I wasn’t the source of any of that.”

Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, has said he “draws a line” between the interview and his sister’s death, claiming Bashir’s actions led her to give up her royal security detail.

Bashir, who left the BBC last week due to ill health, said: “I don’t feel I can be held responsible for many of the other things that were going on in her life, and the complex issues surrounding those decisions.

“I can understand the motivation [of Earl Spencer’s comments] but to channel the tragedy, the difficult relationship between the royal family and the media purely on to my shoulders feels a little unreasonable … The suggestion I am singularly responsible I think is unreasonable and unfair.”

False documents 

Bashir commissioned documents purporting to show payments into the bank accounts of members of the royal household and showed them to Earl Spencer, according to Dyson.

He said: “Obviously I regret it, it was wrong. But it had no bearing on anything. It had no bearing on [Diana], it had no bearing on the interview.”

He said he is now concerned the scandal will overshadow the content of what Diana said in the interview.

“She was a pioneering princess. When you think about her expressions of grief in her marriage, when you think about the admission of psychiatric illness – just extraordinary! And her sons have gone on to champion mental health,” he said.

“I don’t understand what the purpose of this is ultimately? OK, maybe you want to destroy me, but outside of this, what’s the point?

“I did something wrong … but for pity’s sake, acknowledge something of the relationship we had and something of what she contributed through that interview.

“One of the saddest things about all of this has been the way the content of what she said has almost been ignored.”

Bashir’s comments come after former BBC director-general Lord Tony Hall quit as chairman of the National Gallery after he was heavily criticised in the Dyson report for his botched inquiry into how the interview was obtained.

His resignation comes after another former BBC executive involved in the 1996 internal investigation, Tim Suter, announced on Friday that he was stepping down from his board role with media watchdog Ofcom.

Earl Spencer is reported to have written to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick asking her to investigate the BBC.

The chairman of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Julian Knight, has called on current director-general Tim Davie to provide a full explanation as to how Bashir came to be re-employed.

Knight said that some people may suspect that the journalist was given the religion job as a way of keeping quiet about what exactly he knew.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the BBC should now consider paying compensation to “whistleblowers” who had had their careers damaged after raising concerns about the way Bashir had operated.

Knight said there was a need for further reform at the BBC, and he called for a strengthening of editorial policy within the corporation.

Davie wrote to BBC staff on Friday saying: “I know that we now have significantly stronger processes and governance in place to ensure that an event like this doesn’t happen again. However we must also learn lessons and keep improving.”

Scotland Yard has already said that it will assess Dyson’s findings to determine whether they contain any “significant new evidence”.

Hall, who in 1996 was director of BBC news and current affairs, led the investigation which exonerated Bashir, even though he had previously admitted lying about the fake documents he used in obtaining the interview.

He was director-general when Bashir was controversially rehired by the BBC as religious affairs correspondent in 2016 and later promoted to religion editor.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 22 comments
Close
22 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Caulfield
    Favourite Joseph Caulfield
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 8:01 AM

    At this stage I think an FBI investigation would be appropriate. To look into the orchestrated fraud of these claims. I’m guessing David Axelrod has been very busy the last few months.

    176
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Herbert
    Favourite Herbert
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @Ossi Fritsche: Please tell me how you managed to bring race into this? Is that all you’ve got?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Otranto
    Favourite Otranto
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:49 AM

    @Larissa Nikolaus:
    Calm down Larry, let’s wait for some evidence before you go on you usual anti Trump rant.

    50
    See 10 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Otranto
    Favourite Otranto
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:49 AM

    @Ossi Fritsche:
    Oh no, Godwin law.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mullin
    Favourite John Mullin
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:58 AM

    @Ossi Fritsche: Don’t you think it ironic that you think it’s ok to believe this woman, who you don’t know, considering the timing of her reporting the alleged incident & defend her to the hilt, yet when Trump does the same for someone he does know and trust you admonish him for it. Btw, am not having a go at you. Also, I think that saying he views her as a piece of meat has no bearing on this incident as his main spokesperson is a woman. If she was accused of sexual misconduct 30years ago by a man, I believe that he would defend her also saying (or tweeting) something unpresidential like “that guy is a dumb looney”. Im no fan of Trump but I believe that its best to show good example ALL the time & not lower ourselves to his level where we have a trial by media…innocent til proven guilty

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kem Trayle
    Favourite Kem Trayle
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 10:09 AM

    @John Mullin: The timing is not because the Democrats went looking for dirt – it’s because he was about to be appointed to the highest court in the U.S. for life and these women felt they had to let the country know who he actually is.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello.
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:02 PM

    @Otranto: if the highly publicised detailed sworn statement release yesterday (which the accuser risks being jailed for if false) of gang rapes at multiple parties of multiple women, isn’t enough evidence to at least merit some sort of investigation, then please tell me what is?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mullin
    Favourite John Mullin
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:03 PM

    @Kem Trayle: but again, that’s your opinion. The timing is designed to disrupt his nomination whether it’s done as a democratic political smear campaign or that these women were genuine and wanted to inform the world about a sordid history the nominee may or not have but the timing is everything. Perhaps if it was reported only to police instead of the media it might have had more support. He may well be a lecherous creep but he also may be a genuine decent family man whose family are been dragged through the mud. I commend real victims for coming forward but tbh I always suspect the motives of anyone who say that they didn’t report a crime to police in a confidential manner for fear of not being believed or some kind of public backlash and then go to the MEDIA instead.. doesn’t make sense

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EillieEs
    Favourite EillieEs
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:06 PM

    @Joseph Caulfield: funny that you view yourself as a Rottweiler, you seem more like a sheep to me

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ryan
    Favourite John Ryan
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:17 PM

    @Joseph Caulfield: Absolutely…do that then…Ford is more than willing to talk to the FBI..

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:34 PM

    @John Mullin: I’m sorry but the timing could just as likely have to do with him being among a number of names suggested for the title of Justice. If the alleged incidents occurred I’d imagine it’s be quite intensely painful the alleged victims to hear his name linked with that title every single day.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mullin
    Favourite John Mullin
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 3:43 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: yea Dave, while I don’t disagree with you at all, I’m also mindful of the notion that it is quite painful for him and his family as it is for the alleged victim(s) whoever is telling the truth. I just hate the idea of mob rule (which I thought was abandoned long ago) is making a comeback. The social outrage against any male alleged by a female to be involved in something sexually underhanded is riding on the back of and undermining the worthy cause enshrined in the #metoo movement. I suppose it’s human nature but it’s akin to when disabled driving bays were first introduced and lauded by all only for non disabled drivers to illegally use them while the disabled driver is back to square one. Kavanagh might be guilty but I always view people as innocent until proven otherwise

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 5:08 PM

    @John Mullin: I never said it wasn’t painful for him and his family. It no doubt is. But innocent until proven guilty has to be applied to both sides. Just because he’s accused doesn’t mean he did it and just because he hasn’t been convicted doesn’t mean she’s lying

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 7:59 AM

    We can comment on this article, but not on the article about bankers outrageous pay!

    125
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steven Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Steven Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 10:11 AM

    @Colette Kearns: absolutely sickening, isn’t it Colette. I say, down with that sort of thing.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Mel Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 8:01 AM

    Is it not weird that we know what she’s going to say before the event altogether?

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Greene
    Favourite Brendan Greene
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 8:20 AM

    @Mel Fitzpatrick: No, it isn’t. The procedure is that they give a written witness statement to the committee first and then are examined on it.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Mel Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:02 AM

    @Brendan Greene: I know that Brendan but it’s still a weird procedure.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 8:07 AM

    Surely delaying the process so the FBI can determine whether there’s a case to answer is just common sense here? This is basically a job interview and it’s a job for life,surely anybody with any integrity would want them to look into it rather than risk confirming a man guilty of some pretty heinous acts?

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vote4Pedro
    Favourite Vote4Pedro
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:23 AM

    @Tom Thumb: thing is kavanaugh has I think gone through 6 extremely thorough fbi checks already in his life as a civil servant.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ryan
    Favourite John Ryan
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 11:18 AM

    @Vote4Pedro: Then one more won’t hurt him will it..

    17
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 11:20 AM

    @Vote4Pedro: Its not really the same mate.There’s specific allegations that will rightly need to be backed up with evidence.The FBI should investigate if the evidence is credible and should be able to determine relatively quickly if there’s a case for him to answer or if it’s just the accusers word against his.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute West Cork Lad
    Favourite West Cork Lad
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:26 PM

    @Vote4Pedro: Were those 6 extremely tough investigations carried out after he was convicted of what he has been accused of….oh wait,these allegations only have arisen in the past few weeks…

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 8:11 AM

    Interesting response from Trump when he was asked last night why he always sides with the accused rather than the accuser when it comes to claims of sexual assault.Bssically said its because he’s been accused of sexual assault numerous times(if that doesn’t show a man with a deep mistrust of women then I don’t know what does). Also said he was very upset with Roy Moore but since he was a Republican he wanted him to win anyway.Sarah HuckaSanders should have fun explaining that one away.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ossi Fritsche
    Favourite Ossi Fritsche
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:12 AM

    @Tom Thumb: Says it all about Republicans, when a GOP supporter which a woman was asked she said she would rather see a paedophile “Roy Moore” in office than a Democrate.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Herbert
    Favourite Herbert
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @Tom Thumb: Innocent until proven guilty my friend

    40
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 11:06 AM

    @Herbert: Couldn’t agree more buddy but that’s different to automatically siding with the accused because of the party they belong to,isn’t it?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Herbert
    Favourite Herbert
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 11:16 AM

    @Tom Thumb: It is, but US politics are toxic. And politics today are all about tribalism on all sides. Many on the left have labelled him as a sexual predator and a monster. This is almost identical to what happened to Clarence Thomas – not sure if you’ve read into it but it’s worthwhile. Andrew Breitbart was a leftist until the Thomas case came to light, and I can guarantee that more people will swing to the right because of this case now

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 11:33 AM

    @Herbert: I can’t really comment on what this will do to anybody’s political affiliations and politics is toxic but I’m commenting on basic human decency.Donald Trump has no idea if Kavanaugh is innocent or not and while he’s perfectly entitled to push ahead with this appointment if nobody can convince him he’s guilty,his rhetoric about how sexual assault victims would and should behave is ignorant,disgusting and as far away from how a decent human being(never mind a president)should speak on these matters. The reaction to women who come forward after rape/sexual assault is a big factor in why so many don’t want to come forward.An intelligent person with empathy could back his nominee without contributing to that problem,sadly he is neither of those things.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ryan
    Favourite John Ryan
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 11:41 AM

    @Herbert: Innocent until proven guilty sure, but if you want to hold this to a criminal court standard then surely you agree that there should be an investigation at least rather than just dismissing the allegations out of hand.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute West Cork Lad
    Favourite West Cork Lad
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:30 PM

    @Herbert: “innocent until proven guilty ” <- so one should wait until he has proven his innocence,yes ? I couldn't agree more with you..

    "more people will swing to the right" <- thanks for the chuckle :0

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 12:36 PM

    @Herbert: but you have to maintain the innocent until proven guilty stance for both sides and therefore an investigation is the only way forward. Kavanaugh has already shown that he is comfortable lying to the committee.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JΛCQUʘRΛПDΛ
    Favourite JΛCQUʘRΛПDΛ
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 10:21 AM

    “I BELIEVED he was going to rape me.”

    They made a movie about this, Christine. It’s called Minority Report.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 11:15 AM

    @JΛCQUʘRΛПDΛ: Unless I’m mistaken the alleged victim is reporting what if true,would be an actual crime and when actual crimes are committed testimony of what the victim felt at the time is a pretty important part of the process because intimidation is part of this alleged crime.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Purcell
    Favourite Tom Purcell
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 1:12 PM

    @Tom Thumb: perhaps, but remember, the testimony is not being given to a court, it is essentially all part of a job interview so there really is no evidencial procedure or bar of acceptance to get over in this situation.

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 5:48 PM

    @Tom Purcell: True but my comment was in response to a silly comment about Minority Report and how the alleged victim felt is still an important part of these proceedings.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oonagh Brett-Francisco
    Favourite Oonagh Brett-Francisco
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 2:46 PM

    Yeah well she has to make her story dramatic, whoever is paying her needs to get their moneys worth!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 2:53 PM

    @Oonagh Brett-Francisco: innocent until proven guilty works both ways.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Byrne
    Favourite Joe Byrne
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 5:36 PM

    This woman is a total head case being manipulated by Democrats weirdos who conveniently overlook Keith Ellison beating up his live in girlfriend

    https://www.twincities.com/2018/09/26/keith-ellison-seeks-house-ethics-investigation-of-abuse-allegation/

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Byrne
    Favourite Joe Byrne
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 5:32 PM

    This woman is a total head case being manipulated by Democrats weirdos who coviently https://www.google.com.au/search?client=safari&hl=en-au&q=conveniently&spell=1&amp;

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Thumb
    Favourite Tom Thumb
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 5:43 PM

    @Joe Byrne: The Republicans can easily put it to bed then by calling the other person she claims was in the room to give his testimony but they won’t do it.Kavanaughs own college room mate contradicts much of Kavanaughs own testimony so far and says the allegations against him from a woman from college sound very believable and in character at the time. This guy ain’t getting confirmed.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Byrne
    Favourite Joe Byrne
    Report
    Sep 27th 2018, 6:22 PM

    @Tom Thumb: She’s a nut job

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds