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New Book Reveals Disturbing Details Behind Diana’s Iconic BBC Interview
In 1995, Princess Diana’s revealing interview with Martin Bashir on BBC’s Panorama became a watershed moment in royal history. Now, nearly three decades later, a new book titled “Dianarama: The Betrayal of Princess Diana” by Andy Webb is shedding fresh light on the controversial circumstances surrounding that famous broadcast.
Released this week, Webb’s book examines how Bashir allegedly manipulated Diana into giving the interview where she famously stated there were “three of us” in her marriage to then-Prince Charles, referring to Camilla Parker-Bowles. The most shocking revelation, however, wasn’t what Diana said on camera but how Bashir reportedly secured the interview through deception, including fabricated bank statements suggesting Diana’s inner circle was being paid by British intelligence.
While the Metropolitan Police conducted an assessment of Bashir’s tactics, they ultimately concluded there wasn’t sufficient evidence to pursue a criminal case. This decision left many questions unanswered, questions that Webb’s book now attempts to address.
Among the book’s most alarming claims is that Bashir allegedly fed Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, a series of fabricated stories about the royal family to gain access to the princess. These included false assertions that Prince Edward had AIDS and that Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, had an affair with Charles and aborted his baby—a claim Diana apparently believed so completely that she confronted the nanny at a Christmas lunch.
Webb describes Bashir as “pathologically, compellingly charming” and “ruthless” in his pursuit of Diana. According to the book, Bashir even gave Earl Spencer a recording device, ostensibly to protect him from surveillance, telling him, “You’re in really dangerous waters here, and I’m your friend, Martin. I’m going to make it all OK.”
The book suggests Bashir’s ultimate goal wasn’t necessarily the BBC interview but rather securing a £1.5 million book deal, following the example of Andrew Morton’s successful Diana biography. Webb bases this claim on information from Roland Philipps, a publishing director at Hodder and Stoughton at the time.
Perhaps most disturbing is Webb’s assertion that Diana’s paranoia, fueled by Bashir’s manipulations, may have contributed to her tragic death in 1997. The book quotes the princess’s therapist saying: “I hold Bashir fully responsible for Diana’s death. Not partly responsible. Fully responsible. If it wasn’t for him, she would still be alive.”
This sentiment appears to be shared by Prince William, who, according to sources in the book, considers the Panorama interview an “open wound which will not heal.” Webb claims William believes the interview significantly worsened his parents’ relationship and amplified his mother’s fear and paranoia. The future king is reportedly still “taking steps to discover” the full truth about Bashir’s tactics.
In a poignant detail, Webb reveals that Matt Wiessler, the freelance designer who was asked by Bashir to create the forged bank statements, attended Diana’s funeral out of guilt. “I was standing right by the gate at 4am because I felt very strongly that I did have a hand in it,” Wiessler is quoted as saying. He has since received compensation and an apology from the BBC, which had banned him from working for the corporation in 1996.
Earl Spencer, who introduced Bashir to his sister, remained silent about his concerns for over two decades, fearing that criticism would portray Diana as “gullible.” He finally went public in 2020 when Webb was making a Channel 4 documentary about the interview.
“Dianarama: The Betrayal of Princess Diana” is now available for purchase. Representatives for Martin Bashir have not yet responded to requests for comment on the book’s claims.
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12 Comments
Fascinating new revelations about the circumstances behind Princess Diana’s iconic Panorama interview. It seems the deception and manipulation tactics allegedly used by Bashir were even more disturbing than previously known.
I’m curious to learn more details from this new book. Shedding light on the questionable practices behind this historic interview could provide important context.
The new book’s claims about fabricated bank statements to secure the interview with Diana are quite shocking. If true, it demonstrates a shocking lack of journalistic ethics on Bashir’s part.
I agree, using deceptive tactics to gain access to such a high-profile interview is a major breach of trust. It will be interesting to see if this book can substantiate the allegations.
The Metropolitan Police’s decision not to pursue a criminal case over Bashir’s tactics is quite perplexing. Given the serious allegations, one would expect a more thorough investigation to uncover the full truth.
I agree, the lack of a more rigorous probe raises concerns. Hopefully this new book can help fill in the gaps and provide a clearer picture of what really happened.
While Princess Diana’s candor during the Panorama interview was groundbreaking, it’s unsettling to learn the interview may have been obtained through deception and manipulation. This casts a shadow over that historic moment.
It’s a shame if Bashir’s alleged tactics undermined the integrity and impact of such an important interview. Transparency around the full circumstances is important, even decades later.
The new book’s revelations are certainly eye-opening. If the allegations of deception and manipulation by Bashir are accurate, it undermines the credibility and legacy of the Panorama interview with Princess Diana.
Agreed, the integrity of such an influential interview is called into question by these disturbing claims. Transparency around the circumstances is crucial, even decades later.
While the Panorama interview provided a rare glimpse into Diana’s struggles, the disturbing new allegations around how it was obtained raise serious questions. This could significantly alter the public’s perception of that landmark moment.
It’s disappointing to learn the interview may have been tainted by Bashir’s questionable actions. Uncovering the full truth is important, even if it casts a cloud over a historic television event.