The BBC apologized to Princess Diana private secretary for the deceiver tactics he used to secure an explosive interview with the late royal nearly three decades ago, announcing on Thursday that he had paid Patrick Jephson a “substantial” sum.
The United Kingdom national the broadcaster said it recognized ‘serious harm’ was caused to Jephson by circumstances in whose 1995 interview, conducted by BBC journalist Martin Bashir, was obtained.
“The BBC apologizes unreservedly to Commander Jephson for the evil caused him and paid his expenses justice “, did he declare. in A declaration. “The BBC has also paid Commander Jephson a substantial sum in damages, which he intends to donate in full to British charities named by him.
The 1995 interview, in whose breakdown Diana discussed of his relationship with Prince Charles – famously saying “There were three of us in this marriage” in reference to Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles – has been watched by 23 millions people people in Britain and sent shockwaves through the monarchy.
A report last year by a retiree senior judge found Bashir used “deceptive behaviorto get the interview, including showing Diana brother false bank statements falsely suggesting members of Diana’s inner circle was paid to spy on son. Judge John Dyson said the BBC covered up Bashir’s misconduct for 25 years.
Jephson said that “after more 25 years old, it is a relief to finally come to an end to this painful episode.
He said he would donate son establishment at a children’s hospice in Diana’s memory.
Diana divorced Charles in 1996 and died in a bet car crash in 1997 while being chased by paparazzi. Charles, the heir to the throne, married Camilla, now Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005.
that of Diana’s brotherCharles Spencer, tweeted that it was “appalling what Patrick Jephson had to go through as a result of “grotesque” journalism” and said the issue had been “covered up for so long by senior peopleto the BBC.
