News

#Boris Johnson ‘concerned’ over tactics to land BBC Diana interview

#Boris Johnson ‘concerned’ over tactics to land BBC Diana interview

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday he was “very concerned” about the findings of an official report that found former BBC journalist Martin Bashir used deceitful tactics to land the bombshell 1995 interview with Princess Diana.

“I am obviously concerned by the findings of Lord Dyson’s report,” Johnson told reporters, referring to former senior judge John Dyson, who led an inquiry that found Bashir had used deceit and fake bank statements to secure the sit-down, Reuters reported.

The report also lambasted the BBC over its “woefully ineffective” investigation of Bashir’s actions.

“I can only imagine the feelings of the, the royal family and I hope very much that the BBC will be taking every possible step to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again,” Johnson said.

Martin Bashir interviews Princess Diana for the BBC, in 1995.
Martin Bashir interviews Princess Diana for the BBC in 1995.
Corbis via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden condemned the “damning failings at the heart of the BBC” — and suggested that a review of the broadcaster expected to start next year could now be expanded, the Independent reported.

“We will now reflect on Lord Dyson’s thorough report and consider whether further governance reforms at the BBC are needed in the mid-term charter review,” Dowden said in a tweet.

 “I welcome the fact that the new leadership launched this independent inquiry and expect them to ensure that this can never happen again,” he added.

Princess Diana
Prince William said the deceptive tactics used by the BBC to land an interview with Princess Diana negatively affected her mental health.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Citing Bashir’s use of “false documents” ahead of the interview, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland described the findings in Dyson’s report as “hugely serious.”

“There is a lot of work for the BBC to do in order to make good what happened here,” Buckland told Sky News on Friday.

Scotland Yard has said it will “assess the contents” of the report to ensure there is “no significant new evidence” after police earlier decided against pursuing a criminal probe in the matter.

Martin Bashir
An investigation stated that Martin Bashir “acted inappropriately and in serious breach of the 1993 edition of the Producers’ Guidelines on straight dealing.”
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Dyson concluded that Bashir had faked bank statements designed to suggest Diana was under surveillance to win the trust of her brother, Earl Spencer — and eventually gain access to her, the BBC reported.

The inquiry found that as media interest in the interview increased, the news outlet covered up what it had learned about how the journalist secured the interview.

A 1996 internal investigation had been “woefully ineffective,” Dyson said.

A note written by the princess — published for the first time in the report — said she had no regrets about the interview and Bashir did not show her the forged materials.

Dyson said the BBC should have considered the possibility that the faked documents were shown to Earl Spencer to influence his sister.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is “obviously concerned by the findings of Lord Dyson’s report” on the BBC.
Christopher Furlong – WPA Pool /Getty Images

Prince William said the deception fueled his mother’s paranoia and worsened the relationship between her and his dad, Prince Charles, the BBC reported.
 

If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on Google News too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.

For forums sites go to Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com

If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our News category.

Source

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Close

Please allow ads on our site

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker!