William Fury: BBC Lies Ruined Mum's Life

Prince’s ‘indescribable sadness’ at deceit and cover-up over interview that caused Diana’s paranoia

- Cyril Dixon and Liz Perkins

Prince William last night condemned BBC lies that ruined his mother’s life.

He spoke of his “indescribable sadness” that documents faked by Panorama’s Martin Bashir persuaded Diana to reveal her marriage strife.

The furious Prince accused BBC chiefs of a “cover-up” over the shamed newsman’s “lurid and false claims about the Royal Family”.

William, 38, demanded the 1995 programme is never shown again and said the BBC’s failings “not only let my mother down, and my family down; they let the public down too”.

Lurid and false claims fuelled Diana's paranoia

He claimed that the broadcaster’s “deceit” contributed to Princess Diana’s fear, paranoia and isolation in her final years. She died in a car crash two years after the interview aired.

Prince Harry echoed his brother’s condemnation of the BBC last night, saying: “The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.”

William said if BBC bosses had investigated properly the complaints that were raised after Bashir’s bombshell chat his mother would have been aware she had been “deceived”.

Scandal

His attack came shortly after former judge Lord Dyson published the results of his investigation into the scandal.

Prince William said: “The deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said. The interview was a major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse.