New book exposes BBC’s handling of Diana interview scandal
Andy Webb’s new book, which scrutinizes Princess Diana’s 1995 Panorama interview, casts a harsh light not only on the already discredited interviewer Martin Bashir but equally on the BBC itself, reports BritPanorama.
Webb, a former BBC journalist, claims the corporation’s obfuscations have persisted for three decades, drawing parallels between this event and the phone-hacking scandal that led to significant repercussions for other media entities.
This narrative involves not just proven forgeries but also allegations of systemic cover-ups and missing documents. Webb and his sources suggest a “direct line” exists between the events surrounding the interview in 1995 and Diana’s subsequent death in 1997, exacerbated by Bashir’s tactics that reportedly left Diana isolated from potential protectors.
Webb argues that the “real story” is the BBC’s failure to address and mitigate the harm done to Diana when opportunities arose to do so.
The timing of Webb’s publication, Dianarama: The Betrayal of Princess Diana, aligns closely with Tim Davie’s resignation as BBC director-general under accusations of “serious and systemic” bias related to various issues including coverage of Donald Trump and trans rights.
The book poses a further challenge to the already fragile reputation of the BBC, critically assessing its leadership and decisions concerning coverage of significant events, compounded by Webb’s collaboration with Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer.
In the original 1995 Panorama interview, viewed by 200 million globally, Diana disclosed personal struggles and made notable statements, including the iconic line about the crowded nature of her marriage to Prince Charles.
Following that interview, Bashir enjoyed a lucrative career, including accolades like a Bafta, until allegations surfaced in 2020 regarding his deceptive methods to secure the interview, particularly involving forged documents shown to Diana’s brother.
In response to these revelations, the BBC conducted a limited investigation led by Lord Dyson, which ultimately criticized Bashir as “devious and dishonest.” However, Webb considers this inquiry insufficient, arguing it narrowly focused on Bashir’s actions without addressing broader accountability within the BBC.
Webb highlights statements from Prince William, who indicated that the BBC’s leadership ignored evidence of wrongdoing, further igniting Webb’s resolve to investigate and secure documents through the Freedom of Information Act.
The book provides an extensive examination of Bashir’s manipulative tactics, including disinformation designed to isolate Diana and foster distrust towards her support network.
Webb’s findings reveal a pattern of negligence within the BBC, dating back to the initial internal investigation in 1996, which Webb asserts clearly acknowledged Bashir’s deceit without taking disciplinary action against him or those who enabled his conduct.
Additionally, the book illustrates how the BBC overlooked concerns raised by Spencer in 2005 during a retrospective on the Panorama interview, leaving questions about its ethical practices unaddressed.
Webb reveals a series of internal BBC communications that suggest a longstanding culture of defensiveness and denial regarding its handling of the scandal, compounded by a 2020 failure to disclose relevant documentation amidst a renewed inquiry into Bashir’s conduct.
While it remains uncertain whether these cover-ups directly contributed to Diana’s tragic death, Webb presents credible arguments for accountability within the BBC’s ranks. The failure to address forgery allegations and misleading practices raises pressing questions about journalistic integrity at the institution.
Despite attempts at reflection by BBC executives, the past actions continue to cast a shadow over the organisation, leaving the impression that the truth remains overshadowed by a culture of silence and complicity.
Webb’s book emphasizes that this ongoing inquiry is crucial not just for understanding past events but for rebuilding public trust in one of the UK’s most prominent institutions.
