Martin Bashir Releases Statement Amid Findings He Used Deceitful Methods For Princess Diana Panorama Interview

Martin Bashir has responded to the report that he used “deceitful methods” to secure a controversial 1995 BBC “Panorama” interview with Princess Diana to get her to reveal information about the royal family.

If you’re unfamiliar with the interview, in Martin‘s discussion with the late royal, she had revealed the inner workings of royal life and her relationships with other members of the Royal Family, including her husband at the time, Prince Charles. The interview also famously had the Princess confirming that their marriage was the “three of us” in her marriage to Charles, referencing Camila Parker-Bowles.

It’s been reported that Martin had mislead Diana into believing that Charles impregnated their children’s nanny and William was spying on her for Charles.

Martin had also mocked up bank statements of tabloid payments which were shown to Diana‘s brother, Earl Spencer. Those statements were used to gain the family’s trust and convince her to do the interview.

Click inside for his statement…

He told the Evening Standard, “This is the second time that I have willingly fully co-operated with an investigation into events more than 25 years ago. I apologized then, and I do so again now, over the fact that I asked for bank statements to be mocked up. It was a stupid thing to do and was an action I deeply regret. But I absolutely stand by the evidence I gave a quarter of a century ago, and again more recently. I also reiterate that the bank statements had no bearing whatsoever on the personal choice by Princess Diana to take part in the interview. Evidence handed to the inquiry in her own handwriting (and published alongside the report today) unequivocally confirms this, and other compelling evidence presented to Lord Dyson reinforces it. In fact, despite his other findings, Lord Dyson himself in any event accepts that the princess would probably have agreed to be interviewed without what he describes as my ‘intervention’. It is saddening that this single issue has been allowed to overshadow the princess’ brave decision to tell her story, to courageously talk through the difficulties she faced, and, to help address the silence and stigma that surrounded mental health issues all those years ago. She led the way in addressing so many of these issues and that’s why I will always remain immensely proud of that interview.”