BBC’s deceit over Diana interview damaged my parents’ – William

Daily US Times: The Duke of Cambridge Prince William has blamed BBC failings over its interview with his mother Princess Diana for fuelling her paranoia and worsening his parents’ relationship.

After an inquiry found the British broadcaster fell below its standards, the Duke of Cambridge said he was “most saddened” Diana never learned she had been deceived.

Prince William said his mother was failed “not just by a rogue reporter” but also by BBC bosses.

The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry blamed a toxic media culture for his mother’s death.

In his separate statement, Prince Harry said that the “ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices” ultimately took his mother’s life.

Harry expressed concern such practices “are still widespread today”, adding that it was “bigger than one outlet, one network or one publication”.

In his statement, he said: “Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed. By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life.”

The BBC has written to apologise to Princes William and Prince Harry, as well as Prince Charles and Diana’s brother Earl Spencer.

The independent inquiry – by retired judge Lord Dyson – found that the then BBC reporter Martin Bashir acted in a “deceitful” way and faked documents to obtain his Diana interview.

The BBC’s own internal investigation in 1996 into initial complaints about what happened was “woefully ineffective”, it added.

Prince William said the BBC interview was a “major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse, adding it has “since hurt countless others”.

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