A shocking revelation has emerged, shedding new light on the iconic Panorama interview with Princess Diana. The truth behind the interview's controversial origins and the BBC's subsequent actions is finally being unraveled.
Thirty years after the broadcast, a book titled 'Dianarama' by Andy Webb delves into the events leading up to Martin Bashir's interview with the late Princess of Wales. This interview, where Diana famously revealed the complexities of her marriage, has sparked fresh interest and controversy.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Diana's Brother's Silence: Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, initially remained silent about Bashir's tactics. Webb's book reveals that Spencer didn't want to question Diana's decision to speak with Bashir, fearing it would paint her in a negative light. However, Spencer finally broke his silence in 2020, expressing his concerns during a Channel 4 documentary. This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the story.
Bashir's Charismatic Deception: Beyond the fake bank statements shown to Earl Spencer, the book highlights a series of outrageous and false claims Bashir made about the Royal Family. Webb describes Bashir as 'pathologically charming and ruthless'. After the interview, Bashir's career path took him to ITV and US broadcasters, and he later returned to the BBC as religion editor. His resignation in 2021, due to ill health, came just before the publication of a scathing report by Lord Dyson.
And this is the part most people miss...
Prince William's Quest for Truth: The book suggests that Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, is actively seeking the truth about Bashir's interview. William has strongly criticized BBC managers, stating they 'looked the other way' instead of asking tough questions. He believes the interview contributed significantly to his mother's fear, paranoia, and isolation before her death. An unnamed source warns that William is an 'implacable antagonist' and has people working to uncover the truth. Kensington Palace has declined to comment on the book.
The Designer's Guilt: Matt Wiessler, the freelance designer who created the forged bank statements, has since received an apology and compensation from the BBC. However, the book reveals the deep guilt he felt after Princess Diana's death. Wiessler joined the mourners at Buckingham Palace, feeling responsible for his role in the events leading up to her death.
Author's Personal Connection: Webb's decision to investigate the Panorama interview was inspired by the play 'Frost/Nixon'. He discovered that the story of deception was already documented in two books. Interestingly, at the time of his investigation, Webb was also looking into the employer of his wife, Diana Martin, who was the deputy editor of Panorama. Martin's father, Christopher, had produced the 1994 ITV documentary where Prince Charles confessed to adultery, a program that likely influenced Diana's decision to speak with Bashir.
This book raises important questions about media ethics, the impact of interviews on public figures, and the role of the BBC in this controversial episode. What are your thoughts on these revelations? Do you think the BBC's actions were justified, or do you believe they should have taken a different approach? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
