The BBC paid Diana, the private secretary of the Princess of Wales, Patrick Jephson, a “substantial sum” of damages and apologized profusely for the “damage caused to him” over Martin Bashir’s panoramic interview.
Lord Dyson, a former master of roles and head of civil justice, was appointed to look into the circumstances surrounding the explosive 1995 interview that made Diana famous and said, “Well, there were three of us in this Marriage, so it was a bit full. “
The investigation was launched after Earl Spencer alleged that Bashir had shown him forged financial documents concerning his sister’s former private secretary and another former royal household member and told unusual and untrue stories about the royal family for access to the princess. to get.
The documents incorrectly suggested that people be paid to keep the princess under surveillance.
After more than 25 years, it’s a relief to finally come to a conclusion of this painful episode
Patrick Jephson
In a statement, the BBC said: “The BBC accepts and acknowledges that serious harm was caused to Commander Jephson as a result of the circumstances in which the 1995 interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, was obtained, which became apparent as a result. of the Dyson report.
“The BBC apologizes to Commander Jephson for the damage he caused and has paid his legal costs.
“The BBC has also paid Commander Jephson a substantial sum of damages which he intends to donate to British charities nominated by him.”
Mr Jephson told the PA news agency that he was donating the money to Ty Hafan, a children’s hospice for which he helped organize Diana’s patronage in 1995 – the year of the Bashir interview.
He said: “After more than 25 years, it’s a relief to finally come to an end to this painful episode.
The Princess of Wales with her Private Secretary, Patrick Jephson, at a Tennis Match in Hong Kong (Martin Keene / PA)
(PA Archive)
“I am grateful to Lord Dyson and to the journalists whose toughness has brought the truth to light and I now look forward to donating the damage I do to Ty Hafan, the Hospice for Children in Wales, in memory of who were later awarded Diana, Princess of Wales. “
The Dyson investigation found that the BBC had covered up “misleading behavior” used by Bashir to secure his exclusive interview with Diana for securing the world’s hit, and “did not fall to high standards of integrity and transparency” “.
The journalist was in “serious breach” of BBC producer guidelines when he falsified bank statements and showed them to Earl Spencer to gain access to the princess in 1995, Lord Dyson reported.
In a tweet, Diana’s brother Earl Spencer said: “The right result – terrifying what Patrick Jephson has to go through as a result of grotesque ‘journalism’.
“Also awful that it’s been covered by seniors on @BBCNews for so long – it’s going to be more about all this before long.”
The 1995 interview was watched by 23 million people in the UK and won Bashir and Bafta in 1996.
After Lord Dyson’s report was published, Bashir apologized, adding that it was “a stupid thing to do” but he will “always remain extremely proud of this interview”.
Ireland-born Jephson is now a historical adviser on the award-winning Netflix series The Crown.
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