UK House of Commons to Hold BBC Hearing on 'Diana Manipulated Interview'

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The British public broadcaster BBC is facing a parliamentary hearing after it was confirmed that forged documents were shown to secure an interview with Princess Diana 26 years ago.

The Telegraph reported on the 23rd, "The House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee will discuss holding a one-time special hearing for testimony from the BBC at its meeting on the 24th."

In November 1995, Princess Diana revealed Prince Charles's infidelity during an interview with then-BBC journalist Martin Bashir, who had coaxed her using forged documents. She said, "It always felt like there were three of us in the marriage," referring to Prince Charles's mistress Camilla Parker Bowles. Princess Diana divorced the following year and died in a car accident in 1997 while trying to evade paparazzi.

This investigation was initiated after Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, Earl Spencer, publicly raised concerns in November last year. The BBC commissioned an independent investigation again by Sir John Dyson, a former Supreme Court judge, who concluded that Bashir showed forged bank statements to Earl Spencer and lied about royal staff receiving money and leaking information about Princess Diana, which enabled the interview.

Although suspicions about the background arose when Bashir secured the interview 25 years ago, no significant issues were found in the BBC's internal investigation at the time. Sir Dyson pointed out that the previous investigation was also problematic.

Following the controversy, Tony Hall, former BBC Director-General who was in charge of BBC News in 1995 and led the internal investigation in 1996, resigned from his position as chairman of the National Gallery two days after the investigation results were released. The House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is considering summoning Lord Hall as a witness.

The committee is also expected to call Richard Sharp, BBC Chairman, and Tim Davie, the current Director-General, as witnesses to hear about measures to prevent recurrence in the future.

Julian Knight, chairman of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee and a member of the Conservative Party, emphasized, "The BBC must promise that the serious flaws revealed by the Dyson report will not be repeated," adding, "The BBC must demonstrate transparency and honesty more than ever."

Home Secretary Priti Patel pointed out that the BBC's reputation has been seriously damaged by this controversy. She stated that if a response is needed after this incident, it will be taken, and did not rule out the possibility of criminal prosecution.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.