The BBC has been criticised by a judge for withholding a large number of emails relating to Martin Bashir’s 1995 interview with Princess Diana on Panorama. Journalist Andy Webb had requested the documents to investigate what BBC managers knew about the reporter and what they did about it. Mr Bashir resigned from his position at the BBC in 2021 after it was revealed that he had secured the interview through deception and falsified documents.
BBC managers sent each other more than 3,000 emails about Mr Bashir in a two-month period in 2020, which the corporation initially claimed were irrelevant or legally privileged. However, after the court ruling, it was ordered to release more emails as the corporation’s response was deemed “inconsistent, erroneous and unreliable”. Judge Brian Kennedy KC said it was “cause for serious concern” for how the initial request was handled, while the BBC said it is reviewing the judgement. The corporation has apologised to both Webb and the tribunal for any errors it has made.
The interview was watched by over 20 million people and was considered a coup for the BBC at the time. However, questions arose about how Bashir had obtained the interview, and an independent inquiry by Lord Dyson in 2021 found that Mr Bashir had used deception to obtain the interview and then lied to BBC managers. The Dyson report also found that payments were made to a former member of staff of Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, to gain his trust so he would introduce Bashir to her. When confronted, Bashir admitted to mocking up statements but denied showing them to Earl Spencer, and that he only showed them to Diana’s brother after the interview was filmed and edited.
While Mr Bashir regrets having mocked up the documents, he claims they had no bearing on the decision of Diana to be interviewed. However, the Dyson report criticised Bashir for his reprehensible behaviour and cast doubt on his credibility. It is clear that the scandal has done significant damage to the reputation of the BBC
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