Princes William And Harry Livid At BBC, Martin Bashir Over Diana's 1995 Panorama Interview

Prince Harry slammed the BBC Panorama interview of their mother with Martin Bashir in 1995 calling it “unethical”. Prince William was also furious over the said interview with Bashir, saying the British journalist made “lurid and false claims” about Princess Diana.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry issued strong statements in response to the findings of an independent investigation that discovered Bashir had used “deceitful behavior” to secure what has been known as the most explosive interview with their mother.

According to the Associated Press, the investigation was launched last November by the BBC Board and is led by Lord Dyson. Reports from the inquiry were revealed on Thursday where heavy criticism was directed at the BBC for its failure to address concerns that were raised soon after the interview was aired, and for covering up what it knew about Bashir’s unethical actions.

Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer made renewed complaints about the interview citing how Bashir used false documents as well as other dishonest tactics to lure Diana to do the interview.

The report said Bashir breached BBC rules by using fake bank statements which he showed to Spencer at the time for him to gain access to the princess. The false bank statements were related to Diana’s former private secretary and another former royal household member to suggest they were being paid to keep her under surveillance.

Spencer accused Bashir of making up stories about the Royal Family to enforce Diana’s belief there was a conspiracy within the palace against her.

The BBC’s chairman, Richard Sharp, has written to the royal family to apologize citing that the corporation accepts “there were unacceptable failures.”

Bashir stepped down and left the corporation last week for health reasons stating that he had been seriously unwell while dealing with Covid-19 related complications. In his statement, Bashir expressed his deep regrets for faking the bank documents saying it was a “stupid thing to do.” However, he maintained that these laid no bearing on the Princess’ decision to do the interview.

John Birt, who was the director-general of the BBC when the interview aired said, “This is a shocking blot on the BBC’s enduring commitment to honest journalism; and it is a matter of the greatest regret that it has taken 25 years for the full truth to emerge.”

The Duke of Cambridge said the interview hastened his parent’s divorce and sowed paranoia and isolation during his mother’s final years. "She was failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions.”

The Duke of Sussex also blamed the interview saying his mother “lost her life because of this.” "The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life."

Despite the rumored growing rift between William and Harry, their statements both echoed shared sadness upon learning the truth behind the deceit their mother had lived through during her last years. Knowing things could have been different had she known she was exploited by unethical media practices, the Duke of Cambridge had this to say to the shamed BBC: "It is my firm view that this Panorama programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again."