World News – GB – BBC accused of pre-judging Martin Bashir’s investigation

In a legal letter, the company informs the « victim » of the journalist’s falsified bank statements that it does not believe that it is legally liable

The BBC has been accused of pre-judging its own investigation into Martin Bashir, stating that the reporter’s « deeply deplorable » conduct in forging bank statements was not « criminal ». .

In a legal letter seen by the Telegraph, the company told the « victim » of Mr Bashir’s joke that it did not believe it was legally liable.

Attorneys for Alan Waller, Head of Security for Earl Spencer, wrote to the BBC accusing Mr. Bashir of a « conspiracy to create a fraud tool ». . The fake statements were used by Mr Bashir to win Earl Spencer’s trust, which helped him secure Princess Diana’s only television interview.

In the interview that aired in 1995, the princess claimed there were « three of us in this marriage so it was a bit crowded ». .

The BBC has now hired Lord Dyson, former Master of the Rolls and the country’s second most powerful judge, to conduct an independent investigation into how Mr Bashir received the interview, including « the mocked bank statements that purport to be » Show payments to a former Earl Spencer employee « .

In its response to Mr Waller’s complaint, lawyers for the BBC’s Legal Department appeared to be pre-judging the outcome of Lord Dyson’s review.

The BBC letter to Mr. Waller’s attorneys states: « Although the BBC is currently unable to provide a full answer to your client, we just want to state that while we understand Mr. Bashir’s actions Consider the ridicule The documents are deeply deplorable. We do not believe that they result in any criminal fault. « 

The letter acknowledges that the Dyson review is just beginning and alleges « that it would be wrong for the BBC to pre-judge Lord Dyson’s results and, accordingly, the BBC cannot or appropriate to give a substantive answer.  » . . . while this investigation is in progress « .

But its conclusion that there is no such thing as « criminal fault » will arouse annoyance that the company appeared to have made its own determinations before the investigation was properly opened.

Mr Waller, 57, has offered to testify to Lord Dyson and is alleged to be concerned that the BBC appears to already know the outcome or has assessed itself before the investigation is closed.

Mr Waller has told The Telegraph that he was « the case guy » for Mr Bashir’s scam whose identity was « effectively stolen » to help the BBC get its shovel.

He said it was a mystery how Mr Bashir could have known certain details about his corporate bank account that enabled him to mock statements showing payments from News International and an offshore company to Mr Waller.

Mr Bashir used the testimony to falsely claim that Mr Waller was being paid to work for a tabloid and inferred that he also received money from the secret services to keep an eye on Princess Diana and her brother. Mr Waller said if Earl Spencer had shown him Mr Bashir’s bank statements, he would have told him they were fabricated.

Mr Bashir, 57, got sick after contracting Covid-19 and then quadruple bypass and has not spoken publicly about why he falsified bank statements.

In an earlier 1996 investigation that was only recently published, Lord Hall, former BBC news chief, wrote a memo to his Board of Governors noting that Earl Spencer produced the bank statements that Mr. Bashir had created the fakes. Earl Spencer is said to be « angry » at the proposal and is considering legal action against the BBC.

On Monday, Lord Hall, who later became the BBC General Manager, confirmed that he would be taking part in the Dyson investigation. He briefly commented on ITV News when asked if his investigation, which he conducted as director of BBC News and Current Affairs, was « appropriate ». .

He said, « I will be taking part in the BBC investigation and I have nothing to say until this investigation, until I speak to this investigation and until that investigation finds out what it is. That’s the right way to get things done and that’s what I will do. « 

Earl Spencer, in correspondence with the BBC, has alleged that Lord Hall’s investigation was « whitewash » and alleged that the company covered up the actions of Mr Bashir, who was reinstated by the BBC in 2016 and subsequently appointed religious affairs editor was promoted.

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Diana, Princess of Wales, Martin Bashir, Panorama, Charles Spencer, BBC