Witnesses falling like ninepins at Diana inquest
With the Diana Inquest reaching a gripping conclusion and the imminent presence of Mohamed al Fayed expected on the stand, a dizzying array of witnesses are falling like ninepins.
Fayed’s head of security, John Macnamara, has admitted he lied over Henri Paul’s drinking on the night. He now confesses that he had two Ricards in the hotel and possibly much more when he went off duty for three hours.
Michael Cole, former Royal Correspondent of the BBC, now with Al Fayed, was completely tripped up by Lord Justice Scott Baker, the Coroner, when his testimony didn’t match what he had said in the days after the crash.
Lord Stevens, author of the British police report on the crash, has demanded an apology from the Al Fayed team for accusing him of “not doing his job”, and for having been “got at” by sinister forces.
A former spy, Richard Tomlinson, said the death was similar to one cooked up at MI6 for the former Communist leader of Serbia. Tomlinson later revealed that God had told him he was the “second coming of Jesus”.
No wonder the Coroner is getting increasingly irritated by the quality of testimony at the inquest.
Both bodyguards on the night have questioned the Fayed version of events, and Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, was found to have made claims over evidence that were not true.
It seems Burrell has now been forced to shut down his website following his humiliating appearance at the inquest. He attracted so much “hate mail” that he decided to batten down the hatches.
A friend is reported as saying, “So many people have sent messages to the site criticising Paul that he’s had to take it down. It’s shocked him.”
Burrell admitted to copying Diana’s personal correspondence to preserve it for its “historical importance”. He subsequently used extracts for his best-selling books about life with the Princess.
With friends like these, no wonder Diana was all at sea in the last few months of her life.
Enough of the monkeys, we now await the organ grinder with barely suppressed anticipation.
I thought I had been following events pretty closely on the Diana inquest but I must have missed the worst on Burrel. Can you give some details as to what did him in so badly?
By Claudia on February 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
The true colors of Paul Burrell was shown at the inquest and I think that needed to come out. Also the true colors of Mr. Al Fayed is coming out. Mr. Al Fayed has something against the Monarchy and I think everybody should know that.
By Claudius on February 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
“Michael Cole, former Private Secretary to the Queen”
???????????
By Janet on February 15th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
That raised my eyebrows, also, Janet. John, what is the story on Michael Cole? When did he serve as Private Secretary to the Queen and for how long and in what capacity was he employed by Mr. Al Fayed?
By Gigi on February 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I just checked the inquest transcripts.
Michael Cole started working for Fayed in 1988. Prior to that he spent 27 years as a journalist, starting with newspapers, news agencies, then Anglia Television and then for 20 years and three months a journalist working for BBC television.
(Never private secretary to the Queen)
By Janet on February 15th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Oh, good. Thank you, Janet. I feel much better!
By Gigi on February 16th, 2008 at 12:22 am
My memory must be playing me false, but from 1985 to 1987 he was the BBC’s Royal Correspondent. My mistake.
By John on February 16th, 2008 at 9:42 am
That is pretty interesting, too, John. In what capacity was Cole working for Mr. Al Fayed?
By Gigi on February 17th, 2008 at 4:22 am
He was his press secretary from 1988, Gigi. From being a familiar face in major Royal stories to speaking for Mohamed al Fayed is a big jump, one that’s done him no favours in light of the disputes of the past 10 years.
By John on February 17th, 2008 at 10:55 am
The Telegraph is reporting that Peter Phillips will renounce his place in the line of succession when he marries Autumn Kelly. Autumn will have a Catholic priest present at the ceremony to ensure that their marriage will be recognized in the Roman Catholic Church.
By Evelyn on February 17th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Thanks for that information, Evelyn. I doubt that Peter Phillips felt a strong ambivalence to renunciation, since the birth of Prince Edward’s son moves Peter even further down the line of succession that he was heretofore. It appears as if both Peter and Autumn are compromising appropriately to respect those things important to each other. They will wed in the Chapel in Windsor that is dear to the Royal Family, a priest will be present so that the wedding will be recognized by the Catholic Church for Autumn’s sake, and all will be well with the wedding! I am very pleased.
By Gigi on February 17th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
John – do you allow linking here?
If so, full transcript of Tomlinson questioning is available here:
TRANSCRIPT
By Kit on February 17th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Peter’s ability to compromise bodes well for his relationship and speaks volume about his upbringing and maturity level. William could learn a thing or two from Peter.
By Amity on February 18th, 2008 at 3:37 am
I think it is important to remember that Peter, who has no title, preforms no Royal duties, has no Civil List income, and is so far down the List of Succession that it is highly doubtful that he would ever wear the Crown, has a far greater ability to be flexible in the choices he makes in his life than Prince William, who is a Prince of the Blood Royal, will be Prince of Wales and then King in the fullness of time, has a life and schedule that is decided for him by others and whose domicile, income and free time are controlled. to a great extent, by senior members of the Royal family and their coutiers. that said, I agree that Peter Phillips is very mature and beautifully brought up. I also feel Prince William has those same qualities, however. Peter does not have to live his life in a fishbowl with spotlights glaring in his eyes as Prince William does.
By Gigi on February 18th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Yes, Kit, but if it’s a long link, could you make it a text link, as it sometimes breaks the sidebar?
By John on February 18th, 2008 at 9:21 am