Bashir Leaves BBC Under a Cloud

Martin Bashir has left the BBC "on health grounds".

Entirely by coincidence, an investigation is taking place into allegations of his misconduct in securing the 1995 Panorama Special interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.

Former Master of the Rolls, Lord Dyson is heading up the investigation, which will focus on the methods Bashir employed to "persuade" the Princess to speak publicly about strife in the Royal Family.

The investigation isn't going to be cheap, with the TV licence payer picking up the hefty tab for every BBC witness's legal expenses.

To put not to fine a point on it, Earl Spencer, the Princess's brother, is of the opinion that Bashir spun her a yarn in order to secure her participation in the famous interview.

In particular, it has been alleged that Bashir preyed on the Princess's fragile state of mind, by making "wild allegations" that:

The Princess's bodyguard was conspiring against her;

MI6 had recorded a telephone call between Prince Charles and his private secretary plotting "the end game";

Prince Charles was "in love" with nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke and the couple went on secret holidays together;

The Queen was "a comfort eater" who had "heart problems".

Allegations have also surfaced that Bashir ordered the fabrication of bank statements, which were subsequently used to gain the trust of the Spencer family, thereby paving the way towards the bombshell interview.

A BBC investigation into the hooky documents at the time cleared Bashir of any wrongdoing, which is a clear illustration of the Corporation's moral compass when it comes to sourcing news stories.

There is a good chance Lord Dyson's findings will be very uncomplimentary of Bashir's journalistic methods and integrity, which has no doubt spurred his decision to get out now.

As chance would have it, the maverick journalist has been on long-term sick leave, which has provided the ideal cover for him to slink back under his rock before the investigation findings are published. Slink back under his rock with his gold-plated BBC pension and lifelong free subscription to Gardener's World Magazine that is.

Jonathan Munro, the BBC's Head of Newsgathering, told staff: "Martin Bashir has stepped down from his position as the BBC's Religion Editor and is leaving the Corporation. He let us know of his decision last month, just before being readmitted to hospital for another surgical procedure on his heart.

"Although he underwent major surgery toward the end of last year, he is facing some ongoing issues and has decided to focus on his health."

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