The BBC has paid substantial damages to the former private secretary of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Commander Patrick Jephson worked for Diana at the time of the now infamous 1995 Panorama Special interview.
The hour-long interview attracted an audience of 23 million viewers when it was broadcast on 20th November 1995. In it, the Princess revealed her insecurity in the Royal Family and confirmed that she had had an affair with James Hewitt. She referenced Camilla Parker Bowles, now Duchess of Cornwall, as the third person in her marriage to Prince Charles.
Shortly after the interview concerns were raised about the tactics employed by then-BBC journalist Martin Bashir in securing it. To put not to fine a point on it, Bashir spun Diana a pack of lies in order to secure her participation. One of those lies involved the falsification of a bank statement that appeared to show Commander Jephson conspiring against Diana.
The BBC recently commissioned an independent report into Bashir's conduct. The report, by former Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson, concluded that Bashir had engaged in "deceitful behaviour" in a "very serious breach" of the BBC's producer guidelines.
Speaking of the settlement, Commander Jephson said: "After more than 25 years, it is a relief finally to reach a conclusion to this painful episode.
"I am grateful to Lord Dyson and the journalists whose tenacity has brought the truth to light, and I now look forward to donating the damages I have been awarded to Ty Hafan, the hospice for children in Wales, in memory of the late Diana, Princess of Wales."
A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC and Commander Patrick Jephson have reached a settlement following publication of the Dyson report. Commander Jephson was the private secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales.
"The BBC accepts and acknowledges that serious harm was caused to Commander Jephson as a result of the circumstances in which the 1995 interview with Diana, Princess of Wales was obtained, which have become apparent as a result of the Dyson report.
"The BBC apologises unreservedly to Commander Jephson for the harm caused to him and has paid his legal costs. The BBC has also paid Commander Jephson a substantial sum in damages, which he intends to donate in full to British charities nominated by him."
In his report, Lord Dyson accused the BBC of covering up the sinister tactics employed by Bashir.
Another BBC cover up? Who'd have thought it?!
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