‘Forensic' report will tell the truth of Diana scandal

THE INDEPENDENT report into how Martin Bashir secured a world exclusive interview with Princess Diana in 1995 will finally “get to the truth”, a former Panorama journalist has said.

- David Stephenson

Tom Mangold, who worked for the show when the interview was secured, said he has faith in the “forensic” Lord Dyson inquiry, ordered by the BBC into allegations forged bank statements were used to obtain it.

It is believed the results of the inquiry could be made public this week, while Panorama is conducting its own investigation.

Like Lord Dyson, the BBC’s “Panorama on Panorama” is also looking at how Bashir clinched the interview that everyone wanted.

The Beeb has yet to confirm its scheduling, although it is understood that original plans for it to be screened before Lord Dyson’s findings were revealed have now been dropped.

Asked if he thought Lord Dyson would get to the truth of the case, Mr Mangold replied: “Yes, I do.

“I’m a witness in the Dyson inquiry and I found him highly intelligent, very forensic in what he was doing, and asked all the right questions. I believe Dyson will get to the truth.

“If the BBC forges documents to obtain an interview with anybody, it’s a very serious matter. So I don’t think you can ignore what happened.”

Mr Mangold was on the staff of the BBC team when Bashir unexpectedly landed the world exclusive interview, in which the Princess revealed “there are three people in this marriage”.