The personal assistant to Princess Diana
In a stunning reversal, BBC News has publicly apologized to the personal secretary to Princess Diana for deliberately creating a false narrative in order to secure and on-camera interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.
Diana's assistant, Patrick Jephson, was a loyal and trusted PA and the BBC convinced Diana that her secretary was working against her as a sort of spy.
Diana's assistant, Patrick Jephson, was a loyal and trusted PA and the BBC convinced Diana that her secretary was working against her as a sort of spy.
VIDEO: Princess Diana's assistant receives settlement
Charles Spencer, the younger brother of Princess Diana, also commented on the BBC apology. Although the BBC apologized "unreservedly" to assistant Patrick Jephson, the harm cannot be reversed. Ultimately, the BBC's report caused irreversible damage to Princess Diana's assistant, and he ultimately had to resign shortly after the interview aired.
Today, for the third time, a ‘paper has been forced by the Law to apologise for lying about me “depriving Diana of a home”. The guilty journalist this time? Janice Turner - aka @VictoriaPeckham of @thetimes
— Charles Spencer (@cspencer1508) July 29, 2021
Yellow journalism. pic.twitter.com/YUuxPz9QUB
ABOVE: Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, comments on Diana's fallout with her personal secretary.
What did Princess Diana's family say about her assistant and the BBC?
In an unexpected video statement, the son of Princess Diana -- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge -- said that he was grateful that the investigation brought closure to such and unfortunate series of events. Prince William expressed sadness that the BBC's rogue reporting and false statements dramatically increased Princess Diana's stress. William didn't mention Diana's assistant by name, but generally referred to the entire event as a great misfortune.
A statement on today’s report of The Dyson Investigation pic.twitter.com/uS62CNwiI8
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 20, 2021
Updated 2023