BBC reputation “highly damaged” after judge releases findings on 1995 Princess Diana interview

The UK’s Home Secretary, Pritti Patel says the BBC’s reputation has been “highly damaged” due to damning findings coming out of an investigation into Princess Diana’s interview.

Patel says it has been “utterly heartbreaking” to hear Prince William and Harry speak in “very personal terms” about the 1995 BBC interview with Diana.

She says the interview compromised the network’s reputation.

Report finds BBC commissioned fake documents to secure interview

This comes as retired judge Lord Dyson released the report that found journalist Martin Bashir to be unreliable and dishonest.

The report concludes that Bashir seriously breached the broadcaster’s rules by commissioning fake documents to organise the interview with Diana.

The BBC is nearing its mid-term review. The home secretary says this will be “a very significant and serious moment” and “lessons will have to be learned”.

Prince William slams BBC over Diana interview

This follows Prince William and his brother Harry slammed the BBC, with the brothers calling for its flagship current affairs program to be axed.

The interview, conducted by Martin Bashir, aired intimate details of Diana’s divorce from Prince Charles and her affair with James Hewitt.