Martin Bashir compares X Factor to Diana interview

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Scotland Yard chiefs said it was “not appropriate” to launch a criminal inquiry into the BBC religion chief’s conduct in the run up to the 1995 programme. Mr Bashir, 58, has admitted commissioning fake documents when he was persuading Diana to speak publicly about her unhappy marriage to Prince Charles. Alan Waller, former head of security to her brother Earl Spencer, made a formal complaint to the Met about the broadcaster’s “unlawful activity”.

But yesterday, Yard Commander Alex Murray said officers had “carefully assessed” the evidence and taken advice from their own lawyers and the Crown Prosecution Service.

He added: “We have determined that it is not appropriate to begin a criminal investigation into these allegations. No further action will be taken.

“Should any significant new evidence come to light we will assess it.”

Diana famously acknowledged Charles’ affair with his now-wife Camilla, by telling Bashir: “There were three of us in this marriage”.

The 34-year-old royal also admitted infidelity herself, with Army captain James Hewitt, and questioned her husband’s suitability to be king. 

One of the fake documents said to have been used to secure the scoop suggested Mr Waller had been paid to spy on the Princess.

Mr Bashir, now BBC religion editor but on sick leave, admitted to a 1996 internal inquiry that he had documents mocked up.

He also said they had been shown to Earl Spencer but claimed they had not helped him gain access to his sister.

Corporation chiefs have appointed Lord Dyson, former Master of the Rolls and head of civil justice, to lead a new independent inquiry.

Prince William has backed the new probe, calling it a “step in the right direction” that “should help establish the truth”.

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