Boris Johnson 'very concerned' over damning report into BBC's 1995 Diana interview

21 May 2021, 13:26 | Updated: 21 May 2021, 14:56

Boris Johnson 'concerned' about report into BBC Diana interview

Boris Johnson has called on the BBC to ensure the events surrounding the 1995 Martin Bashir interview with the Princess of Wales cannot happen again.

Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to Portsmouth, the Prime Minister said: "I'm obviously concerned by the findings of Lord Dyson's report - I'm very grateful to him for what he has done.

"I can only imagine the feelings of the royal family and I hope very much that the BBC will be taking every possible step to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

Journalist Martin Bashir was found to have used "deceitful behaviour" to secure access to Diana in 1995.

James O'Brien reacts to Martin Bashir's past conduct

Scotland Yard today said it will "assess" the contents of the bombshell report on the BBC's 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana "to ensure there is no significant new evidence".

The Met said in a statement that officers had determined in March that "it was not appropriate to begin a criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful activity in connection with a documentary broadcast in 1995, but should any significant new evidence emerge it would be assessed".

It added: "Following the publication of Lord Dyson's report we will assess its contents to ensure there is no significant new evidence."

The BBC has issued a "full and unconditional" apology for what it described as "unacceptable failures" in how Bashir secured the interview.

Prince William says the programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again.