BBC pays out damages to whistleblower ‘smeared’ after Bashir’s Diana interview

THE BBC has agreed to pay “significant” damages to the former Panorama journalist who first raised concerns about Martin Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana more than 25 years ago.

Mark Killick was sacked from the programme and then smeared by the BBC after complaining about Bashir’s methods in securing the 1995 interview.

The Daily Telegraph understands that Mr Killick has received £50,000 in compensation for “defamatory statements” made about him.

Mr Killick knew the interview was illicitly obtained and first alerted the BBC to the existence of forged bank statements used to entice the Princess of Wales. After blowing the whistle, Mr Killick said he was sacked from the programme due to “disloyalty” and then smeared by the broadcaster.

A report by Lord Dyson, the former Master of the Rolls, concluded that Bashir used “deceitful behaviour” to win over Diana’s trust. In a statement, the BBC said yesterday: “Following publication of the Dyson Report last year, the BBC and former BBC Panorama senior reporter and producer Mark Killick today announce that a settlement has been reached between them.

“The BBC apologises unreservedly for defamatory statements made of Mr Killick in 1996 in internal BBC documents during the corporation’s investigations into events surrounding the interview with Diana, Princess of Wales. Mr Killick acted entirely properly in referring his concerns about Martin Bashir’s interview with Diana to senior management. The BBC has agreed to pay Mr Killick a significant sum in damages and costs, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Mr Killick, who is now creative director at Media Zoo, said the apology was a “positive step forward” but he fears the damage to the BBC’S reputation “may never recover”.

He said: “The BBC’S attempt to try and destroy my reputation rather than investigate my concerns shows just how desperate the BBC was to hide what had happened.

“It was an extraordinary attempt to cover up wrongdoing and the climate of fear it created may well have stopped other BBC whistleblowers from speaking out for a generation.

“I still find it staggering that the BBC was so determined to conceal the truth that it launched a smear campaign against me to protect its tainted scoop.

“I am grateful to Tim Davie [the director general] and his team for finally setting the record straight.”

Lord Dyson was appointed to look into the circumstances surrounding the 1995 interview.

The investigation was launched after Earl Spencer alleged that Bashir showed him fake financial documents. The graphic artist who was employed by Bashir to fake the documents and was subsequently blacklisted by the corporation has already settled his claim for damages, receiving compensation of about £500,000.

Patrick Jephson, Princess Diana’s former private secretary, was awarded an estimated £100,000 for “serious harm” over slurs spread about him by Bashir.

The inquiry found that the BBC covered up “deceitful behaviour” to secure the world exclusive interview with Diana, and “fell short of high standards of integrity and transparency”.

The 1995 interview was watched by 23million people in the UK and won Bashir a Bafta in 1996.

After the Dyson report Bashir apologised, adding that it was “a stupid thing do to do” but he will “always remain immensely proud of that interview”.