Princess didn’t deserve BBC’s Bashir betrayal

We now know that Martin Bashir was behind the fabrication of documents used to help secure the bombshell Panorama interview with Diana in 1995 – and it was always going to be a potentially explosive combination: an opportunistic and ambitious young journalist and an emotionally vulnerable Princess who was being increasingly ostracised by the Royal Family and the Establishment.

It seems that Mr Bashir, while presenting himself as an empathetic and supportive ear, was setting in motion a chain of events that would change the face of the Royal Family for ever.

Diana did not deserve to be betrayed by someone she clearly trusted. It also sheds a poor light on the BBC.

Diane Silva, Bournemouth

This behaviour is typical of the BBC. Either they’re protecting Mr Bashir, despite everything he has been accused of doing, or they are just plain incompetent. Or possibly both.

Daniel Butcher, London

Mr Bashir coerced Michael Jackson into trusting him for that fated interview, as well as manipulating Diana into talking to him, when they were at their most vulnerable. He should be accountable for his actions and punished accordingly.

O. Jay, London

Your picture of Mr Bashir out collecting a takeaway indicates he is now fully recovered from the Covid-19-related complications he was reported to be suffering from. So it’s time for us to get the truth.

Martin Bywater, Liverpool

I can recall feeling very uncomfortable watching that Diana interview at the time – something didn’t sit right about it all. It was like she was following a script rather than answering straight questions. Lord Hall, the former BBC director general, needs to explain this officially – in a court of law. It appears a huge cover-up occurred, and a graphic artist was used as the sacrificial lamb.

B. Ross, Swansea

Mr Bashir changed the course of history and inflicted untold misery on the lives of two boys and their families. He should be prosecuted, and left in isolation to think about the wretchedness of what he did. Tormenting a young woman already struggling with her husband’s infidelity is no badge of honour. He should be stripped of any future role in the BBC.

E. Parker, London

I liked his interviews and have respect for him, but there are serious questions here and they must be answered.

Doug Gilbert, Hampshire

Who cares? She has been dead for 23 years and he is a reporter – it’s part of his job to get interviews.

L. Hampton, London

Mr Bashir should stand down or the BBC should strip him of his role in religious broadcasting and give the post to someone who can give it the proper gravitas, especially in these times of lockdown.

Alex Armstrong, Broadstairs