This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7268892.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
GCHQ 'did not tap Diana's phone' GCHQ 'did not tap Diana's phone'
(about 1 hour later)
Princess Diana's phone was not bugged and permission was not sought to do so, the ex-head of the UK electronic intelligence agency GCHQ has said.Princess Diana's phone was not bugged and permission was not sought to do so, the ex-head of the UK electronic intelligence agency GCHQ has said.
Sir John Adye told her inquest that GCHQ had not been involved in producing the "Squidgygate" and "Camillagate" tapes of conversations between royals.Sir John Adye told her inquest that GCHQ had not been involved in producing the "Squidgygate" and "Camillagate" tapes of conversations between royals.
He said that a warrant signed by the foreign secretary would have been required in order to bug royal phones.He said that a warrant signed by the foreign secretary would have been required in order to bug royal phones.
He also said it was not within the scope of GCHQ to bug the royal family. He also said it was not within the scope of GCHQ to bug the Royal Family.
Unprecedented move 'Unprecedented' move
Ian Burnett, counsel for the coroner, asked Sir John if it was GCHQ's function to intercept members of the royal family to gain intelligence for the government. Ian Burnett, counsel for the coroner, asked Sir John if it was GCHQ's function to intercept members of the Royal Family to gain intelligence for the government.
"Indeed it was not," replied Sir John, who was the director of the agency from 1989 to 1996."Indeed it was not," replied Sir John, who was the director of the agency from 1989 to 1996.
In an "unprecedented" move, given the nature of the service's operations, a statement by GCHQ "denied any involvement". In an "unprecedented" move, given the nature of the service's operations, a statement by GCHQ denied any involvement.
The court was told that ministers had been briefed so they could "truthfully" tell Parliament that "none of the security and intelligence agencies had been intercepting the communications of the Royal Family".The court was told that ministers had been briefed so they could "truthfully" tell Parliament that "none of the security and intelligence agencies had been intercepting the communications of the Royal Family".
Squidgygate tape
Sir John told the inquest he was "satisfied" that GCHQ had not been responsible for the taping of a conversation between Diana and former lover James Gilbey, or another between the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles.
In the tape of Diana and James Gilbey, he referred to her as "Squidgy" and repeatedly told her he loved her. The recording came to light in the early 1990s.
John Major, then prime minister, said in written statement at the time: "There is no substance in the rumours about the involvement of the security and intelligence agencies intercepting the communications of the Royal Family".