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Tests 'prove' Diana driver drunk | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
DNA evidence appears to prove the driver of Princess Diana's car was drunk on the night of her fatal 1997 accident, a BBC documentary reveals. | DNA evidence appears to prove the driver of Princess Diana's car was drunk on the night of her fatal 1997 accident, a BBC documentary reveals. |
The test indicates original post-mortem blood samples, which showed Henri Paul was three times over the French drink-drive limit, were accurate. | The test indicates original post-mortem blood samples, which showed Henri Paul was three times over the French drink-drive limit, were accurate. |
The programme, How Diana Died: The Conspiracy Files, reports that the French authorities used the DNA tests. | The programme, How Diana Died: The Conspiracy Files, reports that the French authorities used the DNA tests. |
Conspiracy theorists have claimed that Mr Paul's blood samples were swapped. | Conspiracy theorists have claimed that Mr Paul's blood samples were swapped. |
Some suggest this was done to portray him as drunk in an elaborate cover-up of a secret service plot to murder Princess Diana. | Some suggest this was done to portray him as drunk in an elaborate cover-up of a secret service plot to murder Princess Diana. |
But using DNA testing would show that the driver's blood samples could not have been switched. | But using DNA testing would show that the driver's blood samples could not have been switched. |
The new evidence has come to light on the eve of the publication of Lord Stevens' report into Princess Diana's death. | The new evidence has come to light on the eve of the publication of Lord Stevens' report into Princess Diana's death. |
The DNA tests were carried out in France within the last year, according to a source close to the French authorities. | The DNA tests were carried out in France within the last year, according to a source close to the French authorities. |
We would like to think that if she had been wearing a seatbelt, we'd been able to save her Professor Andre Lienhart Public doubts over accident Send us your comments | We would like to think that if she had been wearing a seatbelt, we'd been able to save her Professor Andre Lienhart Public doubts over accident Send us your comments |
A DNA profile was taken from Mr Paul's blood samples and compared with his parents' DNA. They matched. | A DNA profile was taken from Mr Paul's blood samples and compared with his parents' DNA. They matched. |
Lord Stevens' inquiry team has pledged to investigate the many conspiracy theories that surround the deaths of Princess Diana, her companion Dodi Al Fayed and Paul, the driver of the Mercedes, in August 1997. | Lord Stevens' inquiry team has pledged to investigate the many conspiracy theories that surround the deaths of Princess Diana, her companion Dodi Al Fayed and Paul, the driver of the Mercedes, in August 1997. |
The Alma Tunnel crash investigation was the biggest in French history and was carried out by the country's top police force, the Criminal Brigade. After two years it concluded Princess Diana's death was a tragic accident. | The Alma Tunnel crash investigation was the biggest in French history and was carried out by the country's top police force, the Criminal Brigade. After two years it concluded Princess Diana's death was a tragic accident. |
The driver of Diana's car was held to blame for the crash, and found to be drunk and driving at excessive speed. | The driver of Diana's car was held to blame for the crash, and found to be drunk and driving at excessive speed. |
However, conspiracy theories have gripped the public imagination as a result of doubts raised about the French crash investigation. | However, conspiracy theories have gripped the public imagination as a result of doubts raised about the French crash investigation. |
Sceptics of the official account question why a crucial witness, the driver of a second car involved in the crash, has never been identified; and how it took nearly two hours to get Princess Diana to a hospital just four miles away. | Sceptics of the official account question why a crucial witness, the driver of a second car involved in the crash, has never been identified; and how it took nearly two hours to get Princess Diana to a hospital just four miles away. |
'Unanswered questions' | 'Unanswered questions' |
Royal biographer Nicholas Davies tells the programme "The more we are left with so many unanswered questions, the more we are left saying there is only one answer to this, that she was taken out." | Royal biographer Nicholas Davies tells the programme "The more we are left with so many unanswered questions, the more we are left saying there is only one answer to this, that she was taken out." |
Former royal correspondent Noel Botham claims the Princess sensed danger: "Diana was fearful of her own death for the last few year of her life, right up to the moment of the accident she believed somebody was out there to get her and she was right." | Former royal correspondent Noel Botham claims the Princess sensed danger: "Diana was fearful of her own death for the last few year of her life, right up to the moment of the accident she believed somebody was out there to get her and she was right." |
Mohamed Al Fayed maintains his son Dodi and Princess Diana told him on the night they died of their plans to get married, and also that Princess Diana told him she was pregnant. | Mohamed Al Fayed maintains his son Dodi and Princess Diana told him on the night they died of their plans to get married, and also that Princess Diana told him she was pregnant. |
This CCTV image is one of the last ever taken of the princess | This CCTV image is one of the last ever taken of the princess |
Mohamed Al Fayed believes this provided the motive for the British Establishment to organise a secret service plot to murder Princess Diana. | Mohamed Al Fayed believes this provided the motive for the British Establishment to organise a secret service plot to murder Princess Diana. |
Her close friend Rosa Monckton was on holiday with her three weeks before she died. | Her close friend Rosa Monckton was on holiday with her three weeks before she died. |
Ms Monckton maintains that the ring Dodi had bought for Diana was not an engagement ring. | Ms Monckton maintains that the ring Dodi had bought for Diana was not an engagement ring. |
"I know there is a ring, he's told me there's a ring and she said it's going very firmly Rosa on my right hand. So no, she wasn't contemplating marriage with him." | "I know there is a ring, he's told me there's a ring and she said it's going very firmly Rosa on my right hand. So no, she wasn't contemplating marriage with him." |
Ten days before she died, Princess Diana visited a London clinic for treatment of pre-menstrual tension. | Ten days before she died, Princess Diana visited a London clinic for treatment of pre-menstrual tension. |
Checks carried out by her consultant, Dr Lily Hua, confirmed that Diana was not pregnant. Ms Monckton also tells the programme she knows that "there's no way she could have been pregnant". | Checks carried out by her consultant, Dr Lily Hua, confirmed that Diana was not pregnant. Ms Monckton also tells the programme she knows that "there's no way she could have been pregnant". |
Diana 'not pregnant' | Diana 'not pregnant' |
Professor Andre Lienhart reviewed the emergency services response for the French investigation. | Professor Andre Lienhart reviewed the emergency services response for the French investigation. |
In his first interview he tells The Conspiracy Files he had seen copies of the post-mortem examination carried out on Princess Diana in England 24 hours after the crash. | In his first interview he tells The Conspiracy Files he had seen copies of the post-mortem examination carried out on Princess Diana in England 24 hours after the crash. |
"The autopsy" he says, "showed that she was not pregnant." | "The autopsy" he says, "showed that she was not pregnant." |
"I don't think it's possible to stop rumours - what is clear from all the medical staff and paramedics working that night, is that they wanted to save the person in front of them. That is absolutely indisputable." | "I don't think it's possible to stop rumours - what is clear from all the medical staff and paramedics working that night, is that they wanted to save the person in front of them. That is absolutely indisputable." |
And Professor Lienhart adds there is one crucial fact people need to know: "What is certain is that she was not wearing a seatbelt and this made things worse. | And Professor Lienhart adds there is one crucial fact people need to know: "What is certain is that she was not wearing a seatbelt and this made things worse. |
"We would like to think that if she had been wearing a seatbelt, we'd been able to save her." | "We would like to think that if she had been wearing a seatbelt, we'd been able to save her." |
The investigation into the crash took two years to complete | The investigation into the crash took two years to complete |
This week Lord Stevens will make his judgement on the events of that night. It is widely expected that he will conclude the crash was an accident. | This week Lord Stevens will make his judgement on the events of that night. It is widely expected that he will conclude the crash was an accident. |
The available evidence suggests the driver of the Mercedes Henri Paul was drunk at the wheel, with a potent mix of alcohol and drugs in his system, and driving too fast for the road. | The available evidence suggests the driver of the Mercedes Henri Paul was drunk at the wheel, with a potent mix of alcohol and drugs in his system, and driving too fast for the road. |
The Metropolitan Police inquiry is likely to support the French Police view that the chasing paparazzi were an important influence on the speed of the Mercedes. | The Metropolitan Police inquiry is likely to support the French Police view that the chasing paparazzi were an important influence on the speed of the Mercedes. |
Martine Monteil, the head of the French Judicial Police who investigated the crash, tells The Conspiracy Files: | Martine Monteil, the head of the French Judicial Police who investigated the crash, tells The Conspiracy Files: |
"There was a horde of photographers who were following the couple and they were very close to the Mercedes when the accident happened. | "There was a horde of photographers who were following the couple and they were very close to the Mercedes when the accident happened. |
"Obviously this causes annoyance and stress. But it is not the only explanation. The driver also lost control of the car, that's obvious." | "Obviously this causes annoyance and stress. But it is not the only explanation. The driver also lost control of the car, that's obvious." |
How Diana Died: The Conspiracy Files will be broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday 10 December at 9pm. | How Diana Died: The Conspiracy Files will be broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday 10 December at 9pm. |