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/6221269.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Princess Diana inquest to resume Princess Diana inquest to resume
(about 2 hours later)
The inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi al Fayed is set to resume in 2007 - nearly 10 years after her death. The inquest into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi Al Fayed is set to resume in 2007 - nearly 10 years after their Paris car crash.
A preliminary hearing into the deaths of the two in a car crash in Paris in 1997 will begin at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 8 January. A preliminary hearing into the deaths of the pair on 31 August 1997 will begin at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 8 January.
Coroner Lady Butler-Sloss' first task will be to decide if a jury is needed.Coroner Lady Butler-Sloss' first task will be to decide if a jury is needed.
The hearing follows the Met Police inquiry into the crash which found the crash was "a tragic accident".The hearing follows the Met Police inquiry into the crash which found the crash was "a tragic accident".
The princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in August 1997. The princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.
They were pursued by paparazzi photographers after leaving the Ritz Hotel for Mr Al Fayed's apartment.They were pursued by paparazzi photographers after leaving the Ritz Hotel for Mr Al Fayed's apartment.
Heavy workloadHeavy workload
The three-year inquiry, led by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence there was a conspiracy to murder the couple.The three-year inquiry, led by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence there was a conspiracy to murder the couple.
The inquiry report said chauffeur Henri Paul, who also died, was speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit.The inquiry report said chauffeur Henri Paul, who also died, was speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit.
The police investigation was requested by royal coroner Michael Burgess when the inquests were opened and adjourned in January 2004.The police investigation was requested by royal coroner Michael Burgess when the inquests were opened and adjourned in January 2004.
Mr Burgess subsequently stepped down blaming a heavy workload.Mr Burgess subsequently stepped down blaming a heavy workload.
Princess Diana and Mr Al Fayed died when their car crashed in 1997Princess Diana and Mr Al Fayed died when their car crashed in 1997
Dodi's father Mohamed Al Fayed, who insists the couple were murdered, said Lord Stevens' "highly unsatisfactory" report left questions "unanswered".Dodi's father Mohamed Al Fayed, who insists the couple were murdered, said Lord Stevens' "highly unsatisfactory" report left questions "unanswered".
Earlier this month, Lady Butler-Sloss announced the preliminary hearing would be held in public.Earlier this month, Lady Butler-Sloss announced the preliminary hearing would be held in public.
Mr Al Fayed had mounted a legal challenge for it to be held in public.Mr Al Fayed had mounted a legal challenge for it to be held in public.
UK law states inquests must be held in public but early hearings need not be.UK law states inquests must be held in public but early hearings need not be.
Lady Butler-Sloss was said to have been persuaded to change her mind because of public interest in the case.Lady Butler-Sloss was said to have been persuaded to change her mind because of public interest in the case.
If she decides a jury will be needed it will be made up of members of the Royal Household as the princess was still considered a member of the Royal Family when she died.If she decides a jury will be needed it will be made up of members of the Royal Household as the princess was still considered a member of the Royal Family when she died.
Lady Butler-Sloss will also decide whether the princess and Dodi Al Fayed's inquests - first opened and adjourned in January 2004 - will be held jointly or separately.Lady Butler-Sloss will also decide whether the princess and Dodi Al Fayed's inquests - first opened and adjourned in January 2004 - will be held jointly or separately.