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/6239897.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Courtroom focus on Diana's death Diana inquest hearing under way
(about 7 hours later)
A preliminary hearing is to be held ahead of a full inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. A preliminary hearing has begun at the High Court ahead of a full inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Metropolitan Police investigation concluded last month that the car crash in Paris in which Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died was a tragic accident. A Metropolitan Police investigation concluded last month that the 1997 car crash in Paris in which Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died was a tragic accident.
The hearing into the deaths of the pair on 31 August 1997 will begin at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Coroner Lady Butler-Sloss is holding the hearing in public after initially deciding it would be held in private.
Coroner Lady Butler-Sloss will hold the hearing in public after initially deciding it would be held in private. She will decide whether there will be a joint inquest for the pair, and if there should be a jury present.
The hearing will decide whether there will be a joint inquest for the pair, and also if there should be a jury present, BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said.
Tunnel crashTunnel crash
Our correspondent said the onus would be on the legal team representing Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed to prove why a jury would be needed. BBC Royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the onus would be on the legal team representing Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed to prove why a jury would be needed.
The princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. The princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on 31 August 1997.
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.
Lady Butler-Sloss must decide if a jury is neededLady Butler-Sloss must decide if a jury is needed
A three-year inquiry, led by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence of a conspiracy to murder the couple.A three-year inquiry, led by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence of 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.
Dodi's father Mohamed Al Fayed, said Lord Stevens' "highly unsatisfactory" report left questions "unanswered".Dodi's father Mohamed Al Fayed, 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.