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Coroner rejects royal Diana jury Coroner rejects royal Diana jury
(about 1 hour later)
Any jury at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana will be drawn from the public, the coroner has said.Any jury at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana will be drawn from the public, the coroner has said.
Lady Butler-Sloss told a preliminary High Court hearing that she wanted the inquest in May and did not want the panel drawn from the Royal Household.Lady Butler-Sloss told a preliminary High Court hearing that she wanted the inquest in May and did not want the panel drawn from the Royal Household.
She reserved her decision on whether there would be a jury or joint inquest.She reserved her decision on whether there would be a jury or joint inquest.
A Metropolitan Police investigation last month concluded the 1997 Paris car crash in which Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died was a tragic accident.A Metropolitan Police investigation last month concluded the 1997 Paris car crash in which Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died was a tragic accident.
Princes' hope
Lady Butler-Sloss said she would hold a joint inquest if shown to have jurisdiction on the matter.Lady Butler-Sloss said she would hold a joint inquest if shown to have jurisdiction on the matter.
She suggested it would be "unbelievably expensive" to hold separate inquests into the deaths.She suggested it would be "unbelievably expensive" to hold separate inquests into the deaths.
March hearing
The court was told at least 40 witnesses are likely to be called. There would be a need for interpreters and video-conferencing facilities.The court was told at least 40 witnesses are likely to be called. There would be a need for interpreters and video-conferencing facilities.
I'd hope to give you my considered written answers by very early next week at the latest Lady Butler-Sloss Packed courtroom for hearing Q&A: Diana inquest
Lady Butler-Sloss, who held the hearing in public after initially deciding it would be held in private, said separate inquests would also be upsetting for the families.Lady Butler-Sloss, who held the hearing in public after initially deciding it would be held in private, said separate inquests would also be upsetting for the families.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Princes William and Harry, said they hoped the inquest would "move swiftly to a conclusion".Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Princes William and Harry, said they hoped the inquest would "move swiftly to a conclusion".
Reserving her decision, Lady Butler-Sloss said: "I'd hope to give you my considered written answers by very early next week at the latest."Reserving her decision, Lady Butler-Sloss said: "I'd hope to give you my considered written answers by very early next week at the latest."
"Because I am anxious to get going with this I would like to hold the next part of this at the beginning of March.""Because I am anxious to get going with this I would like to hold the next part of this at the beginning of March."
'Avoid bias''Avoid bias'
As the proceedings got under way, Lady Butler-Sloss offered her "deepest sympathy" to the relatives and friends of the princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42.As the proceedings got under way, Lady Butler-Sloss offered her "deepest sympathy" to the relatives and friends of the princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42.
The Princess of Wales's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Princes William and Harry, were present for the start of the two-day hearing. The Princess of Wales's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed - who is being represented by Michael Mansfield QC - were in court.
As soon as I receive the coroner's report, I expect to make arrangements for hearing the inquests Lady Butler-Sloss href="/1/hi/uk/6241459.stm" class="">Packed courtroom for hearing href="/1/hi/uk/6241281.stm" class="">Q&A: Diana inquest Princess Diana and Mr Al Fayed died when their car crashed in 1997
Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed, who is being represented by Michael Mansfield QC, was in court.
Lawyers for driver Henri Paul, who also died, and sole survivor, bodyguard Trevor Rees, were also present.Lawyers for driver Henri Paul, who also died, and sole survivor, bodyguard Trevor Rees, were also present.
In a written submission, the Queen's lawyer, Sir John Nutting QC, said a public jury would avoid an "appearance of bias".In a written submission, the Queen's lawyer, Sir John Nutting QC, said a public jury would avoid an "appearance of bias".
BBC Royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the onus at the hearing would be on the legal team representing Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed to prove why a jury would be needed. Lady Butler-Sloss said she would be "extremely surprised" if Princes William and Harry would have to give evidence.
Royal letter She said she expected to make arrangements for hearing the inquests as soon as she received a police report on extensive investigations into the crash in both the UK and France.
Lady Butler-Sloss read out a section of a letter from Major Lowther-Pinkerton on the princes' behalf. Jury call
"It is their desire that the inquest should not only be open, fair and transparent but that it should move swiftly to a conclusion," she said.
She said she would be "extremely surprised" if Princes William and Harry would have to give evidence.
Princess Diana and Mr Al Fayed died when their car crashed in 1997
Lady Butler-Sloss said there had been a delay in the inquest proceedings following extensive investigations into the crash in both the UK and France.
"The police were asked to provide a separate report to assist the coroner," she said.
"As soon as I receive the coroner's report, I expect to make arrangements for hearing the inquests."
The princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on 31 August 1997.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.
A three-year inquiry, led by former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence of a conspiracy to murder the couple.A three-year inquiry, led by former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence of a conspiracy to murder the couple.
Jury call
Mr Mansfield criticised the timing of the report, saying it had given the impression that the Diana case was now closed.Mr Mansfield criticised the timing of the report, saying it had given the impression that the Diana case was now closed.
Mohamed Al Fayed wants a jury to hear the inquest
Edmund Lawson, for the Met, responded: "The Commissioner stands by the decision to publish the report. It was not a decision taken lightly."Edmund Lawson, for the Met, responded: "The Commissioner stands by the decision to publish the report. It was not a decision taken lightly."
Richard Keen QC, counsel for the parents of Mr Paul, suggested Lady Butler-Sloss may be associated with the conclusions of the report.Richard Keen QC, counsel for the parents of Mr Paul, suggested Lady Butler-Sloss may be associated with the conclusions of the report.
However, Lady Butler-Sloss, who had agreed to the publication of the report, said: "I don't know whether its conclusions are right or not. I haven't heard the inquest."However, Lady Butler-Sloss, who had agreed to the publication of the report, said: "I don't know whether its conclusions are right or not. I haven't heard the inquest."
Mr Keen said he did not propose that she should stand down, but that the case should be heard by a jury of ordinary members of the public to avoid any suggestion of bias.Mr Keen said he did not propose that she should stand down, but that the case should be heard by a jury of ordinary members of the public to avoid any suggestion of bias.
Lady Butler-Sloss said she had "not even begun" to think about the scope of the inquest, but added: "There is much in what Lord Stevens' report says which is capable of challenge." Ian Croxford QC, representing the Ritz Hotel, also called for a jury to be brought in.
Ian Croxford QC, representing the Ritz Hotel, said an appearance of bias attached to the coroner could be removed by the imposition of a jury. Legal challenge
"This case is the best example one can presently think of - given the nine, nearly 10 years of intense media interest - when a jury should be brought in," he said.
Police probe
The inquiry report said Mr Paul was speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit.The inquiry report said Mr Paul 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.
Mohamed Al Fayed wants a jury to hear the inquest
Mr Burgess subsequently stepped down blaming a heavy workload.
Mohamed Al Fayed said Lord Stevens' "highly unsatisfactory" report left questions "unanswered".Mohamed Al Fayed said Lord Stevens' "highly unsatisfactory" report left questions "unanswered".
He mounted a legal challenge for the preliminary hearing into the inquest to be held in public.He mounted a legal challenge for the preliminary hearing into the inquest to be held in public.
UK law states inquests must be held in public but early hearings need not be.
Speaking before the hearing began, a spokesman for Mohamed Al Fayed said: "He is hoping for openness and transparency and the appointment of a jury of ordinary people so that all the facts can be put before the British people."