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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Twin Diana inquests 'expensive' | Twin Diana inquests 'expensive' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A coroner has suggested it would be "unbelievably expensive" to hold separate inquests into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed. | A coroner has suggested it would be "unbelievably expensive" to hold separate inquests into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed. |
| Lady Butler-Sloss told a preliminary hearing at the High Court she would hold a joint inquest if shown to have jurisdiction on the matter. | Lady Butler-Sloss told a preliminary hearing at the High Court she would hold a joint inquest if shown to have jurisdiction on the matter. |
| She is also due to hear arguments on whether there should be a jury present. | She is also due to hear arguments on whether there should be a jury present. |
| A police investigation concluded the 1997 Paris car crash in which the couple died was a tragic accident. | A police investigation concluded the 1997 Paris car crash in which the couple died was a tragic accident. |
| Lady Butler-Sloss, who is holding 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 is holding the hearing in public after initially deciding it would be held in private, said separate inquests would also be upsetting for the families. |
| 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 Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Princes William and Harry, were present for the start of the two-day hearing. |
| Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed, who is being represented by Michael Mansfield QC, was also in court. | Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed, who is being represented by Michael Mansfield QC, was also in court. |
| Lady Butler-Sloss read out a section of a letter from Major Lowther-Pinkerton on the princes' behalf. | Lady Butler-Sloss read out a section of a letter from Major Lowther-Pinkerton on the princes' behalf. |
| "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. | "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. |
| Tunnel crash | Tunnel crash |
| 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. | |
| Lady Butler-Sloss must decide if a jury is needed | Lady Butler-Sloss must decide if a jury is needed |
| "The police were asked to provide a separate report to assist the coroner," she said. | "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." | "As soon as I receive the coroner's report, I expect to make arrangements for hearing the inquests." |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| Mohamed Al Fayed wants a jury to hear the inquest | Mohamed Al Fayed wants a jury to hear the inquest |
| Mr Burgess subsequently stepped down blaming a heavy workload. | 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. | 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. |
| 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." | 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." |