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Clash at Princess Diana hearing Queen call over princess inquest
(about 2 hours later)
The coroner for the inquest into the death of Princess Diana has clashed with the QC representing Mohamed Al Fayed in a preliminary hearing. The Queen should be quizzed over conversations she allegedly had with ex-royal butler Paul Burrell, Mohamed Al Fayed's lawyers have said.
Lady Butler-Sloss and Michael Mansfield argued over "late" documents and where full inquests for Diana and Mr Al Fayed's son, Dodi, should be held. They referred to claims made by Mr Burrell that the Queen had warned him of "powers at work in this country that we have no knowledge about".
The statement was made at a hearing ahead of inquests into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed.
Coroner Lady Butler-Sloss said she would research the relevant protocol.
The princess and Dodi Al Fayed died in a car crash in August 1997 in the Pont D'Alma tunnel in Paris.
Mr Al Fayed alleges the crash was part of a secret plot by the British establishment.
The latest preliminary hearing is being held to decide what documents should be disclosed to the interested parties.
That material now includes 11,000 pages of documents and 400 photographs.
Alleged conversation
BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said lawyers acting for Mohamed Al Fayed were particularly interested in any contact police may have had with members of the Royal Family.
The inquiries which we suggest be made to assist is for Her Majesty being directly approached and asked was there evidence of conversations as alleged by Mr Burrell Michael Mansfield QC
This included notes of a police interview with Prince Charles and any contact with Prince Philip, our correspondent said.
Michael Mansfield QC, for Mohamed Al Fayed, referred to Mr Burrell's claim - made in a collapsed Old Bailey trial for theft against him, - over an alleged conversation with the Queen.
"The inquiries which we suggest be made to assist is for Her Majesty being directly approached and asked was there evidence of conversations as alleged by Mr Burrell," he told Lady Butler-Sloss.
She replied: "In as far as you're saying that Her Majesty should be directly approached, I think that's unheard of."
She would find out what the protocol would be for such a matter, saying that "whatever the protocol may be should be observed".
New coroner
Earlier, Lady Butler-Sloss and Mr Mansfield argued over "late" documents and where full inquests for the princess and Dodi Al Fayed should be held.
Baroness Butler-Sloss will stand down in June
Lady Butler-Sloss, who will stand down as coroner in June, accused Mr Mansfield of putting her "in the dock".Lady Butler-Sloss, who will stand down as coroner in June, accused Mr Mansfield of putting her "in the dock".
The princess and Dodi Al Fayed died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Lord Justice Scott Baker, one of Britain's most experienced judges, will take over as coroner for the inquests, which are expected to take place in October.Lord Justice Scott Baker, one of Britain's most experienced judges, will take over as coroner for the inquests, which are expected to take place in October.
Baroness Butler-Sloss will stand down in June
Lady Butler-Sloss announced last month she would be stepping down because she lacked the experience required to deal with an inquest with a jury.Lady Butler-Sloss announced last month she would be stepping down because she lacked the experience required to deal with an inquest with a jury.
She and Mr Mansfield clashed over news that Lord Justice Scott Baker wants to hear the full inquests in Court 73 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. She and Mr Mansfield also clashed over news that Lord Justice Scott Baker wants to hear the full inquests in Court 73 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Mr Mansfield described the venue as "totally inadequate".Mr Mansfield described the venue as "totally inadequate".
He also denied the accusation that he was trying to dictate to the coroner, saying he was simply "making submissions". Hearings delayed
Plot accusation
In July last year, then royal coroner Michael Burgess quit the inquests, blaming a "heavy and constant" workload.In July last year, then royal coroner Michael Burgess quit the inquests, blaming a "heavy and constant" workload.
Lady Butler-Sloss, formerly president of the High Court Family Division, took on the role in September.Lady Butler-Sloss, formerly president of the High Court Family Division, took on the role in September.
The hearings were originally to take place in May but were put back until October after lawyers for Mohammed Al Fayed requested more time to allow them to prepare.The hearings were originally to take place in May but were put back until October after lawyers for Mohammed Al Fayed requested more time to allow them to prepare.
This came after Harrods department store owner Mr Al Fayed won a High Court ruling that the inquests should be heard before a jury.This came after Harrods department store owner Mr Al Fayed won a High Court ruling that the inquests should be heard before a jury.
Mr Al Fayed alleges the August 1997 Paris road crash which claimed the couple's lives was part of a secret plot by the British establishment.