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Princess coroner in witness push Princess coroner in witness push
(about 2 hours later)
The coroner in the Princess Diana inquest has vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in his efforts to have the paparazzi who perused her testify.The coroner in the Princess Diana inquest has vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in his efforts to have the paparazzi who perused her testify.
The French government has ruled not to force photographers who pursued Princess Diana to give evidence.The French government has ruled not to force photographers who pursued Princess Diana to give evidence.
Lord Justice Scott Baker contacted UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw over the French decision.Lord Justice Scott Baker contacted UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw over the French decision.
The coroner had formally requested that the crucial witnesses be compelled to attend a video link to the inquest.The coroner had formally requested that the crucial witnesses be compelled to attend a video link to the inquest.
However, the inquest in London was told that officials in France are using a rarely-evoked clause in French guidelines.However, the inquest in London was told that officials in France are using a rarely-evoked clause in French guidelines.
These apply only to foreign requests which "put at stake secrets which if released would damage the essential interests of the country".These apply only to foreign requests which "put at stake secrets which if released would damage the essential interests of the country".
'Ongoing efforts''Ongoing efforts'
"I am most anxious that the paparazzi should give evidence if this can possibly be achieved," the coroner said to the court."I am most anxious that the paparazzi should give evidence if this can possibly be achieved," the coroner said to the court.
"Neither I nor the rest of the inquest team intend to leave any stone unturned in this regard, I can give you no further information at the moment but I assure you that our efforts are ongoing.""Neither I nor the rest of the inquest team intend to leave any stone unturned in this regard, I can give you no further information at the moment but I assure you that our efforts are ongoing."
However, the British coroner has no powers under UK law to force French witnesses to give evidence to the British court.However, the British coroner has no powers under UK law to force French witnesses to give evidence to the British court.
Mr Straw has said he would consider any requests from the coroner.Mr Straw has said he would consider any requests from the coroner.
'Disgust''Disgust'
In a further development, the jury heard a graphic description from a witness who was at the scene around the Princess's car minutes before the crash which killed her.In a further development, the jury heard a graphic description from a witness who was at the scene around the Princess's car minutes before the crash which killed her.
A series of statements from a witness Jean-Louis Bonnin, who has since died, described seeing photographers repeatedly taking pictures at traffic lights in the Place de La Concorde as the couple cowered in the back seat of their Mercedes. A series of statements from a witness, Jean-Louis Bonnin, who has since died, described seeing photographers repeatedly taking pictures at traffic lights in the Place de La Concorde as the couple cowered in the back seat of their Mercedes.
He told police of his "disgust" at seeing photographers taking photos of the wrecked Mercedes in the tunnel after the crash rather than offering help.He told police of his "disgust" at seeing photographers taking photos of the wrecked Mercedes in the tunnel after the crash rather than offering help.
Diana, her companion Dodi Al Fayed, and driver Henri Paul died as a result of the crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on 31 August 1997 after leaving the Ritz Hotel in Paris.Diana, her companion Dodi Al Fayed, and driver Henri Paul died as a result of the crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on 31 August 1997 after leaving the Ritz Hotel in Paris.