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'No paparazzi' at Diana's inquest 'No paparazzi' at Diana's inquest
(20 minutes later)
French authorities have refused to force the paparazzi who pursued Princess Diana to give evidence at her inquest, the coroner has confirmed.French authorities have refused to force the paparazzi who pursued Princess Diana to give evidence at her inquest, the coroner has confirmed.
Mr Justice Scott Baker said he was "disappointed" after previously vowing to leave "no stone unturned" in his bid to have the photographers appear. Lord Justice Scott Baker said he was "disappointed" after previously vowing to leave "no stone unturned" in his bid to have the photographers appear.
Most withdrew their cooperation after motorbike driver Stephane Darmon was cross-examined at the London hearing. Most withdrew their co-operation after motorbike driver Stephane Darmon was cross-examined at the London hearing.
He drove French photographer Romuald Rat on the night the princess died.He drove French photographer Romuald Rat on the night the princess died.
Earlier, Mr Justice Scott Baker accused the French of making a "political" decision not to force the paparazzi to give evidence. Earlier, Lord Justice Scott Baker accused the French of making a "political" decision not to force the paparazzi to give evidence.
And Michael Mansfield QC, for Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the 1997 crash, called on Justice Secretary Jack Straw to intervene.And Michael Mansfield QC, for Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the 1997 crash, called on Justice Secretary Jack Straw to intervene.
It had previously been expected that French law would force the paparazzi to attend a Paris video link with the High Court in London.It had previously been expected that French law would force the paparazzi to attend a Paris video link with the High Court in London.
'Public order''Public order'
Several paparazzi had been scheduled to give evidence, but the jury was given two days off after they refused to attend.Several paparazzi had been scheduled to give evidence, but the jury was given two days off after they refused to attend.
I have been assured that the French authorities remain committed to their policy of co-operation and transparency Mr Justice Scott Baker I have been assured that the French authorities remain committed to their policy of co-operation and transparency Lord Justice Scott Baker
In a statement to the court, Mr Justice Scott Baker said he understood there were two reasons for the French authorities' decision. In a statement to the court, Lord Justice Scott Baker said he understood there were two reasons for the French authorities' decision.
The first, he said, was that they said they had already given evidence to the French inquiry into Diana's death and had nothing further to say.The first, he said, was that they said they had already given evidence to the French inquiry into Diana's death and had nothing further to say.
The second, he said, was based on the French legal concept of "ordre public" - "public order".The second, he said, was based on the French legal concept of "ordre public" - "public order".
Mr Justice Scott Baker said the French had argued that "if force were used to compel witnesses to appear, this could damage relations between the media, the government and the general public". Lord Justice Scott Baker said the French had argued that "if force were used to compel witnesses to appear, this could damage relations between the media, the government and the general public".
He said he understood and respected the decision, but was disappointed not to hear oral evidence from the paparazzi.He said he understood and respected the decision, but was disappointed not to hear oral evidence from the paparazzi.
And he added: "I have been assured that the French authorities remain committed to their policy of co-operation and transparency."And he added: "I have been assured that the French authorities remain committed to their policy of co-operation and transparency."
The coroner also repeated his earlier warnings to barristers in the case about "aggressive" cross-examination of witnesses.The coroner also repeated his earlier warnings to barristers in the case about "aggressive" cross-examination of witnesses.
He emphasised that proceedings were "inquisitorial and not adversarial", and added: "There are no sides in the sense of competing parties and no-one is on trial - the sole object is to ascertain the facts."He emphasised that proceedings were "inquisitorial and not adversarial", and added: "There are no sides in the sense of competing parties and no-one is on trial - the sole object is to ascertain the facts."
The court has access to statements made by the paparazzi in the past, but has yet to rule on whether they can be admitted.
Counsel for several of the parties object on the grounds that there would be no opportunity for cross-examination, as there would with a witness appearing in person.