This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7193777.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Police 'begged to protect Diana' Police 'begged to protect Diana'
(41 minutes later)
Diana, Princess of Wales, would still be alive if she had retained her police protection, a former chief policeman has told the inquest into her death.Diana, Princess of Wales, would still be alive if she had retained her police protection, a former chief policeman has told the inquest into her death.
Lord Condon, Britain's chief police officer when she died, said he had begged her to reinstate her protection. Lord Condon, chief of the Metropolitan Police when she died, said he had begged her to reinstate her protection.
But despite numerous meetings she had refused to change her mind. She refused to change her mind as she did not trust police, the court heard.
He said: "If, as my wish, she would've had police protection in Paris, I'm absolutely convinced those three lives would not have been tragically lost."He said: "If, as my wish, she would've had police protection in Paris, I'm absolutely convinced those three lives would not have been tragically lost."
"Her problem with protection was, sadly, that she did not have police protection. I wish she had," he added Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed died with their driver Henri Paul in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
The princess had first indicated she wanted to have her protection removed, in December 1993, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner said. Lord Condon emphatically denied suggestions from Michael Mansfield, QC counsel for Dodi's father Mohamed Al Fayed, that he had been involved in a conspiracy to murder her.
The princess had first indicated she wanted to have her protection removed in December 1993, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner said.
I have often thought back, if that had not been the sequence of events I might have demanded face-to-face meetings with her Lord CondonI have often thought back, if that had not been the sequence of events I might have demanded face-to-face meetings with her Lord Condon
A series of meetings had then taken place, up to January 1994, the court heard. A series of meetings had then taken place, up to January 1994, to try to get her to reconsider, the court heard.
Lord Condon added he had attended a "critical" meeting on 14 December 1993, in which he had said he was "really concerned" the security was going to be removed. Lord Condon said he had attended a "critical" meeting on 14 December 1993, in which he had said he was "really concerned" the security was going to be removed.
The peer was himself involved in a serious accident the following day and then remained unavailable for about three and a half to four weeks. The peer was himself involved in a serious accident the following day, and then remained unavailable for about three-and-a-half to four weeks.
He said: "I have often thought back, if that had not been the sequence of events I might have demanded face-to-face meetings with her. But I honestly don't think it would have changed her mind."He said: "I have often thought back, if that had not been the sequence of events I might have demanded face-to-face meetings with her. But I honestly don't think it would have changed her mind."
In October 1994, the princess asked the Met's head of royalty and diplomatic protection whether there was a device in her car or her phone calls were being monitored. 'Police spying'
The court heard on Wednesday that in October 1994, the princess had asked the Met's head of royalty and diplomatic protection whether there was a device in her car, or whether her phone calls were being monitored.
In the meeting with Deputy Assistant Commissioner David Meynell, she suggested police had been spying on her.In the meeting with Deputy Assistant Commissioner David Meynell, she suggested police had been spying on her.
Michael Mansfield, QC counsel for Mohamed Al Fayed, said it seemed Diana did not trust the police. Michael Mansfield QC, counsel for Mohamed Al Fayed, said it seemed Diana did not trust the police.
Lord Condon said: "Clearly she had decided in her own mind, sadly, that the police, if they were on anyone's side, were not on her side.Lord Condon said: "Clearly she had decided in her own mind, sadly, that the police, if they were on anyone's side, were not on her side.
You are in effect, accusing me of being a murderer Lord Condon to Michael Mansfield QC
"That was wrong, but I think it was a view that I think I would have found it very hard to change her mind about.""That was wrong, but I think it was a view that I think I would have found it very hard to change her mind about."
Princess Diana died after the car she was in crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris in 1997. Mr Mansfield questioned Lord Condon about a note he had seen from Diana to her lawyer Lord Mishcon, in which she revealed fears she would be killed in a car crash.
He asked why Lord Condon had not disclosed the note earlier.
Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker intervened and twice asked Mr Mansfield if he was suggesting Lord Condon was part of a criminal conspiracy.
To this Mr Mansfield replied: "Yes I am."
Lord Condon said: "That is the most serious allegation that has been put to me. I unequivocally, totally refute that. You are in effect, accusing me of being a murderer.
"It is a disgusting suggestion, that is a blatant lie."