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Police 'begged to protect Diana' Police 'begged to protect Diana'
(about 7 hours 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, chief of the Metropolitan Police 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.
She refused to change her mind as she did not trust police, the court heard.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."
Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed died with their driver Henri Paul in a car crash in Paris in 1997.Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed died with their driver Henri Paul in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
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.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.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 Condon 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 CondonFormer Metropolitan Police commissioner
A series of meetings had then taken place, up to January 1994, to try to get her to reconsider, 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 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.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."
'Police spying' 'Falsification'
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. The court also heard claims from a former employee of the Al Fayed family that he had been asked to falsify elements of Diana's relationship with Dodi Al Fayed.
In the meeting with Deputy Assistant Commissioner David Meynell, she suggested police had been spying on her. Reuben Murrell was head of security at Villa Windsor, Mr Al Fayed's Paris home.
Michael Mansfield QC, counsel for Mohamed Al Fayed, said it seemed Diana did not trust the police. Mr Murrell told the inquest he came under pressure from his employer to exaggerate the nature of the couple's relationship in order to support the theory that they had serious plans to marry.
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. On the day of the crash, Mr Murrell said the couple called into the villa for 28 minutes, apparently in an attempt to lose the paparazzi who had been following them.
You are in effect, accusing me of being a murderer Lord Condon to Michael Mansfield QC I could see how the story was being elaborated Reuben MurrellFormer employee of Dodi Al Fayed He said he was later told to falsify two elements of the visit at the specific request of "the boss".
"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." Mr Murrell said: "I was told to mention the presence of an interior designer, and to indicate that he was part of the visit to Villa Windsor, and to indicate that they were there for a considerable period of time, possibly all afternoon."
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. In the months following the crash, Mr Murrell left his job and sold his story and some CCTV pictures of the visit to a newspaper.
Asked why he quit, Mr Murrell said: "I could see how the story - the part I knew of, surrounding the Villa Windsor visit - was being elaborated. Because I hadn't actively supported that falsification, I would be terminated or possibly worse."
"I considered my own integrity at that stage to be in question."
Accusation refuted
In court on Wednesday, 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.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.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."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.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.""It is a disgusting suggestion, that is a blatant lie."