Martin Bashir has blamed professional jealousy, class prejudice, and racism for the controversy surrounding his 1995 interview with Princess Diana, according to newly released emails from the BBC. The documents, published under a freedom of information request, show Bashir claiming that his background as a non-white, working-class immigrant played a role in the scandal.
In an email dated 20 July 2020, Bashir told BBC historian Robert Seatter that the forged documents he used to secure the interview were irrelevant, and that the backlash stemmed from resentment within the corporation. He wrote: 'It played no part in the interview but did allow professional jealousy, particularly within the corporation, to hang its hat on alleged wrongdoing.' He added that it would have been easier if a 'dynastic' journalist like a Dimbleby had conducted the interview.
The emails were released after a legal battle by investigative journalist Andy Webb, who claims BBC managers tried to cover up Bashir's actions in 2020. A 2021 inquiry by Lord Dyson found that Bashir had deceived Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer to gain access, using fake bank statements. The BBC has denied any cover-up, stating it provided all relevant documents to the inquiry.
Webb criticised the heavy redactions in the released emails, saying: 'What might lie under these thousands of redactions is anyone's guess.' The BBC defended the redactions as consistent with the Freedom of Information Act and reiterated that it had acted in good faith.
