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Ex-royal protection boss 'lied' Ex-royal protection boss 'lied'
(about 1 hour later)
A former head of royal protection lied over how seriously he took claims that Princess Diana was being bugged, the jury at her inquest has been told.A former head of royal protection lied over how seriously he took claims that Princess Diana was being bugged, the jury at her inquest has been told.
Michael Mansfield QC said David Meynell steered clear of a full inquiry into the Squidgygate tapes' publication over fears secret services were involved.Michael Mansfield QC said David Meynell steered clear of a full inquiry into the Squidgygate tapes' publication over fears secret services were involved.
Mr Meynell, a retired Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner, dismissed the accusation as ridiculous.Mr Meynell, a retired Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner, dismissed the accusation as ridiculous.
On the tape, James Gilbey repeatedly told Diana, or "Squidgy", he loved her.On the tape, James Gilbey repeatedly told Diana, or "Squidgy", he loved her.
The recordings of Diana and her former lover were made in December 1989, and became public knowledge in 1992.The recordings of Diana and her former lover were made in December 1989, and became public knowledge in 1992.
'No record''No record'
Mr Meynell told the High Court jury he ordered a special police team, which normally operated in the Houses of Parliament, to carry out a sweep of Kensington Palace and the princess's car for bugs.Mr Meynell told the High Court jury he ordered a special police team, which normally operated in the Houses of Parliament, to carry out a sweep of Kensington Palace and the princess's car for bugs.
However, he said no record was made of the search, nor was the princess informed.However, he said no record was made of the search, nor was the princess informed.
Mr Mansfield, representing Mohamed Al Fayed, said since there was no record of Mr Meynell ordering a sweep, maybe it did not happen.Mr Mansfield, representing Mohamed Al Fayed, said since there was no record of Mr Meynell ordering a sweep, maybe it did not happen.
He added: "Did you...think it was possible for the security services to be involved in monitoring and you did not want to get involved in finding out whether there was any devices?"He added: "Did you...think it was possible for the security services to be involved in monitoring and you did not want to get involved in finding out whether there was any devices?"
Mr Meynell replied: "No."Mr Meynell replied: "No."
Summing up Mr Mansfield's questioning Richard Horwell QC, for the Metropolitan Police, said: "It may be inelegant language Mr Meynell but you are accused of lying to this jury."Summing up Mr Mansfield's questioning Richard Horwell QC, for the Metropolitan Police, said: "It may be inelegant language Mr Meynell but you are accused of lying to this jury."
Mr Meynell said he had only told the jury things as he had remembered them.Mr Meynell said he had only told the jury things as he had remembered them.
He said at no time did he have any indication that the security services were interested in any way in Diana.He said at no time did he have any indication that the security services were interested in any way in Diana.
'Ticking sounds'
Later, the jury heard that the day after Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris, a celebrity picture agency was sent a bomb threat.
The caller to Big Pictures offices said: 'You killed Diana, we are going to kill you, we are going to blow up your building,' the court heard.
I have no evidence of who was in my office that particular night at all, I got out of there as quickly as I could Darryn Lyons, chairman of Big Pictures
Darryn Lyons, chairman of the agency, also said on returning to his London offices several days later, he believed there had been a break-in and a bomb planted there.
The power was out, "ticking noises" could be heard and a suspicious light was visible, he told the jury via videolink from Sydney.
Nicholas Hilliard, for the coroner, said police records said the ticking sound was clocks in the newsroom and the light may have come from a computer.
Mr Lyons said: "The strange thing was that the power was completely cut out (in the building but not the rest of the street).
"I have no evidence of who was in my office that particular night at all, I got out of there as quickly as I could."
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.