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Coroner rejects royal Diana jury Coroner rejects royal Diana jury
(20 minutes later)
Any jury at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana will be drawn from the public, the coroner has said.Any jury at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana will be drawn from the public, the coroner has said.
Lady Butler-Sloss told a preliminary hearing at the High Court that protocol which could see a panel from the Royal Household sit was "inappropriate".Lady Butler-Sloss told a preliminary hearing at the High Court that protocol which could see a panel from the Royal Household sit was "inappropriate".
A Metropolitan Police investigation last month concluded the 1997 Paris car crash in which Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died was a tragic accident.A Metropolitan Police investigation last month concluded the 1997 Paris car crash in which Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died was a tragic accident.
The court is to rule on whether there should be a jury and joint inquests.The court is to rule on whether there should be a jury and joint inquests.
Lady Butler-Sloss said she would hold a joint inquest if shown to have jurisdiction on the matter.Lady Butler-Sloss said she would hold a joint inquest if shown to have jurisdiction on the matter.
She suggested it would be "unbelievably expensive" to hold separate inquests into the deaths.She suggested it would be "unbelievably expensive" to hold separate inquests into the deaths.
The court was told at least 40 witnesses are likely to be called. There would be a need for interpreters and video-conferencing facilities.The court was told at least 40 witnesses are likely to be called. There would be a need for interpreters and video-conferencing facilities.
Lady Butler-Sloss, who is holding the hearing in public after initially deciding it would be held in private, said separate inquests would also be upsetting for the families.Lady Butler-Sloss, who is holding the hearing in public after initially deciding it would be held in private, said separate inquests would also be upsetting for the families.
Royal letterRoyal letter
As the proceedings got under way, Lady Butler-Sloss offered her "deepest sympathy" to the relatives and friends of the princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42.As the proceedings got under way, Lady Butler-Sloss offered her "deepest sympathy" to the relatives and friends of the princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42.
As soon as I receive the coroner's report, I expect to make arrangements for hearing the inquests Lady Butler-SlossAs soon as I receive the coroner's report, I expect to make arrangements for hearing the inquests Lady Butler-Sloss
The Princess of Wales's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Princes William and Harry, were present for the start of the two-day hearing.The Princess of Wales's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Princes William and Harry, were present for the start of the two-day hearing.
Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed, who is being represented by Michael Mansfield QC, was in court.Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed, who is being represented by Michael Mansfield QC, was in court.
Lawyers for driver Henri Paul, who was also killed, and sole survivor bodyguard Trevor Rees were also present.
In a written submission, the Queen's lawyer Sir John Nutting QC said a public jury would avoid an "appearance of bias".In a written submission, the Queen's lawyer Sir John Nutting QC said a public jury would avoid an "appearance of bias".
BBC Royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the onus at the hearing would be on the legal team representing Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed to prove why a jury would be needed.BBC Royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the onus at the hearing would be on the legal team representing Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed to prove why a jury would be needed.
Royal letterRoyal letter
Lady Butler-Sloss read out a section of a letter from Major Lowther-Pinkerton on the princes' behalf.Lady Butler-Sloss read out a section of a letter from Major Lowther-Pinkerton on the princes' behalf.
"It is their desire that the inquest should not only be open, fair and transparent but that it should move swiftly to a conclusion," she said."It is their desire that the inquest should not only be open, fair and transparent but that it should move swiftly to a conclusion," she said.
Princess Diana and Mr Al Fayed died when their car crashed in 1997Princess Diana and Mr Al Fayed died when their car crashed in 1997
Lady Butler-Sloss said there had been a delay in the inquest proceedings following extensive investigations into the crash in both the UK and France.Lady Butler-Sloss said there had been a delay in the inquest proceedings following extensive investigations into the crash in both the UK and France.
"The police were asked to provide a separate report to assist the coroner," she said."The police were asked to provide a separate report to assist the coroner," she said.
"As soon as I receive the coroner's report, I expect to make arrangements for hearing the inquests.""As soon as I receive the coroner's report, I expect to make arrangements for hearing the inquests."
The princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on 31 August 1997.The princess, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on 31 August 1997.
They were pursued by paparazzi photographers after leaving the Ritz Hotel for Mr Al Fayed's apartment.They were pursued by paparazzi photographers after leaving the Ritz Hotel for Mr Al Fayed's apartment.
A three-year inquiry, led by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence of a conspiracy to murder the couple.A three-year inquiry, led by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens, found no evidence of a conspiracy to murder the couple.
The inquiry report said chauffeur Henri Paul, who also died, was speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit.The inquiry report said chauffeur Henri Paul, who also died, was speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit.
The police investigation was requested by royal coroner Michael Burgess when the inquests were opened and adjourned in January 2004.The police investigation was requested by royal coroner Michael Burgess when the inquests were opened and adjourned in January 2004.
Mohamed Al Fayed wants a jury to hear the inquestMohamed Al Fayed wants a jury to hear the inquest
Mr Burgess subsequently stepped down blaming a heavy workload.Mr Burgess subsequently stepped down blaming a heavy workload.
Mohamed Al Fayed said Lord Stevens' "highly unsatisfactory" report left questions "unanswered".Mohamed Al Fayed said Lord Stevens' "highly unsatisfactory" report left questions "unanswered".
He mounted a legal challenge for the preliminary hearing into the inquest to be held in public.He mounted a legal challenge for the preliminary hearing into the inquest to be held in public.
UK law states inquests must be held in public but early hearings need not be.UK law states inquests must be held in public but early hearings need not be.
Speaking before the hearing began, a spokesman for Mohamed Al Fayed said: "He is hoping for openness and transparency and the appointment of a jury of ordinary people so that all the facts can be put before the British people."Speaking before the hearing began, a spokesman for Mohamed Al Fayed said: "He is hoping for openness and transparency and the appointment of a jury of ordinary people so that all the facts can be put before the British people."