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Plea for new Diana inquest delay Diana murder plot evidence demand
(about 3 hours later)
Lawyers have asked for inquests into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed to be put back for six months. Mohamed Al Fayed has been asked for evidence showing that his son Dodi and Princess Diana were murdered in a plot involving the royal family.
The lawyers, representing Mohamed Al Fayed, want the hearings postponed until 1 October because there is still a "massive amount of work" to do. Baroness Butler-Sloss, who will hear inquests into the deaths, is deciding whether Prince Charles and Prince Philip will be called as witnesses.
Baroness Butler-Sloss, who will hear the inquests, is also deciding whether Prince Charles and Prince Philip will be called as witnesses at the hearings. She has been asked by lawyers for Mr Al Fayed to postpone the inquests for six months to ensure adequate preparations.
The princess and Dodi Al Fayed died in 1997 in a road crash in Paris.The princess and Dodi Al Fayed died in 1997 in a road crash in Paris.
Their inquests are scheduled to start in May.Their inquests are scheduled to start in May.
Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed won a High Court ruling on Friday that the inquests should be heard before a jury.Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed won a High Court ruling on Friday that the inquests should be heard before a jury.
I would be very sad if I was obliged to delay the start of the main proceedings for another six months Baroness Butler-Sloss A starting point which will undoubtedly come to light during the inquest is Princess Diana's premonitions or fears Michael Mansfield QC, Al Fayed legal team
The decision overturned a ruling by deputy royal coroner Lady Butler-Sloss that she would sit alone.The decision overturned a ruling by deputy royal coroner Lady Butler-Sloss that she would sit alone.
Mr Al Fayed wants Prince Charles and Prince Philip to give evidence.Mr Al Fayed wants Prince Charles and Prince Philip to give evidence.
He maintains Diana and his son were murdered and claims their deaths were part of a secret plot by the British establishment.He maintains Diana and his son were murdered and claims their deaths were part of a secret plot by the British establishment.
At a pre-inquest hearing on Monday Michael Mansfield QC, representing Mr Al Fayed, said a six-month delay would be "a pebble on the beach" compared with the 10-year wait for an inquest. At a pre-inquest hearing on Monday Lady Butler-Sloss told Mr Al Fayed's legal team it would "enormously helpful" if they gave her evidence of the plot.
In written submissions to Lady Butler-Sloss Mr Al Fayed's legal team said expert witnesses had a "massive amount of work" to do before they could be called to give evidence. She said she would need evidence if she was to present the allegations to the inquest jury.
The submissions added "interested persons" could only begin a "phenomenal amount of work" after the findings of an inquiry into the case by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens were released in December. Michael Mansfield QC, representing Mr Al Fayed, told her she had the evidence already as Mr Al Fayed had given it to the inquiry into the case conducted by former Met Police chief Lord Stevens.
Lady Butler-Sloss told the court: "I would be very sad if I was obliged to delay the start of the main proceedings for another six months. I feel that would be very, very hard on the families." Interviews refused
Murder claim He told the court: "A starting point which will undoubtedly come to light during the inquest is Princess Diana's premonitions or fears."
Mr Mansfield also called for the inquest to be heard at a venue other than the Royal Courts of Justice, which he said was too small. He added: "Mohamed Al Fayed gave a statement to the police about this and what he had been told by Princess Diana during the summer months, about her concerns, her fears and so on.
But Lady Butler-Sloss said she hoped Court 73 at the Royal Courts of Justice could be made suitable. "He has already provided that."
At the hearing on Monday Lady Butler-Sloss is to consider who to call as witnesses at the inquests. Mr Mansfield said both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh were "witnesses of relevance".
He said Mr Al Fayed had only been provided with "a summary" of an interview Prince Charles had given investigators.
Prince Philip "was responsible for letters sent to Princess Diana" but has refused to be interviewed and Mr Al Fayed should be told the reasons why, he said.
Postponement request
Mr Mansfield also said he would want to see the original copy of a letter allegedly written by Princess Diana to her former butler Paul Burrell.
Earlier he asked for the inquests to be put back for six months saying expert witnesses had a "massive amount of work" to do before they could give evidence.
But Lady Butler-Sloss told the court she felt a delay would be "very hard on the families".
The princess and Mr Al Fayed had been pursued by photographers on 31 August when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont d'Alma tunnel in Paris.The princess and Mr Al Fayed had been pursued by photographers on 31 August when their Mercedes crashed in the Pont d'Alma tunnel in Paris.
The Stevens inquiry concluded that Diana had died in a tragic accident and there had been no conspiracy and no cover-up.The Stevens inquiry concluded that Diana had died in a tragic accident and there had been no conspiracy and no cover-up.