BRITAIN:A police investigation has dismissed conspiracy theories regarding the death of the princess, writes Lara Marlowe
Diana, princess of Wales, was not murdered, was not pregnant and was not engaged to marry her Egyptian lover Dodi al-Fayed, Britain's former top policeman, John Stevens, said at a press conference yesterday.
Lord Stevens's 832-page report on the deaths of Diana, Fayed and their French driver, Henri Paul, was the result of a three-year inquiry by 10 detectives that cost £3.6 million (€5.4 million).
Lord Stevens unequivocally dismissed theories spread by Fayed's father, the owner of Harrods department store, Mohamed al-Fayed, and on the internet, that the couple were murdered by the British intelligence agency MI6 because the royal family was embarrassed by Diana's affair with a Muslim.
"On the evidence available now, there was no conspiracy to murder any of the occupants of that car. This was a tragic accident," Lord Stevens said. "I am satisfied that no attempt has been made to hold back information and we are confident that the allegations made are unfounded."
Lord Stevens's inquiry concurred with a French investigation completed in September 1999 that the accident was caused by excessive speed and drink-driving. The car hit a pillar in the underpass beneath Paris's Place de l'Alma at a speed of between 97.6 and 100.8km/h. Driver Henri Paul had a blood alcohol level of 1.74 grammes per litre at the time of the crash. He was also taking anti-depressants.
Asked who was to blame for the crash, Lord Stevens said: "I lay no blame at anyone's door."
Lord Stevens also rebutted claims that Paul's blood sample was replaced in the French forensic laboratory. DNA tests proved that the blood showing the high alcohol content was Paul's, he said. Nor was Paul an informant for MI6.
Were it not for the persistence of Mohamed al-Fayed, the case would probably have ended with the French investigation that blamed Paul. The same ruling cleared nine photographers and a motorcyclist of responsibility for the crash.
Mr Fayed condemned Lord Stevens's inquiry in advance, claiming MI6 stole the former Metropolitan Police commissioner's computer and blackmailed him. At an emotional press conference yesterday, he denounced the inquiry as "garbage" and "a cover-up".
"I am certain 100 per cent that a leading member of the royal family has planned that and that the whole plot was executed on his order with the help of members of MI6," Mr Fayed said. He claimed he received threats, adding that "the world knows that the terrorists and the gangsters have taken my son away from me".
Lord Stevens said he knew his report would not end fantasies about Diana's death. "I have no doubt that speculation as to what happened that night will continue and that there are some matters, as in many other investigations, about which we may never find a definitive answer," he said. He nonetheless hoped his report "will help to bring some closure to all who continue to mourn the deaths of Diana, princess of Wales, Dodi al-Fayed and Henri Paul".
One of the few unresolved details is the white Fiat Uno that witnesses saw Diana and Dodi al-Fayed's Mercedes sideswipe at the entrance to the Alma underpass, moments before the crash. French police examined thousands of similar cars around the country, but never identified the one involved. Conspiracy theorists believe it was planted by MI6 to cause the accident.
But as Lord Stevens noted, Dodi al-Fayed changed drivers, cars and itinerary just before the couple left the Ritz hotel after midnight on the night of August 30th-31st, 1997, making it impossible for anyone to have planned the accident in advance.
Lord Stevens rejected Mohamed al-Fayed's assertions that Diana was pregnant and/or was about to announce her engagement to Dodi al-Fayed - allegedly motives for a plot to kill her. He confirmed that Dodi al-Fayed had purchased a diamond ring shortly before the crash. "We have spoken to many of her family and closest friends and none of them have indicated to us that she was either about to or wished to get engaged," Lord Stevens said.
"Prince William has confirmed to me that his mother had not given him the slightest indication about such plans for the future."
A statement issued on behalf of Diana's sons, William and Harry, said they were "extremely grateful" to Lord Stevens and his team "and trust that these conclusive findings will end the speculation surrounding the death of their mother Diana, princess of Wales".
Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, and her sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, issued a joint statement saying they "have been briefed on the conclusions of the inquiry and agree with them entirely".
Lord Stevens and his team interviewed or contacted some 400 people for the inquiry and consulted the CIA. Lord Stevens spent several hours with Prince Charles and spoke to Prince Philip. Mohamed al-Fayed claims the Duke of Edinburgh asked MI6 to murder the couple. Lord Stevens said there was no evidence of a connection between Prince Philip and MI6.
Two new eyewitnesses, identified in the course of Lord Stevens's investigation, will testify to the ongoing inquest, conducted by Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, one of Britain's most senior judges, who was appointed royal coroner last summer.
Mohamed al-Fayed wants an independent public inquiry rather than an inquest under the aegis of the British royal family.