Ambassador denies ordering embalming of Diana's body
Britain’s ambassador in Paris at the time of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales emphatically denied today that he ordered the embalming of her body on the instructions of MI5 to “conceal the fact she was pregnant with Dodi Fayed’s child”.
Lord Jay, who was Sir Michael Jay at the time of the car crash that killed the couple in the early hours of August 31 1997, told the London inquest into their deaths: “There is no truth in this allegation whatsoever.”
Ian Burnett, counsel to the inquest, also told Lord Jay: “It has been suggested that Lord Fellowes, who was at the time the Queen’s private secretary and also a brother-in-law of the Princess of Wales, was in Paris on the night of August 30 and had commandeered the operations room in the (British) embassy essentially to oversee and organise the murder of his sister-in-law. Was he in Paris?”
Lord Jay: “No, he was not.”
Dodi’s father, Harrods boss Mohamed al Fayed, is convinced the fatal crash in the Alma Tunnel was staged as part of an MI6 murder plot to eliminate the couple to prevent them marrying.
Mr al Fayed believes spies based at the British embassy were operating at the behest of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Lord Jay confirmed today that a Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) – better known as MI6 – team was operating at the embassy at the time, as was a representative of the Security Service MI5, but said he has no reason to believe it had anything to do with the crash.
Their purpose was “to liaise with the French authorities on issues such as counter-terrorism, anti-drugs work, security issues and to share intelligence on matters of foreign policy.”
The first he was even aware of Diana’s presence in Paris was when he was awoken with news of the crash just over an hour afterwards.
Earlier in today’s hearing, Mr al Fayed’s legal adviser, Stuart Benson, told Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker and the jury that Dodi hinted to him in a phone call a few days before his death that he and Diana had got engaged.
No other details were given during the brief call made as 42-year-old Dodi and the Princess cruised around the Mediterranean on a luxury yacht.
The jury has already heard that a ring was bought for Diana by Dodi at the Repossi jewellers hours before their deaths.
Mr Benson said today that Dodi called him two days before the fatal crash.
“It was singularly short and pretty much the exact words (were) ’can’t really talk over the phone but my friend and I have very exciting news.
“’Are you around on Monday to have lunch as it will mean lots of issues to talk about and discuss’.”
The lawyer, who has worked for Harrods boss Mohamed al Fayed for more than 15 years, told the inquest that, following the call, he was “pretty sure” that Dodi was getting engaged.
Asked by Mr Burnett why he had come to this conclusion, Mr Benson said it was the “tone of voice and voice used”.
Diana was not mentioned by name by Dodi as he was concerned that his calls might be bugged.
The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow, when Lord Fellowes will give evidence.
