BBC Makes Pay Out To Princess Diana’s Chauffeur After Netflix Drama Prompted Legal Action
Martin Bashir falsely accused him of leaking information to the press, allegations which led to Davies’ abrupt dismissal in 1996, after years of service.
(Express Newspapers Via AP Images)
The BBC will pay substantial compensation to the late Princess Diana’s former chauffeur, Steve Davies, after journalist Martin Bashir falsely accused him of leaking information to the press.
The payout comes as part of the BBC’s ongoing reckoning with the tactics Bashir employed to secure his infamous 1995 Panorama interview with Diana and allegations led to Davies’ abrupt dismissal in 1996, after years of service.
In a 1995 meeting with Princess Diana and her brother Earl Spencer, Bashir reportedly claimed that Davies was feeding information to the now-defunct Today newspaper, advising Diana to “change your chauffeur.” This accusation resulted in Davies being let go without explanation six months later.
Davies only became aware of Bashir’s actions through its depiction in the latest season of Netflix’s The Crown. His law firm, Carter-Ruck, confirmed that this revelation was a significant distress for Davies, leading to his legal action against the BBC.
The BBC will pay Davies compensation and also his legal costs for the harm caused by what Davies’ solicitor called a “fabricated” and “serious” allegation.
According to Press Gazette, Samuel Rowe, representing the BBC, apologised in the High Court on the broadcaster’s behalf: “The BBC accepts that the allegation was likely to have caused HRH the Princess of Wales to doubt the Claimant’s loyalty and professionalism.”
He added: “The BBC is sorry for the distress and harm suffered by the claimant.”
Davies expressed relief over the resolution: “I am relieved that I have been able to clear my name, and my professional reputation as a chauffeur, through this legal process.”
The case is just the latest in a series of payouts by the BBC related to the Bashir interview, including significant sums to Diana’s former nanny, a former Panorama journalist, and a graphic designer.
