Bid to involve Queen in Diana inquest
Updated on 15 May 2007
Lawyers for Mohamed al Fayed have launched a bid to involve the Queen in the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed.
Mohammed al Fayed arriving for latest chapter in this already protracted process - to watch his legal team vent their frustration over what they say are delays in being granted all of the extensive documentation and evidence which they've asked for.
In their crosshairs - Lady Elizabeth Butler Sloss - the now outgoing coroner - she resigned last month, after Mr Al Fayed won his legal challenge, calling for the inquests to be heard before a jury.
Those inquiries would revisit the collapsed theft trial of Diana's former Butler, Paul Burrell. During which he said, the queen had told him of "powers at work in this country of which we have no knowledge."
Mr Al Fayed's lawyers say references to the alleged conversation had been edited out of documents they'd been given.
"The inquiries which we suggest be made to assist, is for Her Majesty being directly approached and asked: "was there evidence of conversations as alleged by Mr Burrell." - Michael Mansfield QC
"As far as Her Majesty is concerned, I don't know what the protocol is; and whatever the protocol may be - it should be observed. In as far as you're saying that Her Majesty should be directly approached, I think that's unheard of." - Baroness Butler-Sloss
Mr Al Fayed's team is demanding still more of the supporting evidence behind the conclusion that the deaths of Diana - and Dodi al Fayed, were accidental
For Lady Butler Sloss and her successor: providing it all, and deciding whether it falls within the scope of the hearings, could delay the inquest well past the scheduled October start date.
