Diana inquest gets underway

Amid a crush of media attention Mohammad Al Fayed arrived at the High court this morning. He's waited more than a decade for an inquest - although he reached his own verdict long ago.

Today's inquest follows two previous investigations. The French inquiry and then Lord Stevens report both concluded Diana's death was an accident.

Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker is the man who will chair the inquest, he will sit with a jury of 11 men and women to examine many of the issues surrounding the fatal crash in Paris.

The inquest, expected to last up to six months, will look at the events leading up to the crash. It will investigate the aftermath - Diana's journey to hospital and treatment; Whether the driver Henry Paul was over the blood alcohol limit.

And it's expected to examine claims the couple bought an engagement ring the day of the crash.

Finally - probably just before Easter next year, the jury will be expected to reach a verdict. They can decide the deaths were accidental. That the couple were unlawfully killed. Or if it is still unclear, they can record an open verdict.

The proceedings

Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker started proceedings in front of a mass of legal teams and media at the High Court in London.

Diana, 36, and 42-year-old Dodi, were killed with their driver, Henri Paul, in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.

Their Mercedes smashed into a pillar in the Pont de l'Alma underpass after leaving the Ritz Hotel owned by Dodi's father, Mohamed al Fayed, who was among those present today.

Speaking as he arrived at the High Court in London ready for the long-awaited case, Mr al Fayed described himself as a "father who lost his son".

He said: "I'm hoping for justice, I'm a father who lost his son. I have been fighting for 10 years, at last I want to have justice."

The Harrods owner claims the Princess was pregnant with Dodi's child and that the couple were murdered in a plot by MI6 and the Duke of Edinburgh.

He added: "I'm certain of what happened, I know they have been murdered."

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