Princess Diana’s private secretary Patrick Jephson has donated a substantial sum given to him by the BBC in an out-of-court settlement to Welsh children's charity Ty Hafan. The BBC apologised “unreservedly” to the Princess of Wales’ confidant over the way journalist Martin Bashir obtained his 1995 Panorama interview with her.
Mr Jephson, who was private secretary to the princess from 1988 to 1996, received an undisclosed sum described as “substantial” from the BBC. It follows the publication of the Dyson report which criticised the methods used by Mr Bashir to get the interview.
Last year the report found that the BBC covered up “deceitful behaviour” deployed by the journalist. Following the settlement agreement a statement from the BBC read: “The BBC and Commander Patrick Jephson have reached a settlement following publication of the Dyson report. The BBC accepts and acknowledges that serious harm was caused to Commander Jephson as a result of the circumstances in which the 1995 interview with Diana, Princess of Wales was obtained, which have become apparent as a result of the report.
