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.
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"The BBC apologises unreservedly to Commander Jephson for the harm caused to him and has paid his legal costs. The BBC has also paid Commander Jephson a substantial sum in damages which he intends to donate in full to British charities nominated by him.”
Mr Jephson has since revealed that he will be donating a substantial amount to Tŷ Hafan – a charity close to Princess Diana’s heart and where she was the first ever patron until her death. “After more than 25 years it is a relief finally to reach a conclusion to this painful episode,” Mr Jephson said. You can follow more of our stories by subscribing to our daily newsletter here.
“I am grateful to Lord Dyson and the journalists whose tenacity has brought the truth to light and I now look forward to donating the damages I have been awarded to Tŷ Hafan, the hospice for children in Wales, in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.”
Tŷ Hafan CEO Maria Timon Samra thanked Mr Jephson and said the donation “will help enable Tŷ Hafan to continue to provide vital care and support to hundreds of children with life-limiting conditions”. “As our first patron Diana, Princess of Wales, was a massive supporter of our charity and played an integral role in its foundation,” she said.
“In 1995 she persuaded her friend, renowned opera star Luciano Pavarotti, to perform at Cardiff Castle to raise money for our charity. Thanks to this we were able to commence building our hospice in 1996.
“This donation is a great tribute to Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ invaluable contribution to Tŷ Hafan and will help us to ensure that her legacy of love lives on in Wales.”
Following Lord Dyson's report Prince William said the interview "contributed significantly" to his mother's "fear, paranoia and isolation" and called for the episode to never be broadcast again.
