Princess Diana Martin Bashir interview scandal: Lord Hall resigns as National Gallery chairman after report criticises former director general
Lord Hall was the BBC's director of news and current affairs when Bashir secured the explosive scoop with Diana.
Saturday 22 May 2021 15:52, UK
Former BBC director-general Lord Hall has resigned as chairman of the National Gallery, saying continuing in the role "would be a distraction to an institution I care deeply about".
Lord Hall was the BBC's director of news and current affairs when Martin Bashir's explosive Panorama interview with Princess Diana was aired in 1995.
The former director-general was heavily criticised in the Dyson report for his botched inquiry into how Bashir secured the interview.
Lord Hall said in a statement on Saturday: "I have today resigned as chair of the National Gallery. I have always had a strong sense of public service and it is clear my continuing in the role would be a distraction to an institution I care deeply about.
"As I said two days ago, I am very sorry for the events of 25 years ago and I believe leadership means taking responsibility."
Sir John Kingman, deputy chair of the National Gallery Board of Trustees, said: "Tony Hall has been doing a superb job as chair of the National Gallery, where he is much respected and liked. The gallery is extremely sorry to lose him, but of course, we entirely understand and respect his decision."
Lord Hall's move comes after the BBC was found to have covered up "deceitful" behaviour" used by Bashir to secure the bombshell scoop in which the princess declared "there were three of us in this marriage".
Lord Dyson's inquiry concluded Bashir was in "serious breach" of the BBC's producer guidelines when he faked bank statements and showed them to Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, to gain access to the princess.
The statements appeared to show News International and an offshore trust fund were paying Alan Waller, Earl Spencer's former employee, for insider information on Diana.
Mr Bashir had commissioned graphic designer Matt Wiessler to make the statements and after the interview aired, Mr Wiessler went to BBC executives, including Lord Hall, to say he thought he might have unwittingly played a role in obtaining the interview by deception.
Earl Spencer has written to the Metropolitan Police chief to ask the force to look again at the circumstances surrounding the interview, Sky News understands.
Scotland Yard had already said it would assess the contents of the investigation to ensure there is no "significant new evidence" to support a criminal investigation.
Prince William and Prince Harry have issued scathing statements following Lord Dyson's report.
William condemned the BBC saying the interview had fuelled his mother's "fear, paranoia and isolation" in the final years of her life and damaged her relationship with the Prince of Wales.
Harry said: "The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said he was "very concerned" by the inquiry's findings.
Julian Knight, chairman of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has said the BBC should now consider paying compensation to "whistleblowers", such as Mr Wiessler, who had had their careers harmed after raising concerns about the way Bashir had operated.