07/09/2006

Diana inquest to be held in the New Year

The first preliminary hearings into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, are expected to take place early in the New Year, it has been reported.

Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss will take charge of the proceedings. She was appointed Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household, which was confirmed on Thursday, in order to conduct the inquest.

Lady Butler-Sloss was recommended for the role after Michael Burgess, Coroner of the Queen's Household, stepped down from the role in July, citing a "heavy and constant" workload as the reason for his decision.

Princess Diana, 36, and her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed, 42, were killed after the Mercedes they were travelling in crashed in the Pont d'Alma tunnel in Paris on August 31, 1997. Chauffeur Henri Paul also died in the crash.

The couple were being pursued by paparazzi photographers after leaving the Ritz Hotel.

The cause of the crash was blamed on Mr Paul, following a two-year investigation in France. The investigation suggested that Mr Paul lost control of the car because he was high on drink and prescription drugs and was driving too fast.

(KMcA)

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