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24/04/2007
Coroner at Diana inquest steps down
Baroness Butler-Sloss is to step down as coroner for the inquests into the death of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed, it has been announced.
Last month, Dodi's father Mohammed Al Fayed won a judicial review against Lady Butler-Sloss' decision not to appoint juries in the inquest.
Lord Justice Scott Baker will now take over as coroner for the inquests in June. They are expected to take place in October, after being delayed from May due to requests from Mr Al Fayed's lawyers to give them more time to prepare.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lady Butler-Sloss said that she did not have the experience needed to deal with inquests involving juries.
She said: "I must stress this does not require a fresh start for the inquests. I will continue to preside over pre-inquest hearings until Lord Justice Scott Baker takes up the appointment in June.
"This will ensure the inquest's momentum is maintained while he will have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the voluminous paperwork associated with the inquests."
Lady Butler-Sloss was the second coroner to take charge of the inquests. Michael Burgess, the then Royal coroner, quit the inquests in July last year, citing a "heavy and constant" workload.
Princess Diana was killed in a car crash alongside Dodi Al Fayed in the Pont D'Alma tunnel in Paris in August 1997 and suspicion has surrounded the crash ever since.
However, an inquiry, led by former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens, concluded that the crash was a tragic accident.
(KMcA)
Last month, Dodi's father Mohammed Al Fayed won a judicial review against Lady Butler-Sloss' decision not to appoint juries in the inquest.
Lord Justice Scott Baker will now take over as coroner for the inquests in June. They are expected to take place in October, after being delayed from May due to requests from Mr Al Fayed's lawyers to give them more time to prepare.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lady Butler-Sloss said that she did not have the experience needed to deal with inquests involving juries.
She said: "I must stress this does not require a fresh start for the inquests. I will continue to preside over pre-inquest hearings until Lord Justice Scott Baker takes up the appointment in June.
"This will ensure the inquest's momentum is maintained while he will have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the voluminous paperwork associated with the inquests."
Lady Butler-Sloss was the second coroner to take charge of the inquests. Michael Burgess, the then Royal coroner, quit the inquests in July last year, citing a "heavy and constant" workload.
Princess Diana was killed in a car crash alongside Dodi Al Fayed in the Pont D'Alma tunnel in Paris in August 1997 and suspicion has surrounded the crash ever since.
However, an inquiry, led by former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens, concluded that the crash was a tragic accident.
(KMcA)
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30 November 2007
Al Fayed 'Knew' Crash Deaths Were Plotted
The Princess Diana inquest has been told of the reaction of her lover Dodi's father after hearing about the fatal crash. His immediate – calm – response was to insist that the deaths were staged deliberately – and was the result of a plot.
Al Fayed 'Knew' Crash Deaths Were Plotted
The Princess Diana inquest has been told of the reaction of her lover Dodi's father after hearing about the fatal crash. His immediate – calm – response was to insist that the deaths were staged deliberately – and was the result of a plot.
18 February 2008
Diana And Dodi 'Murdered', Al Fayed Claims
Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed were murdered, Mohamed Al Fayed has told the inquest into their deaths. The Harrods boss - Dodi's father - told the inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice, that there was a plot to have the Princess killed, in order for Prince Charles to be able to marry Camillla Parker-Bowles.
Diana And Dodi 'Murdered', Al Fayed Claims
Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed were murdered, Mohamed Al Fayed has told the inquest into their deaths. The Harrods boss - Dodi's father - told the inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice, that there was a plot to have the Princess killed, in order for Prince Charles to be able to marry Camillla Parker-Bowles.
05 March 2007
Al Fayed asked for evidence in Diana inquest
Mohammed Al Fayed has been asked to provide any evidence that Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed were murdered to an inquest into their deaths. Speaking at a pre-inquest hearing on Monday, Lady Butler-Sloss said that she had not been given "a shred of evidence" about the allegations.
Al Fayed asked for evidence in Diana inquest
Mohammed Al Fayed has been asked to provide any evidence that Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed were murdered to an inquest into their deaths. Speaking at a pre-inquest hearing on Monday, Lady Butler-Sloss said that she had not been given "a shred of evidence" about the allegations.
09 April 2008
Al Fayed Ends Ten Year Legal Battle
Mohamed Al Fayed, the billionaire owner of Harrods has told reporters "enough is enough" in light of the jury's verdict of the inquest into Princess Diana and his son Dodi's death.
Al Fayed Ends Ten Year Legal Battle
Mohamed Al Fayed, the billionaire owner of Harrods has told reporters "enough is enough" in light of the jury's verdict of the inquest into Princess Diana and his son Dodi's death.
02 October 2007
Dodi And Diana Inquest Opens In London
The inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi Al Fayed is underway at London's High Court. Mohamed Al Fayed, Dodi's father, said: "I'm fighting for 10 years. At last we're going to have a jury of ordinary people and I hope [for] the decision which I believe.
Dodi And Diana Inquest Opens In London
The inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi Al Fayed is underway at London's High Court. Mohamed Al Fayed, Dodi's father, said: "I'm fighting for 10 years. At last we're going to have a jury of ordinary people and I hope [for] the decision which I believe.
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