Bashir used forged bank statements, claimed William’s watch was a listening device, alleged palace staff were spying, and even suggested Charles wanted Diana killed. He also produced a falsified document implying nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke had an abortion paid for by Charles.
Bashir later admitted falsifying bank documents, calling it a “stupid thing to do,” but insisted it had “no bearing whatsoever on Princess Diana’s personal choice” to participate.
The Devastating Fallout
The consequences were immediate and severe. Diana, already isolated, became increasingly distrustful. She dismissed long-serving aides, including her chauffeur, after Bashir allegedly convinced her they were informants.
“Diana had been schooled to believe that the people closest to her were taking money to spy on her,” Webb said. “All the people whom she’d relied upon… she got rid of.”
Webb believes that if BBC executives had warned Diana about Bashir’s lies, “her life could have gone in a different direction.”