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BASHIR'S 'COVER'

BBC boss ‘threatened staff who told him Martin Bashir used forged documents to get Diana interview’

A BBC boss threatened staff who told him that Martin Bashir used forged documents to get his 1995 Princess Diana interview, it is alleged.

Evidence that former Panorama editor Steve Hewlett knew of the deceit was passed to an inquiry whose findings are expected to be released within days.

A BBC boss allegedly threatened staff who told him Martin Bashir had used forged documents to secure his Diana interview
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A BBC boss allegedly threatened staff who told him Martin Bashir had used forged documents to secure his Diana interviewCredit: Getty
The evidence that ex-Panorama editor Steve Hewlett knew of Martin's deceit has been submitted to an inquiry
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The evidence that ex-Panorama editor Steve Hewlett knew of Martin's deceit has been submitted to an inquiryCredit: PA

When staff raised concerns over mocked-up bank statements Hewlett, who died of cancer in 2017, is said to have told them “in no uncertain terms to go away”.

A source said the evidence shows the documents “were buried at an official level”.

Bashir, 58, quit on ­Friday hours before the findings of the probe by Lord Dyson were handed to the BBC.

The findings of the inquiry are expected to be released within days, a source said the forged documents 'were buried at an official level'
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The findings of the inquiry are expected to be released within days, a source said the forged documents 'were buried at an official level'Credit: PA:Press Association
It comes as Bashir, 58, quit on Friday
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It comes as Bashir, 58, quit on FridayCredit: AP
Martin Bashir leaves BBC to ‘focus on his health’ as Panorama Diana probe concludes and will be published ‘soon’
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