The inquest has been delayed again after Baroness Butler-Sloss, one of Britain's most senior judges, announced her decision to stand down as coroner from the inquest on the grounds that she has 'insufficient experience of an inquest with a jury'. This, from one of Britain's senior law makers is laughable.
Baroness Butler-Sloss was the third coroner to have taken responsibility for the Diana inquest, the first, Dr John Burton retired in 2002 and the second Mr. Michael Burgess, the Royal Coroner, standing down citing 'pressure of work'. What work could be more demanding of the Royal coroner's time than discovering how and why the Princess of Wales died?
Now the inquest will be taken over by Lord Justice Scott Baker and the nation is agog to discover how long he lasts before coming up with some excuse for not seeing the job through.
Muhammad Al Fayed. father of the deceased lover of the Princess has described this latest twist as 'an establishment fix' and, although Mr. Al-Fayed is known for his lurid and exaggerated descriptions, it's hard not to feel some sympathy with his views.
Baroness Butler-Sloss had first asked that she sit alone, then had to concede that Al-Fayed's accusation that Princess Diana and his son were murdered by the security services had to be heard. Her sudden claim that she lacks the necessary experience to continue this inquest does rather smack of pressure politics.
One hopes that no further obstacles obstruct the search for truth in this matter, but if, at some time before the next hearing, you read that Mr Al-Fayed has fallen to his death from the roof of Harrods after partaking of a liquid lunch - don't be too surprised!
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