Martin Bashir quits BBC amid 1985 Princess Diana Panorama interview probe

Martin Bashir has quit the BBC for health reasons as an investigation continues into how he obtained his famous 1995 interview with Princess Diana.

The 58-year-old former star reporter at the corporation, who has been on sick leave for months, was rehired by the BBC in 2016 as its religious affairs correspondent.

Mr Bashir allegedly peddled a series of lies and smears designed to lure Diana into his trust, two years before she died in a car crash in Paris.

But in recent months he has been seriously ill with Covid-19 related complications. 

News of his departure was announced by Jonathan Munro, the BBC’s deputy director of news, in a message to staff which told of the reporter’s ‘ongoing’ health issues.

Mr Munro said today: ‘Martin Bashir has stepped down from his position as the BBC’s religion editor, and is leaving the corporation.

‘He let us know of his decision last month, just before being readmitted to hospital for another surgical procedure on his heart.

‘Although he underwent major surgery toward the end of last year, he is facing some ongoing issues and has decided to focus on his health. We wish him a complete and speedy recovery.’

Mr Bashir began working as a journalist in 1986 but made headlines around the world in 1995 for his interview with Diana for Panorama.

Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has alleged Mr Bashir showed him fake financial documents and told untrue stories about the royal family to gain access to his sister.

Last November the BBC commissioned former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson to probe allegations that the corporation covered up the trail of deceit by its reporter.

The BBC is also set to broadcast a Panorama investigation – into itself – which is expected to uncover dramatic failings by former corporation chiefs.