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15 December 2006
For graphics see original report.
Source: http://www.direct.gov.uk/assetRoot/10/04/14/71/10041471.pdf (5.5MB)
The Operation Paget inquiry report into the allegation of conspiracy to murder Diana, Princess of Wales and Emad El-Din Mohamed Abdel Moneim Fayed Report INDEX Introduction Chapter One Relationship / Engagement / Pregnancy Chapter Two Perceived Threats To The Princess Of Wales Chapter Three Actions Of The Paparazzi In Paris Chapter Four Henri Paul - Ritz Security Officer And Driver Of The Mercedes Car Chapter Five CCTV / Traffic Cameras In Paris Chapter Six Mercedes Car Chapter Seven Blocking Vehicles / Unidentified Vehicles / Bright Flashes (The Journey To The Alma Underpass) Chapter Eight Post-Crash Medical Treatment Of The Princess Of Wales Chapter Nine The Embalming Of The Body Of The Princess Of Wales At The Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital Chapter Ten Actions Of The French Authorities Chapter Eleven Actions Of The Foreign & Commonwealth Office / British Embassy, Paris Chapter Twelve British Authorities’ Actions With Regard To ‘Suspicious Deaths’ Chapter Thirteen Bodyguards Of Mohamed Al Fayed (Trevor Rees-Jones, Kieran Wingfield And Reuben Murrell) Chapter Fourteen ‘James’ Andanson – French Photojournalist And Owner Of A White Fiat Uno Chapter Fifteen Central Intelligence Agency / National Security Agency, USA Chapter Sixteen The Secret Intelligence Service And The Security Service
INTRODUCTION This police report documents the findings of the criminal investigation into an allegation made by Mohamed Al Fayed of conspiracy to murder the Princess of Wales and his son Dodi Al Fayed. The Coroner of the Queen’s Household and H.M. Coroner for Surrey, Michael Burgess, also requested this investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to help him decide whether such matters would fall within the scope of the investigation carried out at the inquests. (Coroner’s remarks at the opening of the inquests, 6 January 2004.) The opening of the inquests had been delayed until then because of ongoing legal proceedings in France. A further report (commonly referred to as the ‘Coroner’s report’) will be prepared by police specifically for the inquest process. An inquest is an inquiry intended to produce a formal answer to four questions: (i) Who the deceased was. (ii) When he/she came by his/her death. (iii) Where he/she came by his/her death. (iv) How he/she came by his/her death. The police crime investigation will, as is usual practice, remain open until the conclusion of any inquest or other judicial process. Operation Paget will take account of evidence given at, or provided in connection with, any hearing. Background On Saturday 30 August 1997, the Princess of Wales arrived in Paris with Emad El- Din Mohamed Abdel Moneim Fayed (Dodi Al Fayed), the son of Mohamed Al Fayed. They had stopped there en route to London, having spent the preceding nine days together on board Mohamed Al Fayed’s yacht, the ‘Jonikal’, on the French and Italian Riviera. They had intended to stay overnight. Mohamed Al Fayed was and is the owner of the Ritz Hotel in Place Vendôme, Paris. He also owned an apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye, a short distance from the hotel and located just off the avenue des Champs-Elysées. At around 12.20am on Sunday 31 August 1997, the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed left the Ritz Hotel to return to the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. They were the rear passengers in a Mercedes S280 car driven by Henri Paul, the Acting Head of Security at the Ritz Hotel. Trevor Rees-Jones, Dodi Al Fayed’s bodyguard, was in the front passenger seat. Page 1 INTRODUCTION They left from the rear of the hotel, the rue Cambon exit. After crossing the Place de la Concorde they drove along Cours la Reine and Cours Albert 1er (the embankment road running parallel to the River Seine) into the Place de l’Alma underpass. The Mercedes collided with the thirteenth central pillar in the underpass. Dodi Al Fayed and Henri Paul died at the scene. Both were taken directly to the Institut Médico-Légal (IML), the Paris mortuary, not to a hospital. The Princess of Wales, who was seriously injured but still alive after the impact, was taken by the emergency services to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. Trevor Rees-Jones survived the impact with very serious injuries. He also was taken to the same hospital as the Princess of Wales for emergency treatment. At around 4am, following emergency surgery, the Princess of Wales died. None of the occupants of the car was wearing a seat belt at the time of the impact. The Investigation by the French Authorities The French authorities carried out an investigation into the crash within their own legal and investigative framework. An official of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Department went to the scene of the crash to take control of the initial investigation. This is not uncommon in France. She tasked the Brigade Criminelle section of the Paris Police with the immediate investigation. Seven ‘paparazzi’ present at the scene were arrested. The Public Prosecutor’s Department asked, on Tuesday 2 September 1997, for these paparazzi to be investigated for failure to render assistance to persons in danger (a specific imprisonable offence in France) and for ‘unnamed persons’ to be investigated for involuntary manslaughter and injury. ‘Unnamed persons’ is a term used in France when an investigation is opened with no specific, named suspects. On 4 September 1997 another three paparazzi reported to the Brigade Criminelle. They were investigated for the same offences. Following the Public Prosecutor’s request for an investigation, an Examining Magistrate, Judge Hervé Stéphan, was appointed to the case. The complexity of the case led to a second Examining Magistrate, Marie-Christine Devidal, being appointed to assist. Under the system of criminal justice in France, Hervé Stéphan was responsible for the direction of the investigation and his authority was needed for any action to be taken. This ‘inquisitorial’ system differs from the ‘adversarial’ system of criminal justice in this country where the police are, in the main, responsible for directing and carrying out a criminal investigation. Judge Stéphan’s investigation ‘attempted to define as fully as possible the sequence of events with a view to determining, at its conclusion, the legal ramifications of any possible liability.’ He concluded that there was insufficient evidence against the paparazzi photographers in respect of the offences then being investigated of involuntary manslaughter, injury causing a total incapacity for work in excess of three months and failing to render assistance to persons in danger. Page 2 INTRODUCTION He further concluded there was insufficient evidence against any person for the offences of involuntary manslaughter, injury causing a total incapacity for work in excess of three months or for endangering the life of another. Finally he stated that the offences investigated were not covered under any other (French) criminal legislation. He circulated these conclusions in a ‘Notice of Dismissal’ dated 3 September 1999. A number of legal challenges to the investigation and its conclusions were instigated in France. Some of these continue to this day. Response of the United Kingdom Authorities The crash and the three resulting deaths had occurred in France. It was therefore a matter for the French authorities to investigate, even though two of those who died were not French citzens. From the outset, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) acted in a liaison role with the French authorities on behalf of the respective Coroners in England who would be holding inquests into the deaths. Any enquiries carried out by police in the United Kingdom were solely on behalf of the French investigating authorities. Dr John Burton, Coroner of the Queen’s Household, assumed responsibility for the body of the Princess of Wales. Michael Burgess, H.M. Coroner for Surrey (and then Deputy Coroner of the Queen’s Household) assumed responsibility for the body of Dodi Al Fayed, as he would be laid to rest in the County of Surrey. As a result of ill health Dr Burton retired in 2002 and Michael Burgess took over the role of Coroner of the Queen’s Household whilst retaining his role as H.M. Coroner for Surrey. In July 2003, solicitors acting on behalf of Mohamed Al Fayed wrote to Michael Burgess. They stated that the criminal proceedings over which Judge Hervé Stéphan presided had now concluded, following decisions in the Appeal Court in Paris in April 2003. They urged Michael Burgess on behalf of their client to open the inquests and to ensure that in respect of Dodi Al Fayed ‘there is a proper investigation into his death.’ The letter contained details of the different strands within the allegation made by Mohamed Al Fayed to support his view that the crash was not an accident but murder and that this murder was the result of a conspiracy by the ‘Establishment’ and particularly HRH Prince Philip, who used the ‘Security Services’ to carry it out. Michael Burgess informed the MPS of this correspondence and the associated allegation and supporting claims. The MPS was continuing to act as liaison with the French authorities. The MPS considered the status of this allegation in the United Kingdom and its possible effect on the French investigation and conclusions. The French authorities were informed of the detail of the allegation and their view was sought as to whether they wished to deal with the allegation. They declined to re-open their investigation into the events of the crash. Page 3 INTRODUCTION On 6 January 2004, Michael Burgess officially opened the Inquests into the deaths of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed. He stated: ‘I am aware that there is speculation that these deaths were not the result of a sad, but relatively straight forward, road traffic accident in Paris. I have asked the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to make inquiries. The results of these inquiries will help me to decide whether such matters will fall within the scope of the investigation carried out at the inquests.’ Terms of Reference for Operation Paget On 15 January 2004, the Coroner and the then Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Sir John Stevens, now Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, agreed the following terms of reference for Operation Paget. • To liaise with the French authorities in relation to the deaths of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed and in doing so identify any investigative opportunities that the Coroner may wish to address with the French authorities. In order to assist the Coroner to achieve the above a comparative standard will be compiled in relation to lines of enquiry, technical analysis, witnesses and any other aspect of the enquiry the Coroner identifies to enable him to achieve his responsibilities to confirm the information provided by the French witnesses • To assist with lines of enquiry in the United Kingdom as identified by the Coroner • To identify allegations which would suggest that the deaths of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were caused other than as a result of a tragic road traffic accident and assess whether there is any credible evidence to support such assertions and report the same to the Coroner The primary purpose of Operation Paget was to assess any credible evidence that supported the allegation of conspiracy to murder, not to re-investigate the issues looked at by the French investigation. The British Police Crime Investigation (Operation Paget) Detailed consideration of the conspiracy allegation made by Mohamed Al Fayed led the MPS to determine that a criminal investigation should be conducted. Although the crash and the deaths occurred within French jurisdiction, any alleged offence of conspiracy was primarily based in the United Kingdom and the allegation came under that jurisdiction. The French authorities agreed to support the Coroner by allowing special operating procedures in relation to International Letters of Request (ILoR) due to the volume of enquiries anticipated. Page 4 INTRODUCTION The French ‘Judicial Dossier’ (case file) contains statements of witnesses, police reports, expert reports and judicial orders created during the French investigation. It is the property of the French authorities and remains so. However, following the opening of the inquests in England in January 2004 they gave permission for the Coroner, and on his behalf the police, to use the dossier in support of the British criminal investigation even though legal appeals were still continuing in France. This was possible because the French investigation had looked at the circumstances surrounding the crash and was aimed, in Judge Hervé Stéphan’s words, at ‘determining the legal ramifications of any possible liability.’ The conspiracy allegation is much wider in terms of breadth and timescale over which suspicious activity is alleged to have taken place. Operation Paget has used the content of the French judicial dossier as the foundation for understanding the immediate events around the Alma underpass. Where new techniques, or developed knowledge, allows that content to be enhanced Operation Paget has tried to do so. This is particularly so with regard to the ‘collision reconstruction’ techniques used at the scene. A significant element of the work undertaken by Operation Paget in assessing the conspiracy allegation was different from the French investigation into the crash. The Conspiracy Allegation Mohamed Al Fayed has made a principal crime allegation, supplemented by numerous linked claims and assertions. In essence Mohamed Al Fayed’s allegation is that the ‘Security Services’ (unless otherwise specified, this is taken to be the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) - commonly known as MI6) acting at the behest of HRH Prince Philip, arranged for or carried out the murder of Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales. The alleged motive was that the Princess of Wales was pregnant with Dodi Al Fayed’s child and there was to be an imminent announcement of their engagement. It is suggested by Mohamed Al Fayed that the Royal Family ‘could not accept that an Egyptian Muslim could eventually be the stepfather of the future King of England’. It is alleged that the Security Services of the United Kingdom covertly obtained the information concerning pregnancy and engagement, with or without the co-operation of overseas agencies, precipitating the need to put into operation a plan to murder them. Mohamed Al Fayed further alleges there was a cover-up by the ‘Establishment’ to prevent the conspiracy and murders from coming to light. Sequence of Events This is an overview of events to assist in placing the relationship of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed into context and understanding, in broad terms, how they came to be at the Alma underpass at 12.23am on Sunday 31 August 1997. Page 5 INTRODUCTION It should first be explained that in 1994, at her request, official personal protection had been removed from the Princess of Wales. She wanted less intrusion into her private life. Until then, the MPS ‘Specialist Operations’ Command had routinely provided protection to her as a senior member of the Royal Family. From 1994 onwards she received such protection only if she was on an official visit that warranted such security or if members of the Royal Family who warranted protection in their own right, most obviously her sons, accompanied her. Meeting on Holiday On Friday 11 July 1997 the Princess of Wales and her two sons, HRH Prince William and HRH Prince Harry, commenced a holiday in St Tropez. They were guests at the home of Mohamed Al Fayed. He had known the Princess of Wales previously, but this was the first time she had taken up his invitation of a summer holiday. The Princess of Wales had made it known to friends that she wanted to spend time with her sons in a secure environment and she knew that Mohamed Al Fayed had his own security team. Personal Protection Officers (PPO) from New Scotland Yard accompanied the Royal Princes and worked with Mohamed Al Fayed’s security team in St Tropez during this holiday. It was during the day of Monday 14 July 1997 that the Princess of Wales told the press “You will get a big surprise with the next thing I do”. It was also during this holiday that a photograph was taken of the Princess of Wales in a leopard print swimsuit, following which some newspapers ran a story that the picture might be an indication of pregnancy. Dodi Al Fayed, the eldest son of Mohamed Al Fayed, joined the family holiday on the evening of Monday 14 July 1997. There is evidence in comments that the Princess of Wales made to friends on her return that she enjoyed this holiday. She flew back to England with her sons on Sunday 20 July 1997. Dodi Al Fayed remained in St Tropez. The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed continued to spend time together. They spent the weekend of 26 July 1997 together in Paris. This visit attracted almost no media attention. The couple’s chauffeur said that they walked relatively freely in Paris without interference from the media or public. On their return to England the couple continued to spend time together and on Thursday 31 July 1997 they flew to Nice and holidayed together on the French and Italian Riviera aboard Mohamed Al Fayed’s yacht, the ‘Jonikal’. It was during this trip that the famous ‘kiss’ photograph was taken by the Italian photographer, Mario Brenna. Not only did this photograph appear to draw media attention to the couple, it is believed that the amount of money reportedly earned by Brenna focused the attention of the paparazzi. Page 6 INTRODUCTION The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed returned to England on Wednesday 6 August 1997. The media attention on both was now much greater. Dodi Al Fayed at that time had two bodyguards working for him, John Johnson and Trevor Rees-Jones, each on duty for a week at a time. Although well known in his own circles, Dodi Al Fayed was not a public figure and was not generally recognised in the street. His bodyguards described their work before his relationship with the Princess of Wales in fairly routine terms. On Friday 8 August 1997 the Princess of Wales flew to Bosnia in support of the United Nations landmines campaign, returning on Sunday 10 August 1997. She then took a short break with her friend the Honourable Rosa Monckton. They spent five days between 15 and 20 August 1997 cruising the islands of Greece in Rosa Monckton’s boat. According to Rosa Monckton, the media did not trace them on this cruise as it was such a small boat and no one was aware that the Princess of Wales of was on board. The Princess of Wales flew back to England on Wednesday 20 August 1997. Dodi Al Fayed during this time had spent some time in Los Angeles. On Friday 22 August 1997, the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed again flew to Nice to rejoin the yacht, the ‘Jonikal’. They cruised the Mediterranean coasts of France, Monaco and Sardinia. Two bodyguards, Trevor Rees-Jones and Kieran Wingfield, accompanied them during this time. Police Personal Protection Officers were not provided for any of the Princess of Wales’ holidays with Dodi Al Fayed, as they were private trips. Saturday 30 August 1997 On Saturday 30 August 1997 the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed flew from Olbia airport in Sardinia to Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of Paris, arriving at about 3.20pm. Trevor Rees-Jones, Kieran Wingfield, René Delorm, (Dodi Al Fayed’s butler), Myriah Daniels (a holistic healer) and Deborah Gribble (Chief Stewardess on the Jonikal), accompanied them. Some paparazzi were waiting for the couple at Le Bourget airport and took photographs as they disembarked from the plane. At the airport two cars were waiting. Philippe Dourneau, an experienced and regular chauffeur for Dodi Al Fayed, drove the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed in a Mercedes S600 car. Trevor Rees-Jones accompanied them. This was not the car that was subsequently involved in the crash. The other people who had been on the flight were driven by Henri Paul in a Range Rover. There were differing accounts of how distracting the paparazzi were while following the couple on the drive into Paris from Le Bourget airport. In any event, Philippe Dourneau appears to have driven in a manner that prevented the paparazzi from following them. He took the couple to Villa Windsor, the house in the Bois de Boulogne belonging to Mohamed Al Fayed. Henri Paul, in the meantime, Page 7 INTRODUCTION took the occupants of his car and the couple’s luggage to the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. Henri Paul and Kieran Wingfield, having dropped the other members of the party at the rue Arsène Housssaye apartment, drove to Villa Windsor and met up with Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales. After a short stay at the Villa Windsor, Philippe Dourneau drove the Princess of Wales, Dodi Al Fayed and Trevor Rees-Jones to the Ritz Hotel, followed by Henri Paul in the Range Rover, arriving at the rear entrance in the rue Cambon. It was now around 4.30pm. During this visit to the Ritz Hotel, Dodi Al Fayed went to the Repossi jewellers shop in Place Vendôme. The shop is on the opposite corner of Place Vendôme, a short distance from the hotel. Claude Roulet, the assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel, went ahead of Dodi Al Fayed and met him there. The details of this visit are discussed in Chapter One. The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed left the Ritz Hotel at around 7pm, again driven by Philippe Dourneau, from the rear exit in the rue Cambon. They went to the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. The paparazzi followed them on this journey. Jean-François Musa now drove the Range Rover. He was the owner of a limousine company, Etoile Limousine, which had close links to the Ritz Hotel. Henri Paul stayed at the hotel as he was now off duty and he left the Ritz Hotel moments later. At the apartment there were again differing accounts of how difficult and intrusive the paparazzi were. There is evidence of a minor altercation between them and the staff looking after the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed. The couple stayed in the apartment until around 9.30pm, leaving for a pre-arranged dinner at the Chez Benoît restaurant situated at 20 rue Saint Martin, Paris. This restaurant is situated to the east of the city centre. The route there would involve driving past the area of the Ritz Hotel (map attached at Appendix 1). Philippe Dourneau again drove the Mercedes with the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed in the rear. Jean-François Musa continued to drive the Range Rover accompanied by Kieran Wingfield and Trevor Rees-Jones, as they wished to give the couple more privacy. Again there are differing accounts of how difficult the paparazzi were on this journey. En route to the restaurant Dodi Al Fayed told Philippe Dourneau to abandon the plan to go to the Chez Benoît and to drive to the Ritz Hotel instead. The couple arrived at the Ritz Hotel at about 9.50pm. On this occasion Philippe Dourneau drove directly to the front entrance in Place Vendôme. The Ritz staff had not been expecting them to return and the arrival of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed at the hotel did not go smoothly. Some paparazzi upset the couple with their intrusive behaviour. At this point, a member of the Ritz Hotel security staff telephoned Henri Paul, as the Acting Head of Ritz Hotel security, to inform him of the couple’s unexpected return. Henri Paul, who had been off duty since 7pm, returned to the hotel within ten minutes of the telephone call, arriving shortly after 10pm. Page 8 INTRODUCTION Once inside the hotel the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed initially went to one of the hotel restaurants. They soon moved instead to the privacy of the Imperial Suite on the first floor, where they later dined. The Journey to the Alma Underpass The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed stayed in and around the Imperial Suite until leaving the hotel at around 12.20am on Sunday 31 August 1997, intending to return to the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. Again they left via the rear exit in the rue Cambon. Henri Paul now drove the couple, who were in the back of a different Mercedes, an S280 saloon, registration number 688LTV75. Although not accredited as a chauffeur, Henri Paul had been on several Mercedes driving courses in Germany. The S280 Mercedes belonged to Etoile Limousine and had been brought up from a car park under Place Vendôme. Trevor Rees-Jones was the front seat passenger. Philippe Dourneau and Jean-François Musa remained at the front of the hotel in Place Vendôme with the original Mercedes and the Range Rover, along with Kieran Wingfield. They were to attract the attention of the paparazzi away from the departure of the couple from the rear of the hotel. A short while after the couple left, both men drove their vehicles to the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment, unaware of what then happened in the Alma underpass. How it was decided that Henri Paul should drive this vehicle from this exit is discussed in full in Chapter Four. Again there are differing accounts of the behaviour of the paparazzi and the effect they may have had on Henri Paul’s driving. Once the paparazzi realised that the couple had left by the rear exit they were quickly in pursuit. Indeed a small number of the paparazzi had been covering the rear exit in any event. Henri Paul drove along the rue Cambon to the junction with rue de Rivoli, then turned right heading into the Place de la Concorde. After being held at traffic lights there, he continued towards the embankment road of the River Seine, avoiding the more direct route of the avenue des Champs-Elysées. He drove along the embankment road, Cours la Reine, Cours Albert 1er, passing under the Alexandre III tunnel. Philippe Dourneau, the chauffeur, described this as the professional drivers’ route, to avoid the heavy traffic of the avenue des Champs- Elysées on Saturday night. However, the obvious route after the Alexandre III tunnel is an exit slip road to the right, leading to the avenue George V or the avenue Marceau. Henri Paul did not take this slip road, but continued towards the Alma underpass. It has not been established with total certainty why Henri Paul made this decision, but eyewitness evidence placed a number of vehicles travelling close to the Mercedes at this point. There is forensic evidence that at some point the Mercedes car had a glancing contact with another car, believed to be a white Fiat Uno. The French investigation did not identify this car or the driver. Page 9 INTRODUCTION The Mercedes crashed directly into the thirteenth pillar of the central reservation in the Alma underpass. The car spun around and came to a stop facing the opposite direction. Operation Paget, using laser techniques to capture precise data, has recreated an extremely detailed computer representation of the Alma underpass and its approach. Collision investigators of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the United Kingdom Transport Research Laboratory Ltd (TRL) have used this model to interpret the physical evidence left at the scene of the crash, such as tyre marks; the spread of vehicle debris; and vehicle dynamics. This provides an understanding of the movement of the Mercedes as it approached and entered the underpass, supported by the physical evidence. This understanding has been enhanced by a comprehensive technical examination of the Mercedes S280 that was involved in the crash. These findings and conclusions form part of Chapters Six and Seven. Dodi Al Fayed and Henri Paul were pronounced dead at the scene. The Princess of Wales was still alive following the crash but barely conscious. She was taken to the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. Following emergency surgery she was pronounced dead at 4am local time. Trevor Rees-Jones was taken to the same hospital with very serious injuries and after extensive treatment was released on Friday 3 October 1997. Following external medical examinations by a French court appointed medical expert, the bodies of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were repatriated to England later that day. The Princess of Wales’ body had been embalmed in Paris. This is discussed in detail in Chapter Nine. Post-mortem examinations were carried out on the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed at Hammersmith and Fulham Mortuary on the evening of Sunday 31 August 1997. The cause of death for both was attributed to the catastrophic injuries sustained in the crash. An autopsy had been carried out on Henri Paul at the Institut Médico-Légal (IML) in Paris at around 8am on Sunday morning. Again the cause of death was attributed to injuries he sustained in the crash. The issues arising from his autopsy, namely the samples taken and toxicological analyses, are discussed in detail in Chapter Four. The Police Investigation Report The French investigation began immediately after the crash. The parameters and conclusions have been outlined earlier at page two. This report looks at the criminal investigation undertaken by the MPS into the allegation of conspiracy to murder. Mohamed Al Fayed has made claims in support of the allegation of conspiracy to murder over a number of years. These have been made in legal submissions, in letters to Operation Paget, and other forms of communication. This has included regular meetings between his team and Operation Paget. Mohamed Al Fayed provided a witness statement to police in July 2005. Page 10 INTRODUCTION Some claims are very similar but have slight differences as they have been amended by Mohamed Al Fayed over time as new information has come to light. The claims have been grouped together into specific subject areas, listed chronologically where possible, and sourced. Operation Paget has tried to examine all relevant evidence relating to the identified claims in order to address all of the questions raised by Mohamed Al Fayed. There are sixteen subject areas. These are aligned as far as possible to the different strands of the conspiracy allegation and each has a separate chapter in this report. The chapters taken together look at the allegation of conspiracy to murder. In broad terms they examine three key areas: motive, opportunity and capability. Chapter One focuses on the key element of motive. Why would anyone want to kill the Princess of Wales or Dodi Al Fayed? What evidence is there that the couple were engaged, intending to get engaged and about to make a public announcement? What evidence is there that the Princess of Wales was, or perhaps more importantly believed, she was pregnant? What evidence is there that, if true, this was sufficient cause for anyone to order her murder? The subsequent chapters examine in detail the events leading up to the weekend of Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August 1997. They assess who knew sufficient details of the plans, timings and movements of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed to organise and carry out a plan of such complexity. When assessing evidence relating to events around the Alma underpass this report focuses on the evidence relevant to the conspiracy allegation. The Coroner will be responsible for hearing the evidence to answer the four primary questions of who, when, where and how, in relation to a person’s death. Report Layout The Chapters are: 1. Relationship/Engagement/Pregnancy [Paget Note: The alleged motive for the conspiracy] 2. Perceived Threats to the Princess of Wales 3. Actions of the Paparazzi in Paris 4. Henri Paul - Ritz Security Officer and Driver of the Mercedes car 5. CCTV/Traffic Cameras in Paris 6. Mercedes Car 7. Blocking Vehicles / Unidentified Vehicles / Bright Flashes (The Journey to the Alma Underpass) Page 11 INTRODUCTION 8. Post-Crash Medical Treatment of the Princess of Wales 9. The Embalming of the Body of the Princess of Wales at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital 10. Actions of the French Authorities 11. Actions of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office/British Embassy, Paris 12. British Authorities’ Actions With Regard To ‘Suspicious Deaths’ 13. Bodyguards of Mohamed Al Fayed (Trevor Rees-Jones, Kieran Wingfield and Reuben Murrell) 14. ‘James’ Andanson – French Photojournalist and Owner of a White Fiat Uno 15. Central Intelligence Agency/National Security Agency, USA 16. The Secret Intelligence Service and the Security Service Each of these chapters comprise three parts: (i) The claims made to support the allegation (ii) The evidence (iii) Operation Paget conclusions British police investigations conducted in France have to be authorised by the French authorities, normally through an International Letter of Request under Mutual Legal Assistance. British police officers are not permitted to conduct enquiries themselves but can be present whilst French Judicial Police officers conduct the enquiries on their behalf. This applies to the taking of witness evidence. The record of these interviews conducted in French is known as a Procès-Verbal and is different in style and format to an English witness statement. This difference in style will be seen when reading the report. The claims at the beginning of each chapter are direct lifts from source documents or have been made in interviews to camera. The wording may have been abridged to assist the reader in understanding the key points. Operation Paget has assessed all relevant statements and documents and has included excerpts only where considered necessary. Excerpts from statements or other documents shown in italics are direct lifts and the language and spelling will reflect this. Evidence and opinion in the report is referenced and sourced. ‘Operation Paget Comments’ and ‘Paget Notes’ throughout the report are intended to assist the readers in their understanding of the evidence. These comments and notes are based on Operation Paget’s understanding of the issue. Page 12 INTRODUCTION Operation Paget will assess any new evidence from the inquest process. Any new evidence arising from legal actions by Mohamed Al Fayed in France will be assessed against the current conclusions in the report. A map of key locations is attached at appendix ‘A’ Page 13 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION APPENDIX ‘A’ MAP OF KEY LOCATIONS INTRODUCTION MAP OF KEY LOCATIONS Page 14
CHAPTER ONE RELATIONSHIP ENGAGEMENT PREGNANCY CHAPTER ONE CONTENTS Page i) Claims in support of conspiracy allegation 15 - 19 ii) Report 20 - 85 iii) Conclusions 86 - 93 CHAPTER ONE (i) CLAIMS IN SUPPORT OF CONSPIRACY ALLEGATION This Chapter deals with the claims made by Mohamed Al Fayed concerning the relationship between the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed and includes claims in respect of engagement and pregnancy. The claims concerning the relationship and engagement are dealt with first, followed by the claims concerning pregnancy. The following claims are direct lifts from source documents or have been made in interviews to camera. The wording may have been abridged to assist the reader in understanding the key points. Relationship and Engagement Précis of the claims made by Mohamed Al Fayed Mohamed Al Fayed claims that information of which he has personal knowledge or received from others showed that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were involved in a serious relationship and intended to get engaged; that they selected an engagement ring together from Repossi jewellers in Monte Carlo; that this ring was prepared and altered to the correct size by Repossi jewellers. He stated that Dodi Al Fayed later collected the ring from Repossi jewellers in Place Vendôme, Paris on Saturday 30 August 1997. Dodi Al Fayed intended to present the ring to the Princess of Wales that night and that they planned to announce their engagement on Monday 1 September 1997. The ‘Security Services’ became aware of this information through telephone monitoring, thus providing the motive for the alleged murders. Claims 1. On Monday (1st September 1997) Dodi and Diana will declare their engagement. 2. Dodi told Mohamed Al Fayed this on Saturday evening at 10 o’clock. 3. Diana told Mohamed Al Fayed this on Saturday evening at 10 o’clock. Source - 3 June 1998. TV Interview - Mohamed Al Fayed To Camera ‘Diana – Secrets Behind the Crash’ Independent Television, Nicholas Owen Page 15 CHAPTER ONE Claim 4. The ‘people’ who do not want to see Dodi as step-father to the future king want Diana and Dodi dead. Source - July 1998. Television Interview NBC ‘Dateline’ Mohamed Al Fayed To Camera Claims 5. On the day of the crash Dodi collected an engagement ring from a jeweller adjacent to the Ritz Hotel. 6. The ring had been jointly chosen and was being altered. Source - 7 February 2003, Submission by Mohamed Al Fayed to Minister for Justice, Scotland - Request for a Public Inquiry Claim 7. ‘They’ would not accept an Egyptian, naturally tanned, having curly hair as stepfather for the boys. Source - 25 August 2003 TV -‘The Belzer Connection: Diana Conspiracy’ Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera Claim 8. Dodi and Diana went into Repossi’s jeweller’s shop in Monte Carlo and chose a ring. Source - 31 March 2003 TV - Tabloid Tales: Piers Morgan, Editor Daily Mirror – Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera Claim 9. Dodi was murdered because of his intended marriage to Princess Diana and Mohamed’s belief that she was expecting Dodi’s child. Source - 25 November 2004, Letter From Mohamed Al Fayed to Sir John Stevens Page 16 CHAPTER ONE Claims 10. Dodi and Diana met Alberto Repossi in Monte Carlo and selected an engagement ring. 11. This ring was to be sent to Italy for sizing and Dodi was to collect it from Repossi at his shop in Paris on 30th August 1997. 12. Mr Al Fayed has seen footage from a CCTV camera at Repossi’s in Paris showing Dodi collecting the ring at about 6pm on Saturday 30th August. 13. The bodyguard Trevor Rees Jones made a false claim in his book that the ring had not been chosen in Monte Carlo. 14. Dodi phoned Mohamed in the early evening of Saturday 30th August and said he had to return to rue Arsène Houssaye because the engagement ring was there and he had to formally present it to Princess Diana. 15. Diana was under close surveillance by MI6. CIA and NSA in the United States closely intercepted and monitored her telephone calls. CIA and NSA possess 39 documents consisting of 1054 pages which relate in part to transcripts of telephone calls made by Princess Diana whilst she was with my son. ‘They’ would have been aware that she intended to publicly announce her engagement to Dodi on Monday 1st September 1997. Source - 5 July 2005, Witness Statement of Mohamed Al Fayed Page 17 CHAPTER ONE Pregnancy Précis of Mohamed Al Fayed’s claims It is alleged that the Princess of Wales was pregnant with Dodi Al Fayed’s child. The Princess and Dodi Al Fayed told Mohamed Al Fayed this information. The ‘Security Services’ became aware of this information through telephone monitoring thus providing the motive for the alleged murders. The Princess of Wales was illegally embalmed on the instructions of the Palace to conceal the fact the she was pregnant with Dodi Al Fayed’s child. Claims 16. Rumours circulating among the media by 30 August 1997 that the Princess might be pregnant. 17. Professor Lecomte stated the body of Diana was partially embalmed in France. 18. Embalming of a body prior to post mortem examination is contrary to French law. 19. Independent expert advice concludes that partial embalming renders analysis of body samples far more difficult and uncertain. 20. Also any pregnancy test, owing to the presence of embalming fluids, would have been likely to give a positive result, whether or not this was correct. Source - May 2003 Petition For Judicial Review - Minister For Justice, Scotland in name of Mohamed Al Fayed Claim 21. Dodi confirmed to Mohamed that Diana was pregnant. Source - 25 August 2003 TV -‘The Belzer Connection: Diana Conspiracy’ - Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera Claim 22. Diana told Mohamed on the phone that she was pregnant. Source - 30 October 2003 TV - Primetime Thursday, ‘Scene of the Crime’ by Patricia Cornwell - Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera Page 18 CHAPTER ONE Claim 23. Dodi was murdered because of his intended marriage to Princess Diana and Mohamed’s belief that she was expecting Dodi’s child. Source - 25 November 2004, Letter From Mohamed Al Fayed to Sir John Stevens Claims 24. To embalm Princess Diana in France was an illegal act, more especially because a post mortem had to be conducted in London. 25. Mohamed suspects the reason the embalming was done was to conceal the fact that the Princess was pregnant with Dodi’s child. 26. It has not been explained why Diana’s body was embalmed within an hour of her death and on whose authority. 27. This can only have been done to corrupt body samples that would have shown she was pregnant with Dodi’s child. Source - 5 July 2005, Witness Statement of Mohamed Al Fayed Claims 28. The ‘Palace’ ordered the embalming in France of Princess Diana. 29. There is a picture of Diana on the beach in front of Mohamed’s villa that shows the baby is there. 30. Diana was 2,4,5 weeks pregnant. 31. Dodi and Diana told Mohamed of the pregnancy a few days before. He kept this a secret. Source - 9 February 2006 TV - Daphne Barak Videotape - Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera Page 19 CHAPTER ONE (ii) REPORT Operation Paget has assessed all relevant statements and documents and has included excerpts only where considered necessary. Excerpts from statements or other documents shown in italics are direct lifts and the language and spelling will reflect this. Introduction This Chapter considers the evidence in respect of the relationship between the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed and the contention that they had selected an engagement ring and were to announce their engagement on 1 September 1997. It also considers the evidence in respect of the claim that the Princess of Wales was pregnant with Dodi Al Fayed’s child. Mohamed Al Fayed alleged that the couple were murdered because of their relationship, their forthcoming engagement and the Princess of Wales’ pregnancy. He claimed that the ‘Establishment’ knew of this and disapproved. This, he claimed, was the motive for the murder. It is proposed to deal with the evidence under the sub-section headings: 1. The nature of the relationship. 2. The alleged intention to announce an engagement on Monday 1 September 1997. 3. The alleged pre-selection of an engagement ring. 4. Alleged pregnancy. 1. The nature of the relationship Overview of events during the relationship Holiday in St Tropez On 11 July 1997, the Princess of Wales travelled to St Tropez with her sons as guests of Mohamed Al Fayed and stayed at his villa estate. They travelled to the venue with Mohamed Al Fayed, his wife and young children aboard his private jet. The Princess stayed in separate villa accommodation on the estate with her sons. Page 20 CHAPTER ONE [Paget Note: Mohamed Al Fayed’s witness statement gives this date of travel as 12 July 1997, whereas a copy of the log from his Park Lane control room shows it as 11 July 1997 (Operation Paget Other Document 22).] Dodi Al Fayed was not initially part of this group. He had been in Los Angeles before flying to Paris, where he joined his then fiancée, Kelly Fisher, and together they watched the Bastille day celebrations on 14 July 1997. Later that day Dodi Al Fayed joined the family holiday in St Tropez. Kelly Fisher remained in the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment but two days later, on 16 July 1997, flew to St Tropez and stayed with Dodi Al Fayed on one of the family yachts, the ‘Cujo’ (Operation Paget - Statement 119). The holiday visit of the Princess of Wales became much photographed and reported on by the world’s media. It was on 14 July 1997 that the Princess of Wales spoke to the press gathered nearby and made her comment quoted in the press as, ‘You’re going to get a big surprise, you’ll see, you’re going to get a big surprise with the next thing I do.’ (Operation Paget Other Document 546) Subsequent speculation and comment about this remark has suggested that it was a foretelling by the Princess of Wales that she was going to announce her engagement to Dodi Al Fayed. The comment was made around mid-day, before the Princess of Wales had met Dodi Al Fayed that summer and before he had even arrived in St Tropez. It was also on the same day, 14 July 1997, that the much commented upon photograph of the Princess of Wales wearing a leopard print swimsuit was taken. Subsequent comment about this photograph has claimed that it was visible evidence that the Princess was pregnant by Dodi Al Fayed. A relationship between the two had not begun at this time. (Operation Paget Message 330) The Princess of Wales and her children returned to London on 20 July 1997. 21 July to 30 July 1997 22 July 1997: The Princess of Wales travelled to Milan and attended the funeral of Gianni Versace. 24/25/26 July 1997: The Princess of Wales and her children stayed with her sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale. 26/27 July 1997: Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales travelled to Paris and spent time together. The Princess of Wales stayed at the Ritz Hotel whilst Dodi Al Fayed stayed at his apartment at rue Arsène Houssaye. Page 21 CHAPTER ONE [Paget Note: During this period the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were also said to have met each other in London on occasion.] First holiday on yacht ‘Jonikal’ 1 to 6 August 1997: The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed took their first holiday together on board the yacht, ‘Jonikal’. They cruised the French and Italian Mediterranean. 4 August 1997: The well-known ‘Kiss’ photograph was taken by Mario Brenna, an Italian paparazzo. This photograph of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed was published on the front page of the Sunday Mirror newspaper on 10 August 1997. 7 August 1997 to 21 August 1997 8 to 10 August 1997: The Princess of Wales was in Bosnia in relation to her antilandmine campaign. 15 August 1997: Kelly Fisher and her lawyer, Gloria Allred, gave a press conference in America decrying the way that she felt Dodi Al Fayed had treated her. 15 to 20 August 1997: The Princess of Wales was on holiday sailing around the Greek Islands with her friend the Honourable Rosa Monckton. 20 August 1997: The Princess of Wales saw her doctor. Discussed later in this Chapter. [Paget Note: Where their schedules permitted, the Princess and Dodi Al Fayed on occasion spent time together.] Second Holiday on yacht ‘Jonikal’ 21 to 30 August 1997: The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed went on their second holiday together aboard the yacht ‘Jonikal’. At the end of this cruise the couple flew to Le Bourget airport, Paris on Saturday 30 August 1997. Page 22 CHAPTER ONE Circumstances of the Princess of Wales The Princess of Wales’ divorce from HRH The Prince of Wales was finalised in August 1996. For two years from September 1995 until just before she died, the Princess of Wales had a close personal relationship with Hasnat Khan. They stayed at each other’s homes and Hasnat Khan met the Princess of Wales’ children. Indeed the Princess of Wales explored the possibility of an inter-faith marriage to him. No secret was made of this relationship; the media were aware from around November 1995 onwards. Circumstances of Dodi Al Fayed Dodi Al Fayed had been married previously to Suzanne Gregard, an American model. They were married in 1987 for about eight months. During 1996 and 1997 Dodi Al Fayed was involved in a relationship with Kelly Fisher. Kelly Fisher Kelly Fisher is an American model who had known Dodi Al Fayed since July 1996. According to Kelly Fisher, her relationship with Dodi Al Fayed had developed throughout the year. In early November 1996 they got engaged and by July 1997 they were intending to get married in August of that year. French Dossier D4086 Evidence to Examining Magistrate Hervé Stéphan 30 January 1998: ‘I had known Dodi Al Fayed for one year and four months. We had got engaged on 1 November 1996, with a view to getting married. Our relationship lasted until 7 August. From 16 July 1997 I was in St Tropez. Dodi and Diana were there, together with Mr Al Fayed senior. On 27 July, Dodi and I came to Paris : we stayed in the Rue Arsène Houssaye. I left for Los Angeles on 28 July. Dodi went to London and was supposed to be joining me in Los Angeles. All my family were meant to be travelling to Los Angeles for the wedding, which was due to take place on 9 August.’ Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 119 Kelly Fisher detailed in her statement how she and Dodi Al Fayed met in Paris at the beginning of July 1996 and how their relationship developed over the following months, in particular, after a week spent together on holiday aboard the yacht ‘Cujo’ in St Tropez at the end of July or beginning of August 1996. Kelly Fisher described how over the next months Dodi Al Fayed met her family and she met his. This included Mohamed Al Fayed. She visited the London Park Lane residence, the family home in Surrey and often spent time with Dodi Al Fayed in Paris at the Ritz Hotel or the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. Page 23 CHAPTER ONE Kelly Fisher stated that she and Dodi Al Fayed got engaged and that he bought her a diamond and sapphire engagement ring. Kelly Fisher stated that the engagement was announced at her sister’s wedding in November 1996 and that she was later given an engagement ring. An engagement party was held at the Beverley Hills Hotel in Los Angeles in February 1997. Kelly Fisher said that she and Dodi Al Fayed were soon to get married and live together. For this purpose, in April 1997, a property was identified in Paradise Cove, Malibu and purchased. ‘… Around the same time Dodi employed his secretary’s boyfriend, to find us a property, as he was a real-estate agent. Soon after Dodi employed him he found Dodi and I a property for sale in Paradise Cove close-by to Malibu. I was in Paris at this time and Dodi was in Los Angeles. Dodi brought all the house details back to Paris to show me and I agreed that it looked wonderful. I thought we would both be very happy there. …We had confirmation that we would be able to move into the Paradise Cove house in the first week of August and so we decided to get married then and have the reception at the house. …I was in Paris and was told by Dodi that his father was auctioning off the contents of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s property, Villa Windsor. We were invited to go to the villa, owned by Mohamed, to see if there was anything there that we wanted for our house in Paradise Cove. I took a video camera, the tape I recorded that day I produce as my exhibit KAF/3. It was Philippe that drove us there. There were a couple of tables there that we decided we would have for our house but really there was nothing that suited our taste.’ [Paget Note: The Paradise Cove property referred to by Kelly Fisher was identified as 27944 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California. Enquiries made by Operation Paget revealed that Highcrest Investments Ltd purchased this property on 12 June 1997. The property was transferred from Highcrest Investments Ltd to Triple M Trust on 3 August 1998. (Operation Paget - Other Document 522)] Philippe DOURNEAU Personal chauffeur to Dodi Al Fayed when Dodi Al Fayed was in France and other European Countries. French Dossier D4910 Interviewed by Examining Magistrate Hervé Stéphan 28 April 1998: ‘In fact, I ended up working exclusively for Mr Dodi Al Fayed. When he was in Paris, or more generally in continental Europe, it was me who drove him. When he was elsewhere, chiefly England, I still worked for him, this consisted of looking after the dogs, driving the butler, and running various errands or looking after the fiancée.’ Page 24 CHAPTER ONE [Paget Note: Philippe Dourneau has confirmed to Operation Paget that Kelly Fisher was the fiancée to whom he was referring. (Operation Paget - Message 955)] Michael Cole Director of Public Affairs for Harrods in 1997. In his witness statement he referred to Kelly Fisher. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 221 ‘In California, a young woman called Ms. Kelly Fisher came to public notice when she appeared at a news conference with a lawyer claiming that she had been engaged to marry Dodi Al Fayed prior to his relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales. I had never heard of such an engagement, if it had ever been entered into, and I knew nothing of Ms. Fisher.’ 2. The alleged intention to announce an engagement on Monday 1 September 1997 Operation Paget Comment There were 41 days from the end of the St Tropez holiday on 20 July 1997 until the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed died during the early hours of Sunday 31 August 1997. Of these 41 days their schedules would have allowed them about 29 days during which they would have been able to see each other. This includes the days aboard the yacht ‘Jonikal’. Mohamed Al Fayed Claimed the couple were going to announce their engagement on 1 September 1997. French Dossier D6948 Interviewed during French Investigation by Examining Magistrate Hervé Stéphan 11 December 1998: ‘Unsolicited comment “I can confirm that Dodi and Diana’s engagement was to from the Civil Party: be announced on the Monday, and that they died 10 hours after the purchase of the engagement ring that Dodi gave [?offered] to the Princess.’ [Translation Note: The word used in the French document ‘offerte’ can be translated as gave or offered.] Provided statement to Operation Paget - Statement 163 ‘During the early evening of 30 August, Dodi phoned me and told me that he had collected the ring from Repossi. He said that he and Princess Diana would announce their engagement on the Monday morning.’ Page 25 CHAPTER ONE Mohamed Al Fayed has also claimed this in an interview to the media. Interview to camera by Nicholas Owen on 3 June 1998 – ‘Diana – Secrets behind the crash’ Mohamed Al Fayed: “And then they call me and say what’s happening, that we are having dinner and after they are going back to the apartment and coming back on Sunday and on Monday they will declare their engagement. Dodi told me that and Diana told me that on Saturday evening at ten o’clock.” Nicholas Owen: “Did Diana speak to you in that conversation.” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Yeah.” Nicholas Owen: “Do you remember what she actually said to you?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “She was completely full of happiness, full of joy. At the end of the road she found someone who could fill her life, be happy, fulfil all her dreams which she lost and missed for years. She found a family she related to.” Enquiries undertaken Operation Paget made enquiries with family, friends and confidantes of the Princess of Wales to establish if any of the people close to her knew anything about engagement. HRH Prince William HRH Prince William had no knowledge of any plans for his mother, the Princess of Wales to get engaged to Dodi Al Fayed. Lady Sarah McCORQUODALE Eldest sister of the Princess of Wales. She spoke to the Princess of Wales by telephone on Friday 29 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 53A ‘When I spoke to her on Friday 29 August 1997, Diana was very upset. It was about 2.30pm. She told me that an article had appeared in Le Monde or some similar magazine or journal. It was concerning the subject of landmines and a female French journalist had interviewed her the week before. For some reason she had not seen the draft and her words had been mis-translated, looking as if she were criticising the British Government. I said, “Surely this is something Dodi can help you with” She replied, “I don’t think so”. I got the impression from her tone that the relationship was on stony ground. Page 26 CHAPTER ONE I have been asked whether Diana informed me of any announcement she was going to make. I don’t recall any but if she had been intending to make one on her return and felt she couldn’t speak to me at the time, she would still have said “I’ve got something to tell you when I get back.” She never said such a thing and I would put myself as her top confidante mainly because I was a blood relation and wouldn’t tell any secrets. Others might consider themselves in that role but I believe I would certainly have been one of the first to know. None of her friends communicated with each other, they only spoke to Diana. …As for any other future plans, Diana had talked about living in America or France but these were just options. She had seen our brother, Charles, escape abroad from the paparazzi and this appealed to her.’ Lady Annabel GOLDSMITH Friend who spoke to the Princess of Wales by telephone on Friday 29 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 46 ‘The last time I spoke to Diana was the Friday before she died. … I knew she was on holiday and I asked if she was alright. She told me she was having a wonderful time. I said, “You are being sensible aren’t you? You’re not doing anything silly are you, like getting married?” and she replied “Not at all. I’m being spoilt and I’m having a wonderful time. Annabel, I need marriage like a rash on my face”. We both laughed when she said this. I had asked her this question because I had seen her in the newspapers with Dodi Al Fayed and I thought, “What is she doing?” She also told me during that last conversation that she was definitely not serious about Dodi… …I do not know anything about a ring that Dodi was supposed to have given Diana. She did not speak to me about any ring at all.’ Paul BURRELL Butler and confidante. He spoke to the Princess of Wales by telephone on Thursday 28 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 24A ‘It was during that same conversation that she told me of the jewellery that Dodi Al Fayed had given her as a gift; earrings, necklace, bracelet. I said “You know he’s going to propose to you. He’s going to give you a ring.” She asked for my advice if that happened. She didn’t want to accept it but didn’t want to offend Dodi and seem ungrateful. I suggested she accept it and wear it on the fourth finger of her right hand. She thought that was a clever solution. She thought I knew the answer to a lot of things. It was during this part of the discussion that she also told me words to the effect “I need marriage like a bad rash.” Page 27 CHAPTER ONE The Princess was also very generous and would give Dodi gifts. I remember she gave him an Asprey cigar cutter personally inscribed “with love from Diana”, an Asprey key chain, a framed photograph and a pair of her father’s cufflinks. The Princess was also generous towards other admirers and friends. It was not unusual for her to buy gifts from Aspreys or to have commissioned pieces of jewellery for them. Although these may seem to be very personal gifts to some, this was usual practice for her.’ The Honourable Rosa MONCKTON Friend who went on holiday with the Princess of Wales, sailing around the Greek Islands between 15 to 20 August 1997 - between the two cruises aboard the ‘Jonikal.’ She spoke to the Princess of Wales by telephone on Wednesday 27 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 43 ‘During our holiday to Greece Diana and I talked in general about the presents Dodi had bought her…She said that Dodi had found a ring he wanted to give her. However, she told me she was not happy about him wanting to buy her a ring and said that she would wear it on her right hand. I do not know whether or not he had already bought the ring at that stage or whether he had just seen a ring he wanted to buy. We didn’t discuss any future intentions she may have had with Dodi.’ ‘It has been reported in the press that Diana was going to make an announcement on her return from her holiday with Dodi Al Fayed. I have no idea whatsoever as to what that announcement would have been. I certainly have no reason to believe that she was going to announce that she was going to get married. Diana’s plans always changed a lot. She had thought about moving to America and living in the country. She said she thought it would be good for the Princes and considered moving to Althorp.’ ‘…If Diana had been about to announce that she was getting engaged, she would have told me on the phone when she was away with Dodi. She would not have waited until she got back from her holiday. She would have a found a way to tell me and also Lucia, if she had been getting engaged. The last time I spoke to Diana was the Wednesday before she died.’ [Paget Note: There is mention of a ring during this holiday, which would indicate that the ring being referred to had been seen before 15 August. There is no evidence to indicate whether or not this ring was connected with or identical to a ring seen in Repossi jewellers and discussed later in this Chapter. Dodi Al Fayed also gave other jewellery gifts.] Page 28 CHAPTER ONE Lucia FLECHA DE LIMA Friend who spoke to the Princess of Wales by telephone on Wednesday 27 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 61 ‘The last conversation we had was the Wednesday before her death. It was normal and not very special. She told me she was due back on 31 August. It was not normal to have such a gap between conversations but there was a problem with the phones. I said, “Ma’am (I always called her this) do you think this is the one?” She said, “Well Lucia, it might because he’s very kind to me.” When you’re in your thirties and in love with someone you don’t use these words. It was not her way of talking. She was a very emotional person. I think maybe she could be heard by someone on the boat. She never mentioned marriage to Dodi. She would always tell me of gifts she received from Dodi, for instance a bracelet and a watch with pearls. She never mentioned a ring. When I saw those last photographs of Princess Diana at the Ritz I did not see a happy person. It was my guess that she was already fed up with the situation.’ ‘…I am sure she wouldn’t have married Dodi. I don’t think she was ever that much in love with him. It was more an infatuation. If she had been planning marriage, pregnancy or similar she would have told me immediately.’ ‘…I do not know of any planned announcement but guess it was more for publicity than anything else. She talked of future plans but was confused about her future. Sometimes she said she would love to move to America. She also mentioned South Africa and went there to speak to Dr Christian Bernard about a job for Hasnat.’ ‘…Dodi was a summer romance in my opinion.’ Susan KASSEM Friend who spoke to the Princess of Wales on three occasions by telephone on Saturday 30 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 42A The first telephone call was when the Princess of Wales contacted her around 11am, at which time they were unable to speak, so Susan Kassem called back a short while later. ‘That was the longest conversation we had that day. Diana told me she was looking forward to coming home and I could tell this by the tone in her voice. I knew her well and could sense her moods when we spoke. If she had an issue I would know. She had been travelling a lot that summer. It had been frenetic and she wanted to get back to the routine of going to the gym and seeing the boys. She was pleased to be having her own space for a while. Page 29 CHAPTER ONE I do not know where Diana was when we spoke on this occasion. We were close and I knew her movements but I do not know when I was told she was going to Paris. I knew she was due to return on the Sunday. We arranged to see each other on the Monday though did not organise anything specific.’ ‘…There was no mention whatsoever of an engagement, nothing to even suggest she might be expecting a proposal, not for a split second. I am certain she would have told me but there was no indication at all, not even “I’ve got something to tell you”.’ Richard KAY Journalist, friend and confidante who spoke to the Princess of Wales during early August and by telephone at about 6pm on Saturday 30 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 87 In relation to the telephone call on 30 August he stated: ‘On the 30th August 1997 about 6pm – 6.30pm English time, I was out shopping in Knightsbridge, my mobile phone rang and it was Diana. This was on the same mobile number as I use now. I remember going to sit in my car and we talked for about twenty minutes.’ ‘… It was a social call, part social and part to find out what was going on in the Press. The Princess of Wales dreaded the Sunday papers coming out. She was asking what was likely to be in the Sunday papers.’ Richard Kay detailed what he remembered of the conversation. In respect of prospective engagement or marriage to Dodi Al Fayed he stated: ‘…She did not tell me she was engaged or about to get married, or anything about a ring. If she had been engaged or given an engagement ring, there is a strong possibility that she would have raised it with me. Not least because she would have wanted to know how the media would handle it, but also because I was a friend. I remember a telephone conversation in early August 1997, we spoke about whether she was going to get married. She said “Absolutely not. I’ve just got out of one marriage and I’m not going to get involved in another one”. This may have been during her holiday with Rosa Monckton or during one of her other French trips.’ Page 30 CHAPTER ONE Rita ROGERS Spiritual adviser and friend who spoke to the Princess of Wales by telephone at about 4.50pm on Saturday 30 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Other Document 545 Rita Rogers received a telephone call from the Princess of Wales. This call initially went through to her answer machine with the Princess of Wales saying ‘Rita its Diana. I wondered if you’re there.’ On hearing her voice, Rita Rogers picked up the telephone. The Princess of Wales made reference to being followed by the paparazzi and made reference to a ring that Dodi had apparently bought her. The Princess of Wales spoke of Van Cleef jewellers although said that she did not know what the ring looked like. She stated that the Princess of Wales spoke of dinner at the Ritz Hotel and said that she was in a car and was calling from her mobile telephone. [Paget Note: CCTV evidence indicated that at the time of this conversation, the Princess of Wales was in the Imperial Suite at the Ritz Hotel] Rita Rogers stated that, ‘There was no talk of marriage or engagement’. Rodney TURNER Car dealer who used to supply the Princess of Wales with her vehicles. Over the course of time they had also become friends. He spoke to the Princess of Wales in mid-August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 88 ‘The last time I spoke to Diana was on the Wednesday before her holiday with her friend, Rosa Monckton. I think this was around 15th or 16th August 1997 but I cannot be specific about the actual date. I do remember it was a Wednesday though and I went round to Kensington Palace to drop a car off to her before she went away with Rosa. I knew she was going away with Dodi after her holiday with Rosa and I told her she should be very careful. She said to me “Rod, it’s all over. Back to work on the 4th September”. She said she was having a fun summer but she was looking forward to getting back to work. I would like to think she would have told me if she had been planning on getting married again but I don’t believe for one minute that she was. The ring that Dodi is supposed to have bought for Diana and the house that had belonged to Edward VII [sic] just weren’t Diana’s taste. That comment she made to me the last time we spoke will always stay in my memory and there is no question in my mind that she was anxious to get home and finish the relationship with Dodi.’ [Paget Note: The last phrase of this quote relates to Rodney Turner’s view of the Princess of Wales’ feelings at the end of the holiday. He had not spoken to the Princess of Wales for two weeks.] Page 31 CHAPTER ONE Lana MARKS Business associate and friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 115 ‘…Diana would have told me if she was going to get married. I appreciate that she would not have been able to say it openly over the phone because of her fears of being bugged but she would have found a way to tell me cryptically. Whenever she had some news to tell me she would always let me know. I think marriage was the furthest thing from her mind at that stage of her life. I do not think she had even considered it because her boys and their future were paramount to her.’ Taki THEODORACOPULOS Journalist and acquaintance of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Agreed Statement 15 ‘During August 1997 the newspapers were full of the relationship between Diana and Dodi and this was a talking point. On Tuesday 12 August 1997 I was on holiday and relaxing with journalist friends Charles Benson and Nigel Dempster and we were discussing the relationship and how we thought it might progress. In the spirit of the moment I telephoned Kensington Palace and was put through to Diana. I recall asking her ‘Will you be wearing a chador any time soon?’; a question that we both knew to mean would she be getting married soon. Her reply was ‘No’. Due to the open and frank nature of our relationship I am sure that this was a genuine response.’ René DELORM The butler to Dodi Al Fayed from 1990 or 1991 up until the time of the crash. He gives evidence about the relationship. He has written and published a book entitled, ‘Diana and Dodi, A love story.’ He was in the apartment at rue Arsène Houssaye on the 30 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 120 ‘In the book I explain how Dodi told me to have Champagne on ice ready for when they returned from dinner on 30th / 31st August 1997. He told me that he was going to propose to the Princess and showed me a ring. I will explain this incident in greater detail later in my statement. What I left out of that story was that later that evening I went to enter the living room; I coughed to announce my presence and saw the Princess sitting on the coffee table. Dodi was on one knee in front of her, caressing her belly and she was looking at her hand. The only thing I heard, was her say the word ‘Yes.’ I left it out because after their deaths, what I read in the press with people pretending she was pregnant, I didn’t want to get involved so I left it out. I have been asked why I have not included this in my book or mentioned it prior to today. My response to this is that it was speculation and I didn’t want to look like someone taking advantage and confirm the rumours. I thought if she was pregnant it would come out later.’…. Page 32 CHAPTER ONE ‘I have been asked if Dodi Fayed had proposed to the Princess? I do not know. Then I found the ring I believe it was the day after, when I went to look around after Mr Mohamed Al Fayed had left the flat. The first thing I saw was the box and I recognised it.’… ‘I have been asked if the Princess ever mention engagement. She did not.’… ‘I have been asked to describe the moment that Dodi showed me the ring. In my book I say,” …make sure that we have champagne on ice when we come back from dinner.” He told me urgently,” I am going to propose to her tonight.” This happened at one moment when the Princess was in her room getting ready. Dodi came into my kitchen. He looked into the hallway to check that she couldn’t hear and reached into his pocket and pulled out the box. He opened the box and told me he was going to propose to the Princess tonight. He asked me to have champagne on ice for when they came back. I have been asked to describe the ring. You can imagine how excited I was, everything I thought would happen seemed to be going that way. He put it back in his pocket and left. I saw the ring for a couple of seconds. He was not trying to impress me with the type of ring it was, he was showing me the ring he was going to propose with. Even when I found the ring, I remembered it. It was in the same box. I have been asked to describe the box. It was blue I think. I have been asked if this was the first time that the subject of engagement had been raised. Yes it was, except for a time when Mr Fayed asked me what I thought of the Princess. I said, “ She is an absolutely wonderful lady.” He said, “ You’re right.” I have been asked if I am certain of the wording he used when he told me he was going to propose. He told me, “ I am going to propose to the Princess tonight.” I have been asked if knowing the man as I did, whether he would have proposed without being in possession of the ring. It is pure speculation on my part but why would he propose without the ring?’… ‘The next time I saw the ring was when I opened the cupboard in Dodi’s room. I think that it may have been on the Monday, I cannot remember if it was Monday or Sunday. I had nothing to do except make sure everything in the apartment was ok. I opened the wardrobe in Dodi’s room. The whole wall is two or three mirrored double doors. I think it was the middle one. On the shelves right there like it was waiting there to be seen. It was not hidden or anything, still in the box. This was on the Sunday afternoon or Monday, I cannot remember.’… ‘I have been referred to a passage in my book on page 157, where I write,” I raised my eyebrows at Dodi, as if to ask, “Did you propose yet?” He just smiled at me and his shook his head very slightly.” I have been asked if in my opinion ,Dodi had not proposed to the Princess. That is why everything is a question mark. If he had told me or come back to the kitchen and told me she said yes that would have been historic. But he didn’t. Nobody told me anything. When I heard her say yes as I described, I only saw their posture. I heard the yes but if it was yes I will marry you or yes we can go to the Ritz I don’t know.’… Page 33 CHAPTER ONE ‘I have been referred to a passage on page 170 of my book where I write, “ Evidently he had decided to wait until they’d returned from their special dinner before he proposed to her?” I have been asked if that is still my belief. Evidently, because the ring was still there. She didn’t wear it to the restaurant because the ring is still there. I assume he didn’t.’… Stuart BENSON General Counsel and legal advisor to Mohamed Al Fayed who spoke to Dodi Al Fayed by telephone on 29 August 1997. Provided statement to Operation Paget - Statement 225 ‘On Friday 29 August 1997 I received a telephone call from Dodi who was, as far as I am aware, onboard the Jonikal with Princess Diana in the south of France. I cannot now remember if this call was made to me on my mobile or on a land line. He told me that he had `very exciting news' regarding him and `his friend'. I should explain that, on those occasions when he spoke to me on the telephone and Princess Diana was referred to by him, he would not use her name but would always refer to her as `my friend'. … The purpose of his call made to me on 29 August 1997 was to ask if I would be around in Harrods at around lunchtime on Monday 1 September in order to meet with him. He said that as a result of the `very exciting news' he had a number of things which he would need to discuss with me. He did not elaborate further and I did not ask. I merely told him that I would be around to see him at lunchtime on the following Monday. I can only speculate as to why he wanted to see me. However, the tone of his voice, the excitement with which he spoke to me, and the fact that it so clearly related to his relationship with Princess Diana and was something that was going to have legal impact and effect on him gave me no doubt in my own mind that they had decided to get engaged.’ Operation Paget Comment In 1997 any announcement by or about the Princess of Wales in relation to engagement or marriage would have been seen as a substantial media event. Such an announcement would have required preparation and notification beforehand and arrangements to deal with the subsequent media interest. Operation Paget is not aware of any plans or preparation being made by any parties apart from a potential meeting referred to by Stuart Benson. During the week following the crash a press conference was held at Harrods, led by Michael Cole. During this press conference he referred to a ring and to the relationship in the following terms. Page 34 CHAPTER ONE Michael Cole Press Conference – Harrods, 5 September 1997 Operation Paget - Other Document 161 ‘It is quite clear that the relationship was a sincere one on both sides and Mr Al Fayed has authorised me to give you a few details only. Incidentally, we did not leak the news of the ring which Dodi gave to the Princess only hours before their deaths. What that ring meant we shall probably never know and if the planet lasts for another thousand years, I’m quite sure that people will continue to speculate about its significance.’ Operation Paget Comment It has been claimed by Mohamed Al Fayed that the Princess of Wales was under close surveillance by MI6 and that her telephone calls were being intercepted and monitored by United States agencies. The relevance of this claim, according to Mohamed Al Fayed, is that, if it were true, the British authorities may have known that the Princess of Wales intended to announce her engagement to Dodi Al Fayed on 1 September 1997. That, he claims, is why the ‘Establishment’ orchestrated the crash that led to their deaths. All the evidence available to Operation Paget showed that there was no surveillance taking place. These matters are dealt with in Chapter Fifteen and Sixteen of this report. In any event, the evidence of those family, friends and associates who spoke to the Princess of Wales during the hours and days before her death was such that any monitoring of her communications would have failed to give any indication of pending engagement or an announcement being made on 1 September 1997. The friends and associates who were known to have spoken to the Princess of Wales by telephone on Saturday the 30 August 1997 were: • Susan Kassem, who received three calls – the first at 11am, then again shortly after 11am and finally a third call between 9pm-10pm • Rita Rogers, who received a call at about 4.50pm • Richard Kay, who received a call at 6pm-6.30pm [Paget Note: All times shown are local British times.] Page 35 CHAPTER ONE Those who were known to have spoken to the Princess of Wales by telephone during the days before Saturday the 30 August 1997 were: • Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Annabel Goldsmith on 29 August 1997 • Paul Burrell on 28 August 1997 • The Honourable Rosa Monckton and Lucia Flecha de Lima on 27 August 1997 It was only the content of the telephone call or calls that Mohamed Al Fayed stated he received on 30 August 1997 and perhaps a telephone call between Dodi Al Fayed and Stuart Benson on 29 August 1997 that would potentially have alerted the authorities. There was no preparation made for any announcement and therefore no indication of any impending engagement could be gained by this means. 3. The alleged pre-selection of an engagement ring Mohamed Al Fayed claimed he had information that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed went into Repossi jewellers in Monte Carlo where they met the jeweller, Alberto Repossi. The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed together selected an engagement ring. The selected ring was allegedly sent to Italy for sizing and was later collected by Dodi Al Fayed from Alberto Repossi in his shop in Place Vendôme, Paris on Saturday 30 August 1997. Background information Repossi jewellers’ has a retail outlet at the Hermitage Hotel in Monte Carlo. It has another outlet in Paris at 6 Place Vendôme, in a corner location diagonally opposite the Ritz Hotel. Repossi also shows jewellery in display cabinets in the Ritz Hotel and has other jewellery outlets. Alberto Repossi and his wife Angela are partners in the business. Mohamed Al Fayed is in possession of a ring purchased from Repossi jewellers. The ring is referred to as being from a range known as ‘Dis-moi Oui’ (Tell me Yes). The ring is made of gold and has a number of diamonds forming the shape of a star. The ring was given a unique reference number at the time of manufacture that enabled its movement to be tracked. The record book of the movement of all jewellery items in the Paris shop, which is known as the official police book, showed that this particular ring was in the Place Vendôme shop from 19 March 1997 until it was taken on 1 August 1997 to Repossi in Monte Carlo. Alberto Repossi closes his shop in Paris in August when the French people traditionally holiday and all the stock is moved from Paris to Monte Carlo. The stock, including the ring, was returned to the Place Vendôme shop in time for the visit on 30 August 1997 (Operation Paget Other Document 368). Page 36 CHAPTER ONE Evidence Those able to give evidence about this claim were Mohamed Al Fayed himself, two of his former bodyguards, John Johnson and Trevor Rees-Jones, and Dodi Al Fayed’s former butler, René Delorm. From Repossi jewellers, Alberto Repossi, his wife Angela Giove Repossi, employees Emanuele Gobbo, Lorenzo Cervetti and Alberto Repossi’s brother who, it is claimed, was the jeweller involved in sizing the ring. From the Ritz Hotel, Claude Roulet, Franco Mora and Franz Klein. The evidence relating to the selection and purchase of the ring is contradictory. In order to properly weigh the evidence of the witnesses it is necessary to understand some of the detail and subtleties of what they are saying. Alberto Repossi’s own accounts conflict with each other and with the apparent facts as revealed by closed circuit television footage from his shop in Place Vendôme, Paris. In accounts given after this length of time it may be difficult for witnesses to be precise. Some witnesses have had great difficulty recalling events. The information given by witnesses is listed here for completeness to document how accounts about the ring have evolved. Operation Paget will summarise and comment on the complex evidence and what it means under sub-heading c). Point at Issue The evidence showed that a ring (described by Emanuele Gobbo as an engagement ring) was obtained from Repossi Jewellers at Place Vendôme, Paris on Saturday 30 August 1997. The point at issue was not whether Dodi Al Fayed collected a ring on 30 August 1997 intending to propose to the Princess of Wales, but whether the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had together selected an engagement ring. These are entirely different propositions. The first may have indicated a desire by Dodi Al Fayed to propose to the Princess of Wales whereas the second would have indicated joint participation and acceptance of engagement by her. This sub-section will be presented under three sub-headings, as follows: - a) Pre-selection of a ring and events prior to Saturday 30 August 1997. b) The events in Repossi Jewellers, Place Vendôme on Saturday 30 August 1997 (including CCTV evidence). c) Operation Paget Summary and comment. Page 37 CHAPTER ONE a) Pre-selection of a ring and events prior to Saturday 30 August 1997 The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed took two cruises together aboard the yacht ‘Jonikal’ during the summer of 1997. The first cruise was between 1 and 6 August 1997. The evidence shows that the couple most probably went ashore in Monte Carlo on 5 August 1997. The second cruise was between 21 and 30 August 1997 and the evidence shows they went ashore in Monte Carlo on 23 August 1997. The evidence indicates that there were only two opportunities for the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed to visit Repossi jewellers in Monte Carlo and those were on 5 August and 23 August 1997. [Paget Note: The date of the commencement of the first cruise according to some open source information refers to the 31 July 1997 whereas a copy of the log from Mohamed Al Fayed’s Park Lane control room refers to 1 August 1997.] Mohamed Al Fayed Mohamed Al Fayed stated that the ring was selected during one of the cruises aboard the ‘Jonikal’. Provided statement to Operation Paget - Statement 163 ‘I turn now to the events immediately leading up to the crash. In August 1997 Dodi and Diana travelled to Sardinia where they joined my yacht, the Jonikal, and cruised the Mediterranean. It was during this trip that Dodi and Princess Diana met Alberto Repossi, a jeweller, in Monte Carlo and selected an engagement ring. The ring was to be sent to Italy for sizing and Dodi was to collect it from Repossi at his shop in Place Vendôme, Paris on Saturday 30 August 1997.’ [Paget Note: The couple did not travel to Sardinia to join the yacht on either cruise. However, the evidence is that during both cruises the yacht did sail to Sardinia. It was at the end of the second cruise that the couple flew from Sardinia to Le Bourget airport.] Trevor REES-JONES Trevor Rees-Jones was the bodyguard who accompanied the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed ashore in Monte Carlo on 23 August 1997. He stated that the couple did not visit Repossi jewellers. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 104 ‘On a previous occasion to that I went ashore in Monte Carlo with another member of the crew, Debbie Gribble, to get some flowers but there were no press around then. Another occasion I went there with Dodi and Diana, Princess of Wales. It was their decision to go and we did not have time to carry out a recce. Page 38 CHAPTER ONE There was no set itinerary but we ended up at a hotel that could accommodate the launch to collect us. The press were in Monte Carlo but they weren’t in your face too much at that time. We did not visit Repossi jewellers when I was with them and they did not go ashore in Monte Carlo at any other time when I was there. I was told they went to Monte Carlo on the previous trip when John Johnson was there.’ Operation Paget Comment The only other opportunity for the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed to have visited Repossi Jewellers in Monte Carlo together, was during their first cruise on the yacht ‘Jonikal’. This took place between 1 August and 6 August 1997. The relevant date during this cruise was probably 5 August 1997 when they stopped in Monte Carlo. John JOHNSON The bodyguard who accompanied the couple during the first cruise. He was clear that they did not visit Repossi jewellers. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 210 ‘So we took a small boat and went to Monaco. The party consisted of Dodi, the Princess, Dodi’s steward from America, whose name was René, and me. As the movement from the dock into Monaco progressed everybody began to recognise and draw attention to them and I had to hang back to keep crowds away. I recall walking uphill towards the casinos with a crowd following us as we went around the shops and then back to boat. I suppose we walked around for an hour or so. I think that the Princess was getting concerned over the attention, but I think Dodi was enjoying it. We only called into two shops, a CD shop and a flower shop. I recall the flower shop, because I had to go back to collect some flowers on the way back after the whole yachting expedition. They did not visit any jewellers. I would have remembered. I have been asked if I have any knowledge of a jewellery store named ‘Repossi’. I have never heard of it. As I have said, when Dodi and the Princess walked around Monaco, they walked briefly into a flower shop and a CD shop and that was it. I do not recall them stopping and looking into a jewellers window. We must have passed half a dozen or so jewellers during the walk but I don’t recall stopping outside any of them for any period of time. It is possible that they stopped outside a jeweller’s shop, but they certainly did not go into one. If they had stopped outside one, it would only have been for a few seconds. My attention was constantly on them and I followed from a distance of several feet behind to keep the growing number of onlookers back. As the numbers grew it was apparent that it was important to get back to the boat rather than drawing further attention and this was not the time to be going into shops.’ [Paget Note: John Johnson’s recollection was that the visit he refers to occurred on the day after the couple boarded the yacht. This would therefore have been either the 1 or 2 August 1997. The evidence of the Chief Steward on the ‘Jonikal’, Deborah Gribble, indicates that the visit was at the end of the cruise i.e. 5 or 6 August. A copy of the log from Mohamed Al Fayed’s Park Lane control room shows the yacht stopping at Monte Carlo on 5 August 1997.] Page 39 CHAPTER ONE René DELORM The butler to Dodi Al Fayed from 1990 or 1991 up until the time of the crash. He was present during both visits made to Monte Carlo from the yacht ‘Jonikal’. He stated that his recollection of the two cruises merged together. However, he stated that a visit to a jeweller that he assumed was Repossi took place during the first cruise with John [Johnson] present. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 120 In relation to the first cruise he stated: ‘I have been asked if there was an itinerary for the trip. I believe so. We moved mainly at night. We went to Corsica, Sardinia, Monaco. For me those two trips merge together.’ He added: ‘I have been asked about the trip to Monaco and whether I was always with them. I was with them all the time. Dodi told me to stay in front of them and the bodyguard, John was behind. We were never separated. At one moment they went into a jewellery store but I didn’t go with them. I have been asked if they went to Repossi. Yes, they went in there or at least I assume it was Repossi; they were inside for about 15 minutes, we waited outside. That was on the first trip. I cannot remember the route we took or what the store looked like. I did not mention this incident in my book because I didn’t remember it until after I had written it.’ Claude ROULET During 1997 he was the Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel (Franz Klein). He held a key position during August 1997. Operation Paget has interviewed him on four occasions. He was also interviewed six times by the French authorities during their investigation. He has remained consistent in his evidence and much of what he said has subsequently been corroborated by CCTV footage and documentary evidence. Interviewed by French Police in Paris for Operation Paget - Statement 136 - dated 8 March 2005 ‘Question: “Were you aware of a planned engagement between Dodi Al Fayed and Diana Frances Spencer-Windsor?” Answer: “It was a rumour which was circulating a lot between Paris and London.” “I was never told that directly, but a few days before their arrival in Paris Dodi asked me to go to Reposi’s [sic], a jeweller’s in the place Vendôme, and see a certain ring that Diana had seen in the window at Reposi’s in Monte Carlo.” “Previously in 1997 we had both been to Dubail’s, which was also a jeweller’s in the place Vendôme, to see a watch that Dodi wanted to offer Diana, but after the Monte Carlo episode he wanted in fact to offer her this ring which they had not been able to find at Reposi’s in Paris.” ’ Page 40 CHAPTER ONE Interview by Operation Paget - Statement 136A, dated 20 October 2005 ‘Four or five days before 30 August 1997, I spoke to Dodi by phone. Either he had called me himself, or Mr Klein or Mohamed Al Fayed asked me to speak to him. Dodi told me that he had been for a stroll with the Princess in Monte Carlo and that the Princess liked a ring that she had seen in the window of the jewellers’ Repossi. He asked me to ensure that this ring be available for them in Paris. He could not describe the ring to me, but he explained exactly where the ring was in the window – to the rear, at the right. From the description he gave me, it was quite a simple gold ring, but he was unable to tell me exactly what it was like. He did not tell me the reason he wanted to buy the ring, other than that it was a gift for the Princess. He did not give me any size for the ring - he was planning to choose the size with the Princess in Paris. After speaking to him, I discussed the matter with Mr Mohamed Al Fayed. Mr Al Fayed asked me to describe the ring to him, but I explained that even Dodi couldn’t describe it. He then told me to do what was needed for the ring to be in Paris for their arrival at the end of the month. At that time, Mr Klein was aware of this episode, but Henri Paul would not have been. I called the Repossi boutique in Paris, but it was closed. I asked my manager, Mr Mora, who was Italian, to get in touch with Repossi in order to ensure that the ring would be in Paris at the end of the month. Before I told him about this request for the ring, he had no knowledge of it and Mr Mora had had no contact with either Dodi or Mohamed Al Fayed. Mr Mora told me that the Repossis could not tell what ring it was. Mr Mora asked me to describe the ring again, but I told him that I couldn’t. Mr Repossi then told me that he would arrange to be in Paris when Dodi and the Princess were there, as he could not tell what ring it was, but that he had the same rings in Paris as he had in Monaco. It was difficult for us to get Mr Repossi to come to Paris, as he was on holiday, as were his staff. You inform me that Mr Repossi told you that Mr Mora telephoned him in early August 1997, asking him for the “Tell me yes” [“Dis moi oui”] ring. You also inform me that I telephoned him in early August 1997, giving him the size of the ring and telling him that it was to announce the engagement of Dodi to the Princess. You have read the relevant paragraph from the statement of Mr Repossi dated 29 September 2005 over to me. In response, I do not agree at all. The events took place as I have just described them to you.’ Interview by Operation Paget - Statement 136B - dated 18 January 2006 Claude Roulet produced a number of relevant documentary exhibits during this interview that he referred to in his statement. These included a sheet of paper that was faxed to Franz Klein on 23 August 1997, which listed items of jewellery and their prices and was written by Frank Mora. When Claude Roulet subsequently visited Repossi, Place Vendôme on 30 August 1997 he took this list with him and wrote on the reverse side. Page 41 CHAPTER ONE Claude Roulet’s statement detailed: ‘- Exhibit CR/1, the original sheet relating to your exhibits PCE/21102005/1 and PCE/21102005/3, is a list of items and their prices sent by fax by Mr Mora to Mr Klein. On the back written in biro by myself is the list of items of jewellery chosen by Dodi Al Fayed during his visit to Repossi on 30 August 1997. The “Tell me yes” ring does not appear in this list, but I have drawn it on that piece of paper.’ Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136C - dated 11 July 2006 ‘You inform me that Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales went to Monte Carlo twice during the month of August 1997. The first time at the beginning of the month, maybe the 5th August 1997; and the second time, later, the 23rd August 1997. You have asked me when it was that Dodi Al Fayed asked me to enquire about the ring, that the Princess of Wales liked, that he had seen in the window of Repossi jewellers. I recall that Dodi Al Fayed had only just seen the ring. I can confirm that immediately after the request from Dodi Al Fayed, I asked Mr Mora who had Mr Repossi’s contact details. I must have tried to contact the store in Paris which was closed for the summer holidays, and on realising this I asked Mr Mora to find out what items of jewellery were in the window of the Monte Carlo store. Mr Mora replied to Mr Klein by fax, by sending the document which I have already given you, exhibit CR/1. I even wrote on it “Monte Carlo pres montre platine” [Monte Carlo near a platinum watch], because the simple gold ring that Dodi Al Fayed was looking for, was, according to him, near a platinum watch. …I can confirm that Dodi Al Fayed did not enter the Repossi store in Monte Carlo, he only saw the ring in the shop window. He wanted to know more about the ring, but could not find anyone to ask the price, or did not want to ask the price in front of the Princess of Wales. You have asked me if I am sure that it was in the Repossi store. I am certain of this, it is what Dodi Al Fayed told me.’ ‘…Because Dodi Al Fayed wanted the ring that he had seen in Monte Carlo, I then asked Mr Mora to get the Repossi store in Place Vendome opened. You have asked me if it was the intention that the Princess of Wales would come herself to the Repossi store. It wasn’t certain, there was always a possibility but we did not know until the moment that Dodi Al Fayed arrived at the store alone. You have asked me if I am certain that Dodi Al Fayed did not have a ring made to size. I would like to confirm that there was no ring ordered in advance and no ring made to size for Dodi Al Fayed. Otherwise, why would he ask me to find out about a ring which was next to a platinum watch in the shop window of the Monte Carlo Repossi store? Furthermore, if Dodi Al Fayed had ordered a ring made to size, he would have made me aware of this. You know, it is quite possible that Dodi Al Fayed was going to ask the Princess of Wales to marry him, but to my knowledge he did not order a ring made to size.’ Page 42 CHAPTER ONE Franco MORA In 1997 Franco Mora was the manager of the Ritz Hotel working under Claude Roulet and Franz Klein. He denied knowing the name ‘Tell me Yes’, and did not recall knowing of any engagement or speaking to Alberto Repossi about any of this. Franco Mora initially could not recall making any contact with Alberto Repossi in relation to any jewellery for Dodi Al Fayed. However, after the list (Operation Paget Exhibit CR/1) and parts of the statement of Claude Roulet were shown to him he explained that he had not known that the contact he had had with Repossi jewellers in Monte Carlo, to establish what was displayed in their shop window, was connected to Dodi Al Fayed. (This contact was not with Alberto Repossi himself) Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 185, dated 14 December 2005 He stated: ‘You ask me if I was aware of a ring called “Tell me yes”. No. I have heard of it because it was in the papers, but not otherwise. I do not even remember talking about the ring.’ ‘You ask me when I found out that Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales were involved with one another. As far as I was concerned, it was just rumours. It was only when I was asked to have the Repossi boutique opened so that Dodi Al Fayed could give her a present that I became aware of their relationship.’ Franco Mora was informed of what Alberto Repossi had stated about telephone calls between them in August 1997, i.e. that Franco Mora had telephoned him in early August asking him for the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring, had told him the ring size for the Princess of Wales and that the ring was to announce the engagement of Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales. Franco Mora responded, ‘I do not remember contacting Mr Repossi prior to 30 August 1997. I have no recollection of a request during the month of August 1997 prior to the 30th. None.’ Franco Mora was shown the list CR/1 dated 23 August 1997 listing jewellery and prices, seemingly from Repossi in Monte Carlo. He agreed that he had written the list but stated that he had never linked either the information he had been asked to obtain or the list with Dodi Al Fayed. Page 43 CHAPTER ONE Franco Mora was read the following extract from the statement of Alberto Repossi. ‘At the end of July 1997, I received a telephone call in Monaco from Monsieur Mora, the Manager of the Ritz Hotel. He said he was going to introduce me to some very important people. He asked me if we had engagement rings. In particular the ones which were advertised this year, from the “Say Yes” Collection, and if we had any available at the moment. I said that we had and that I could produce them at any time. After a long discussion, he finally told me that the people were Mr Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales, and I didn’t say any more.’ In response Franco Mora stated, ‘I assure you and confirm on my honour that I do not remember calling Mr Repossi. Having seen all that, I do recall someone speaking to me about a shop window in Monte Carlo and that someone had seen some rings there. But I do not recall speaking to Mr Repossi about it, or speaking to Mr Repossi about Dodi Al Fayed or Diana. Even if I had known, I would not have spoken about it as it would have been confidential. Nor have I ever heard mention of a “Tell me yes” ring.’ He also stated, ‘…Prior to the day of the accident, I had never heard of an engagement between Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess, or anyone else for that matter. After the accident, and all that ensued, the publicity about the ring etc., it was said that they were going to get engaged. Everyone was talking about just that, but I did not hear it from anyone in particular.’ Franz KLEIN Franz Klein is normally referred to as Frank Klein. In 1997 he was the Chairman of the Ritz Hotel and still holds that position today although his title is now President of the Ritz Hotel. Franz Klein stated he was not involved in any ordering of a ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 205 dated 21 July 2005 ‘I have been asked to comment on what I know of the engagement of Dodi Al-Fayed and Diana, Princess of Wales. In mid August 1997 I was in Paris when Dodi telephoned me from Monte Carlo. He told me he was going to get engaged and said that he had seen a piece of jewellery in a display at a shop called Van Cleef in Monte Carlo. He asked me to enquire about it. I phoned Madame Ray of Van Cleef and to see if I could arrange a viewing and she said that was ok, but that the shop would soon be closing. I’m not sure if this was a ring or another piece of jewellery and no arrangement was actually made for a viewing. I later heard that Dodi went to the Repossi jewellers in Monte Carlo and ordered the ‘tell me yes’ ring but, as I have said, I was not involved in the arrangements for this, nor was I involved in the arrangements for the later visit to Repossi in Paris. Claude Roulet did this. I had no other communication with either Dodi or Mohamed al- Fayed between then and 29 August 1997.’ Page 44 CHAPTER ONE Alberto REPOSSI Alberto Repossi is the jeweller and joint owner of Repossi, along with his wife Angela. Operation Paget has interviewed him in London on three occasions, once in September 2005 and twice in 2006. Between the second and third interview, Daphne Barak (journalist) interviewed him to camera. The information given by Alberto Repossi in his three interviews with Operation Paget has been contradictory in parts. It may have been difficult for him to recall precise detail after this length of time. This imprecision may have led to him being unable to deal definitively with the following points in relation to events prior to 30 August 1997 and pre-selection of a ring. • When the visit was made to his shop in Monte Carlo • When he was contacted about the ring • Who contacted him • Whether it was he or his wife who was contacted • What was said • How the ring allegedly chosen was identified as the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring • The circumstances of how the ring was altered • Why there was no associated documentation for this alteration • How he was made aware of the correct ring size for the Princess of Wales • Who informed him that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were intending to get engaged Interview by Operation Paget - Statement 176, dated 29 September 2005 ‘I remember very well some events which took place in 1997. I have had a shop now in the Place Vendôme for twenty years and when I am in Paris I stay at the Ritz Hotel. I have always had Monsieur Al Fayed and his family as customers. Most of my clients in Paris also come from the Ritz Hotel; for example, the Hotel often asks for repairs for customers. So we work a lot for the Hotel. Page 45 CHAPTER ONE At the end of July 1997, I received a telephone call in Monaco from Monsieur Morra, the Manager of the Ritz Hotel. He said he was going to introduce me to some very important people. He asked me if we had engagement rings. In particular the ones which were advertised this year, from the “Say Yes” Collection, and if we had any available at the moment. I said that we had and that I could produce them at any time. After a long discussion, he finally told me that the people were Monsieur Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales, and I didn’t say any more.’ ‘…I heard no more from Monsieur Morra I even forgot about it. I received telephone calls every day, from different customers. One day, without either making an appointment or a telephone call, Monsieur Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales came to our shop in Monaco, which is situated in the Hermitage Hotel in Beaumarchais Square. From memory, I think it was at the beginning of August. I don’t know if I would have written it down, because I wasn’t there. The Manager at the time, M. Lorenzo Cervetti, received them. He rang me immediately afterwards, since they only spent a very short time in the shop. They told me they had seen the Princess at the shop window, outside, and the couple had opened the door and asked for me. When they were told I wasn’t there, they pointed out the ring and they said that they would speak to me.’ ‘…Later, the same day or on one of the following days, I received a telephone call from M. Claude Roulet, who told me that M. Dodi Al Fayed wanted to buy a ring which he said was pretty and which the Princess had chosen. I asked him for the size required, because usually the ring has to be tried on the finger. He told me a size, which I don’t remember, and I told him that the workshops in Italy were closed and that I could have it at the beginning of September. He told me he needed it for the first few days in September as they were going to announce their engagement. He asked me to get it ready for the 30 August, in Paris. I contacted my brother, who is in charge of the workshops in Italy, so that they could prepare the ring. Each ring is hand-made and has a specific production number, which is also found on the receipt. We had about ten days to prepare this ring. I didn’t speak to M. Dodi Al Fayed.’ Operation Paget Comment Contrary to the information relied on by Mohamed Al Fayed, Alberto Repossi clearly stated that he was not present in his Monte Carlo shop when the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed attended. He stated that his manager, Lorenzo Cervetti, was present in early August 1997 and that the couple had pointed out the ring that the Princess of Wales had chosen. Alberto Repossi stated that Claude Roulet contacted him later the same day or in the days that followed, told him the ring size for the Princess of Wales and told him that the ring was needed by the 30 August 1997 because the couple were going to announce their engagement during the first few days of September 1997. Claude Roulet denied this conversation. Franco Mora has no recollection of the conversations, as described by Alberto Repossi, taking place. Page 46 CHAPTER ONE Alberto Repossi was interviewed again and the relevant points of the interview concerning events before the 30 August 1997 are summarised. Operation Paget - Exhibit TJS/37 – TJS/43 Audio tape-recorded witness interview by Operation Paget on 20 April 2006 [Paget Note: This interview was conducted in French although Alberto Repossi often replied in English.] Summary of relevant parts of the interview Alberto Repossi stated now that he believed his wife in fact received the first telephone call, not him. He stated that he opened the workshop specially and ‘I don’t remember if it was smaller or larger, but we got it sized. Done to size.’ Asked if he had to re-open the workshop in Italy specially to get the work done he replied: ‘I called my brother, I said given the import of the client we can’t do otherwise. I don’t know if he just used a workman, because normally you need a craftsman and the cleaning and checking that the stones don’t come out but in any event we managed to deliver it.’ Alberto Repossi was given a resumé of the timetable of the relationship and whereabouts of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed from their time of meeting in mid July until late August 1997, in an effort to establish accurately the date on which the couple visited his Monte Carlo shop. He responded: ‘I think it must be this because I remember. I don’t remember a lot of things but the fact that it was the beginning of August.’ Alberto Repossi was read a section of his own statement of 29 September 2005 concerning what he alleged Claude Roulet said to him, including that he informed him of the ring size. Following this he stated: ‘I put it always the possibility that they called my wife too, because we are, we are, we can interchange. Because the relationship with the Ritz isn’t just with me, it’s with her too. Maybe it was my wife that took it and she told me straight away and then it was in my head. But in principle I confirm what I’ve said there.’ Alberto Repossi was told of the information given by Claude Roulet and Franco Mora and that they both denied what he has said about them giving him this information. He was unable to give a definitive response. Page 47 CHAPTER ONE Part of Claude Roulet’s statement, denying that he gave any information about the ring size or engagement to Alberto Repossi, was read over. Alberto Repossi failed to give any explanation in answer to this. He was also insistent, contrary to all the evidence, that the sheet listing the jewellery written by Franco Mora dated 23 August 1997 was a list of jewellery from his display window in the Ritz Hotel and not from Monte Carlo. Further questions about obtaining the ring size were asked of Alberto Repossi. He was unable to explain who told him the size or how he otherwise became aware of it. Towards the end of the interview Alberto Repossi agreed that he would locate and send copies of the receipts to be found either side of the receipt for the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring already in the possession of Operation Paget, and copies of the document that was completed showing the movement of the ring. Alberto Repossi explained that whenever he did business with a client he normally started a dossier to record what has been agreed. This was in order to prevent misunderstandings, for example about prices. Operation Paget - Other Document 494 Alberto Repossi interview to camera with Daphne Barak 14 June 2006 [Paget Note: Alberto Repossi is Italian. His first language is not English (although he speaks English) and this should be borne in mind when reading transcripts of his interview.] Daphne Barak: “And, let’s go back to 1997. To the summer, right? When is the first time you hear from Dodi that he’s looking for a ring?” Alberto Repossi: “We had the call from the hotel Ritz. Director in this time called me and say me, have you some ring, a diamond ring for engagement? I say, yes, of course. Have you already some? Yes, we have already some.” Daphne Barak: “And he called you to…” Alberto Repossi: “To Monte Carlo. And he told me, we have a very important client that we would like to introduce to you and can you prepare a few of these? I say yes, but they don’t say me who was. They said it’s a client, so we don’t enquire, because it’s not our role to request…” Daphne Barak: “What was it, like, July, August? What was it?” Alberto Repossi: “Was, I feel, 20th July. Something like this.” Page 48 CHAPTER ONE Daphne Barak: “And you never hear from this person for…” Alberto Repossi: “No. For a few weeks. And we forgotten about this, because every day was, especially summer period, it’s quite heavy.” Daphne Barak: “Who called you from the Ritz? Like, the manager?” Alberto Repossi: “Director.” [Paget Note: Franco Mora] Daphne Barak: “So, you don’t hear from the director for a while. What’s the next step?” Alberto Repossi: “Next step, that we receive the visit of Mr Al Fayed and Princess Diana in Monte Carlo.” Daphne Barak: “You’re talking about Dodi?” Alberto Repossi: “Yes.” Daphne Barak: “Not about Mohammed?” Alberto Repossi: “No. Dodi Al Fayed and Diana. They arrive incognito in Monte Carlo and asked about me, but without any appointment, anythings. And I was not there, so my staff receive and the Princess Diana choice [chose] one ring, and they left.” Daphne Barak: “And they left the ring?” Alberto Repossi: “No, no, no. They leave and they say, it will be this one. So I had in following some touch from the Ritz office, and I say, I request for size, for different things.” Daphne Barak: “And, this is what, around the beginning of August, right?” Alberto Repossi: “Yes. Beginning of August. Maybe 11th or 10th, something like this.” Daphne Barak: “Because, as far as I know from the file, it’s supposed to be 5th August.” Alberto Repossi: “[overtalking]. Yes. If I see, maybe…” Daphne Barak: “But your office in Monte Carlo send you the information about this specific ring…” Alberto Repossi: “Yes. As you can imagine, five second later.” Page 49 CHAPTER ONE Daphne Barak: “So, basically… And, by the way, when Dodi and Diana visited your shop when you were not there, did they say it was an engagement ring? Or she was just…?” Alberto Repossi: “Absolutely not. She chose this one. They tried to show her the things. She don’t want any other things. She want this, and finish. So, we receive after the size, and there was a big difference between the ring and the real size. So, we said, sorry but we will deliver it 10th or 11th September, something like this, because our factory now is closed, in Italy, and we will start to work on the beginning of September. So, in this case, I receive a call on back, from Mr Dodi Al Fayed himself, and he said, listen, I’m very sorry but we will be engaged 1st September, so we will announce the engagement. This is the reality. And I was so shocked, if you want, on this announce, that I said, okay, we will be ready for the 30th.” Daphne Barak: “And just the last, last question. The first time you heard from Dodi himself is when he calls you and he says, look, I’ve got to have the ring by the 1st September, right?” Alberto Repossi: “Yeah, I must to have it.” Daphne Barak: “And he tells you again why?” Alberto Repossi: “He said to me because I will, we will be engaged at the 1st.” Daphne Barak: “It was very crucial for him to be engaged on the 1st?” Alberto Repossi: “We announce the, the engagement the 1st.” Daphne Barak: “Hmm mm. And he calls you when? Like beginning of August, mid August?” Alberto Repossi: “No, after they, we decide, they decide which ring and everythings because we must put it on, on, on regular size.” Daphne Barak: “So after the visit in your shop in Monaco?” Alberto Repossi: “Sure. Sure. Sure.” Daphne Barak: “So probably we are talking about the 10th/11th August or something?” Alberto Repossi: “It will be more. Maybe 20 or something because we spent ten days for do it.” Page 50 CHAPTER ONE Operation Paget - Other Document 526 Alberto Repossi Interviewed by Operation Paget on 5 July 2006 During this interview notes were taken contemporaneously. Summary The contradictions in Alberto Repossi’s accounts already given were highlighted, as were the issues to be resolved. Alberto Repossi stated that to his knowledge the visit to his shop in Monte Carlo was on the earlier visit although he accepted that the 23 August 1997 was a possibility. However this would not have allowed sufficient time for the ring to be sent for sizing. He stated that it was possible that Dodi Al Fayed had contacted him directly at the time and that the information did not go through Franz Klein, Claude Roulet or Franco Mora as had been described. Asked if he had the size for the ring, Alberto Repossi stated that if he had had the size he could have delivered the ring straight away. Furthermore the Turin workshop would have been closed for the holiday period. He explained that in a normal transaction he would be happy to deliver the item without modifying it. Alberto Repossi stated that he thought he told Franco Mora this and subsequently received a telephone call from Dodi Al Fayed, informing him to get the ring sized because it was required for the end of the month. He stated that he remembered this well. Asked when he thought they saw the jewellery in Monte Carlo, Alberto Repossi stated that it was 5 August 1997 if not at the beginning of August and that this is what he had said from the beginning. It was put to Alberto Repossi that he could not say where the information came from about the ring size, to which he stated that they would normally open a docket for a client detailing what they had been shown and what prices they had been given, however he could not find a docket for this case and that was very unusual. Asked whether he sent an item for sizing or changing he would have a dossier, he stated that it was not a dossier but a ‘fiche’, but that in August the factory was shut, so possibly not. He stated that his brother might have just collected it to make the changes. He stated that the only person that would alter the ring would be his brother. Asked what contact he had from Lorenzo Cervetti after the couple visited Monte Carlo, he stated that Lorenzo Cervetti had told him that the couple rang the bell; they had asked about him (Alberto Repossi) and were told he was not there. He stated that the couple did not enter the shop but they looked in the window. Page 51 CHAPTER ONE They then either asked Lorenzo Cervetti to get Alberto Repossi to call them or told Lorenzo Cervetti what they wanted. Lorenzo Cervetti called him immediately afterwards. Asked what he then said and did, he stated that he was surprised as normally this type of client rung in advance to make an appointment. He was then asked whether it was Dodi Al Fayed or Franco Mora he had spoken to. He stated that it was Franco Mora. Asked what he did to get the ring from Monte Carlo to Turin he stated that he remembered that he did not have the ring size. He stated that he told Franco Mora that he would not open the factory for one ring so it would be ready by 10 September 1997. He was then told that it had to be ready for 30 August 1997 in Paris. They organised the Paris shop to be opened. He could not remember why they opened the shop in Paris as it was a delivery but he thought it was to show other items. Alberto Repossi stated that the ring was required to be ready in Paris for the 30 August 1997 and agreed that that would be done. He stated that he called his brother and told him that it needed to be done at all costs. Asked how the ring got to his brother he stated that he did not remember, that he sent it to him with somebody or he collected it. He would need to ask his brother. He did not know what his brother did with the ring. Alberto Repossi was told that his wife had said in interview that the ring was put aside because they did not have the size. He stated, “But how is this possible?” Angela GIOVE REPOSSI Joint owner of Repossi Jewellers. Angela Repossi works mainly in the Monaco store and occasionally in Paris. She has specific responsibilities for public relations and personnel. Her husband deals with the creative and design side of the business as well as purchasing. Operation Paget - Other Document 321 Audio tape-recorded witness interview by Operation Paget on 20 April 2006 Summary Angela Repossi stated that her husband had told her that Franco Mora had telephoned him in late July or early August 1997 to tell him that he would be introduced to some VIP clients who wanted to buy a ring. The ring would be required for September 1997. Franco Mora did not initially reveal the identity of the client. It was later that Franco Mora said that it was Dodi Al Fayed who wanted a ring for the Princess of Wales. Angela Repossi stated that she was not present when the telephone calls were made and only heard this information from her husband. Page 52 CHAPTER ONE Angela Repossi was told by her husband that there was something that Dodi Al Fayed had seen and liked in the Repossi shop window in Monte Carlo. She understood that he had said something quite specific about which more details would be provided. She stated that Dodi Al Fayed had specified that it was an engagement ring he had seen in the shop. Her husband had said that there were several lines but the one in most demand at the time was the ‘Tell me Yes’ range and that matched what they saw in the shop window when they went to Monte Carlo. Angela Repossi believed that it must have been her husband who referred to the ‘Tell me Yes’ range by name because it was a new range and was the ring he eventually bought. Angela Repossi stated that Franco Mora had said that the ring was required for the end of August or early September 1997 and that by the end of the conversation they knew exactly which ring was wanted and that it was to be prepared and sized. [Paget Note: Franco Mora denied this.] Angela Repossi stated that she believed that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed went into their shop in Monte Carlo in July 1997 and had wanted to speak to her husband, however neither she nor her husband had been there at the time. Dodi Al Fayed had pointed out a ring in the window to the person in the shop at the time, Lorenzo Cervetti, who had subsequently informed her husband. Angela Repossi believed that Franco Mora’s telephone call was made prior to that visit and that it was Franco Mora who said that Dodi Al Fayed was looking for an engagement ring for the Princess of Wales. Angela Repossi explained that after the ring was chosen it had to be sized and because they did not know the exact size and there was no further news, Alberto Repossi put the ring aside. Then, three or four days prior to 31 August 1997, there was a telephone call from the Ritz Hotel to say that they would be coming to collect the ring on 31 August 1997. Angela Repossi stated that they had to wait for the visit by Dodi Al Fayed in Paris to confirm that it was the correct ring. She explained that the ‘Tell me Yes’ rings were essentially similar but the stone size and carats may vary. Angela Repossi stated that if Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales had showed Lorenzo Cervetti the ring they wanted it would be that very one that would be prepared. Angela Repossi was informed that Franco Mora had no recollection of the telephone call about the ‘Tell me Yes’ collection and that Franco Mora did not recall any contact with Angela Repossi before 30 August 1997. In answer, Angela Repossi stated that she was sure that it was the ring from the ‘Tell me Yes’ collection that was taken by Dodi Al Fayed. Angela Repossi was also informed about the statement from Claude Roulet in which he described attempting to identify a ring seen in the Monte Carlo shop window by Dodi Al Fayed and how no one was able to properly describe it, other than to give its location in the shop window. Angela Repossi stated that she believed her husband was sure which ring it was. Page 53 CHAPTER ONE Angela Repossi confirmed that neither she nor her husband knew the correct ring size. She was not aware of whether Claude Roulet and her husband had discussed the size of the ring. Angela Repossi stated that they were using a standard size ring. Lorenzo Cervetti and Alberto Repossi’s brother Operation Paget has not interviewed these two individuals. b) The events in Repossi Jewellers, Place Vendôme on Saturday 30 August 1997 (including CCTV evidence) This section deals with the events of 30 August 1997 when a ring was selected from Repossi’s at Place Vendôme. The position of Mohamed Al Fayed and Alberto Repossi is that after the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had identified an engagement ring they saw in the Monte Carlo shop, this ring was sent for the correct sizing and preparation. This having been done, it was collected by Dodi Al Fayed from Repossi’s shop in Place Vendôme on 30 August 1997. The witnesses interviewed by Operation Paget, relevant to the events of 30 August 1997 in Repossi, Place Vendôme were Claude Roulet, Emanuele Gobbo, Alberto Repossi and Angela Giove Repossi. An important insight into the events in the Place Vendôme shop was gained by examining the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage from the shop for that day. It should be noted that the CCTV footage was recorded on a split screen system that recorded four images at once and replayed at fast speed. Specialist equipment was needed to isolate the split images and slow the film speed to normal time to properly view the images. Alberto Repossi, during his first interview with Operation Paget on 29 September 2005 stated that there was only one visit to his shop in Place Vendôme on 30 August 1997 when Dodi Al Fayed and Claude Roulet were both present. He stated that this was when the business was conducted after which Dodi Al Fayed left with the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. Operation Paget is in possession of two exhibits showing the CCTV footage at the Place Vendôme shop. Alberto Repossi provided the first CCTV tape on 12 October 2005 after his first interview by Operation Paget. This CCTV tape showed only one visit by Dodi Al Fayed and Claude Roulet to the Place Vendôme shop. (Operation Paget Exhibit PCE/12102005/3) However, Claude Roulet when interviewed was insistent that he had gone back to the Place Vendôme shop on his own, on a second occasion, shortly after his visit with Dodi Al Fayed. Page 54 CHAPTER ONE [Paget Note: It was because of Claude Roulet’s insistence about the existence of a second visit that Operation Paget progressed enquiries to obtain the unedited CCTV tape. This was received from Mohamed Al Fayed’s team on 15 March 2006. (Operation Paget - Exhibit KCR/15) This unedited tape clearly showed the second visit to the shop as described by Claude Roulet.] The CCTV footage from the shop is described in some detail. This is an accurate record, not affected by witness recollection fallibility. The CCTV evidence supports all the summary, comment and conclusions given in this section. CCTV footage synopsis – from Operation Paget - Exhibit MAH/8 The CCTV footage from Repossi Jewellers Place Vendôme. First visit Time in the shop for Dodi Al Fayed: 7 minutes 27 seconds - from 17:43:33 to 17:51:00. 17:32:26 Claude Roulet enters the shop carrying a document, accompanied by bodyguard Kieran Wingfield – they wait for Dodi Al Fayed. 17:43:33 Dodi Al Fayed enters and goes downstairs with Claude Roulet and is greeted by Alberto and Angela Repossi. Kieran Wingfield does not accompany them. Dodi Al Fayed removes his sunglasses and places them on a display table. Other staff members are present and carry selected items of jewellery from display cabinets to display tables in the room. 17:45:00 Angela Repossi stays near to the adjoining office door and then goes into the office. Dodi Al Fayed looks in display cases and various items of jewellery are taken out and placed on the display tables. Claude Roulet and Alberto Repossi are nearby at all times and staff members stand around ready to help. 17:47:57 Dodi Al Fayed points out a number of items on a display table – at this time he seems to discuss with Claude Roulet who is standing next to him. 17:48:41 A brochure is brought to the table by Alberto Repossi and referred to. Page 55 CHAPTER ONE 17:50:20 Dodi Al Fayed shakes hands with Alberto Repossi and a female member of staff, he then takes his sunglasses from the same display table and takes the brochure and leaves. [Paget Note: Dodi Al Fayed was not seen to take any item of jewellery or place anything in his pocket. There was no presentation of an item by Alberto Repossi or any other staff member. All the items viewed were taken from the display cabinets. Dodi Al Fayed was seen shortly afterwards in the Ritz Hotel ascending the main stairway with a brochure.] Claude Roulet remains in the shop for a further 5 minutes 12 seconds until 17:56:12. Claude Roulet stays behind with Alberto Repossi and Angela Repossi immediately joins them. Claude Roulet sits at the display table with the items pointed out by Dodi Al Fayed and seems to be writing. Alberto and Angela Repossi are with him. Alberto Repossi seems to pack the items into a case. 17:55:41 Claude Roulet, who has remained seated throughout, gets up from his seat and leaves. He is not seen to take anything with him other than a document. The items packed by Alberto Repossi remain on the display table. Between visits Time between visits made by Claude Roulet: 36 minutes 4 seconds. Second visit Time in the shop for Claude Roulet: 8 minutes 24 seconds - from 18:32:16 to 18:40:40. 18:32:16 Claude Roulet enters and goes downstairs. Alberto and Angela Repossi are present and both are actively involved in what takes place. 18:32:43 After a discussion between Claude Roulet and Alberto Repossi, Alberto Repossi gets his jewellery case from the office and takes items from it that he shows to Claude Roulet. Angela Repossi gets a brochure and together they discuss something in the brochure. Emanuele Gobbo enters with a book and seems to make a note about the items being shown. Page 56 CHAPTER ONE Angela Repossi then goes into the adjoining office leaving Alberto Repossi to deal with Claude Roulet. 18:35:08 Alberto Repossi speaks to another member of staff who goes upstairs and takes an item from a cabinet and returns. This item is then shown to Claude Roulet. Further discussion takes place between Alberto Repossi and Claude Roulet. 18:35:48 Alberto Repossi then goes into the office for a short time and returns with another item and shows Claude Roulet. 18:36:53 Alberto Repossi then goes back into the office and returns with Angela Repossi who shows Claude Roulet her right hand. It seems something is taken from her hand and then she, Alberto Repossi and Claude Roulet have further discussions looking at this item. 18:37:10 Claude Roulet examines the item and seems to note something on a piece of paper. 18:37:39 Claude Roulet then picks up and closely inspects the item and Alberto Repossi goes into the office briefly and returns with an advertising sheet, which in the presence of Angela Repossi, he shows to Claude Roulet. [Paget Note: This CCTV footage was examined closely by Operation Paget and the advertising sheet they are looking at has been identified as the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ (Tell me Yes) advertisement. (Operation Paget - Exhibit MAH/7.) Emanuele Gobbo enters from the office and he and Claude Roulet are then engaged in writing and dealing with a document that Emanuele Gobbo has brought to the other display table. Claude Roulet then turns back to the first table and makes a further note. 18:38:33 Angela Repossi packs into a bag the items that Claude Roulet has just been viewing and leaves the packed bag on the table next to Claude Roulet. Alberto Repossi makes a note in his diary. Angela Repossi goes back into the office. 18:40:12 Claude Roulet and Alberto Repossi shake hands and Claude Roulet picks up the packed bag and leaves the shop. Page 57 CHAPTER ONE [Paget Note: It was clear from the CCTV footage that it was during this second visit to the shop that Claude Roulet was shown items of jewellery and the ‘Tell me Yes’ advertisement. At the end of this visit Claude Roulet took away the bag packed by Angela Repossi. He was also seen completing paperwork with Emanuele Gobbo and making notes.] End of summary Witness evidence Claude ROULET On 30 August 1997 Claude Roulet, in the absence of Franz Klein, was in charge of the Ritz Hotel. He went to Repossi in Place Vendôme and awaited the arrival of Dodi Al Fayed. He then closely accompanied Dodi Al Fayed whilst he was in the shop and stayed behind after he had left. Claude Roulet revisited the shop shortly afterwards. Claude Roulet was interviewed six times during the French investigation. The only interview relevant to the matter of the ring was by Examining Magistrate Hervé Stéphan on 25 August 1998. French Dossier D5144-D5150 Interviewed by Examining Magistrate Hervé Stéphan on 25 August 1998 ‘…As for their stay at the end of August, I was told in person by Dodi, with whom I often spoke by phone, that he was coming to Paris with his girlfriend. As a precaution he did not mention the Princess by name over the phone. He wanted to go to the Rue Arsène Houssaye as the hotel was full, but I tried to persuade him to go to the Bois de Boulogne as it was much more out of the way and quieter, however he was not keen on that. He told me that he would be coming to the hotel in the afternoon. He also asked me to get Reposi the jeweller’s in Place Vendôme open and to bring over a selection of rings from Monte Carlo. The couple arrived at Le Bourget. Although I was not there, I had made the arrangements for their arrival. They went first of all to the villa in the Bois de Boulogne and then to the Rue Arsène Houssaye and arrived at the Ritz at around 1645 hrs. I greeted them at the front door to the club in the Rue Cambon and I accompanied them to the Imperial Suite, which had been set aside for them. I had booked a hairdresser for the Princess. Meanwhile, Dodi came to see me in order to arrange his visit to the jeweller’s. Kess [sic] Wingfield and I went to the jeweller’s on foot and Dodi, who was meant to be travelling by car, came on foot. He chose four or five rings. I signed the receipts while he left with the two bodyguards and I myself took the rings to the hotel. At Dodi’s request I returned to the jeweller’s to negotiate a discount. The jeweller showed me a final ring called “Say yes” [TN : literally, “Tell me yes”], which Dodi selected. I put the jewels into the hotel safe.’ Page 58 CHAPTER ONE Interviewed by Operation Paget in Paris - Statement 136, dated 8 March 2005 ‘So in the afternoon of 30 August 1997 Dodi went with me to Reposi’s where he made a choice of four to six rings, he returned to the hotel then he asked me to go back there and negotiate a reduction. There I saw Mrs Reposi who showed me a ring from a new collection entitled “tell me yes”, which I brought back to the hotel and which I showed to Dodi, telling him that it was called “tell me yes”. Dodi immediately said, “that’s the one I have chosen and put the others in the safe.” He then kept that ring, leaving it up to me to settle the formalities with the jeweller.’ ‘Question: “Was there a conversation regarding that ring between Dodi Al Fayed and his father Mohamed Al Fayed, or between yourself and his father?” Answer: “Mr Mohamed Al Fayed had actually indicated to me a few days previously that Dodi intended to buy a ring at Reposi’s for the Princess, so I think that Dodi had spoken to him about it. But regarding the “tell me yes” ring, I did not mention it to Mohamed Al Fayed and I do not know whether Dodi had mentioned it to him.” Question: “Did the purchase of that ring suggest to you a planned engagement?” Answer: “Yes, although officially nothing had been settled as far as I know.” ’ Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136A, dated 20 October 2005 ‘When we got the exact details of Dodi’s and Diana’s visit to Paris, Mr Mora phoned Mr Repossi to tell him that they would be calling in at his shop on 30 August, but we could not give him a time. Referring to a time after the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had arrived at the Ritz Hotel, Claude Roulet stated: … I asked Dodi what time they would be going to Repossi’s and he told me that he would let me know later. Later on, Dodi asked me for a hairdresser for the Princess. I think that Mr Mora called me to tell me that Mr Repossi was waiting for us in the shop. I called Dodi again to ask him at what time they would be going to the shop. He again told me to wait. I met Trevor and Kes, Dodi’s bodyguards, who asked me where the Repossi boutique was. They talked about security. Later on, Dodi informed me that he would be going without the Princess, and a time was agreed. The bodyguards decided that I would go on ahead with Kes. We left the hotel via the main entrance, but instead of going straight to the shop, we went around the square by the left to see if we would be followed by the press. We then went to wait for Dodi in the shop, just beyond the front door. There was a security guard, Mr and Mrs Repossi, and one of their sales assistants, Mr Gobbo, a former floor assistant from The Ritz. Page 59 CHAPTER ONE One or two minutes later, Dodi arrived with Trevor. I think it was around 1600 hrs. Mr and Mrs Repossi, Mr Gobbo, Dodi and I went downstairs. Trevor and Kes stayed upstairs. Once again, Dodi tried to describe to us what the ring was like. They got lots of rings out, but they did not look like the one that Dodi wanted. Mrs Repossi went to and fro with the various rings. The sales staff tried to persuade Dodi to choose one ring or another. Dodi sorted the rings and chose four or five that they agreed to make available to him so that he could make a choice. Dodi was not satisfied with these rings, but he took them because they were all they had. He did not say why he wanted the ring to the Repossis. He then told me to sign the docket. Dodi went back upstairs to leave with Trevor and Kes.’ ‘You ask me if Dodi was carrying a bag. From memory, he was not. You ask me if Dodi spoke to the Repossis in French or English. I do not remember, but Dodi did speak fluent French. I signed the docket and I returned to the hotel with the rings in a small light-coloured Repossi bag made of thick paper, with each ring in a box. I brought them to Dodi, to the entrance in room 102 of the Imperial Suite. I did not see the Princess. Dodi spoke quietly to me and asked me if I had negotiated a price on the rings in general. There is a business association called the Comite Vendome, and within this association there is an arrangment whereby the businesses give each other 10% discount on services and sometimes on goods. I told him that I had not negotiated anything. I then returned to the boutique at around 1645hrs. Downstairs, I saw Mrs Repossi and Mr Gobbo. I asked them for a reduction. They gave me a reduction of 10 to 12%. Mrs Repossi then said to me that they could have shown Dodi another ring from the “Tell me yes” range, which was due to be launched in September 1997. Mrs Repossi had this ring on her hand. She took it off and cleaned it before giving it to me. The price of this ring was significantly lower than the other rings. I said to myself that this ring was more in keeping with what Dodi was looking for in giving this present. I therefore returned to the hotel with the ring and with a piece of paper with the reductions on it. I went to room 102. I remained outside. He signalled to me to talk quietly. I told him that they had forgotten to show him a ring called “Tell me yes”. Without seeing it, he immediately told me that he would take that ring, and he gave the others back to me. I asked him if he was going to present the ring that evening and he replied: “Perhaps this evening, or tomorrow”. I went to the Repossi boutique, which was closed. I therefore went back to the hotel, where I put the rings in the hotel safe. Mr Gobbo came and collected them a few days later. I did not discuss the rings with anyone that evening. Page 60 CHAPTER ONE You have read me the third page and the first paragraph of the fourth page of Mr Repossi’s statement of 29 September 2005. [Paget Note: This details Alberto Repossi’s account of what happened in the shop] I wonder why Mr Repossi gives this account of events. I think I still have at home the piece of paper with the prices of the different rings selected by Dodi and the document giving the reductions offered by Mr Repossi and I will try to find them for you. I also know that a few days after the accident, Mr Repossi started giving different accounts of the events…’ Claude Roulet was then shown the CCTV footage from the Place Vendôme. This was the edited version showing only the first visit. At that time it was the only version in the possession of Operation Paget. Claude Roulet then stated: ‘You have shown me a short film from Repossi jewellers, a copy of exhibit PCE/12102005/3. I confirm that this was my first visit to Repossi’s jewellers in the Place Vendôme on 30 August 1997 together with Dodi Al Fayed. This film corroborates what I have just described to you, but if you had the whole, unedited film, it would show that I did come back a bit later, when I was given the “Tell me yes” ring. And moreover, the still from the CCTV of the revolving door at the Ritz Hotel at 18:40:01 shows my second return from Repossi’s, carrying a bag containing the “Tell me yes” ring. I acknowledge that I was mistaken about the times I gave you. …On 31 August 1997, Mr Mohamed Al Fayed asked me where the ring was. I told him that I didn’t know, and it was found in the apartment in the rue Arsène Houssaye by Rene Delorme, Dodi’s maître d’hôtel. I know that Mr Mohamed Al Fayed had the ring paid for, but I do not who by.’ Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136B, dated 18 January 2006 ‘You have shown me the short film from Repossi jewellers, copy of exhibit PCE/12102005/3 which you previously showed me on my first visit to London and which has now been separated to show just one camera at a time. The quality of the images is not very good. However, camera 3 does enable me to identify the following persons: • Mr Repossi • Mrs Repossi, who is wearing a light coloured trouser suit and has long dark hair • Mr Gobbo, a sales assistant, dressed all in black • There is a female sales assistant, whose name I do not know Page 61 CHAPTER ONE On viewing the recording from camera no 3, I am next to Dodi Al Fayed when he arrives in the basement of the jewellers. It is clear from this recording, and I also remember this, that during this particular visit to the jewellers numerous rings [Paget Note: Claude Roulet in his next statement 136C corrected this sentence to include watches and bracelets] were shown to Mr Al Fayed. I remember that at the time, Mr and Mrs Repossi were looking for items that Dodi Al Fayed might like. Dodi Al Fayed was looking for the ring that he had seen with Diana, Princess of Wales, in Monte Carlo, but despite the best efforts of Mr and Mrs Repossi, they could not identify it. After a while Dodi Al Fayed chose a few pieces that he took with him [Paget Note: This was not correct – Dodi Al Fayed did not take anything with him. This was corrected in his next statement 136C] and I stayed behind to sign the receipts with Mr and Mrs Repossi, and Mr Gobbo, who filled out the forms. As I told you during my first visit to London, this recording does not show my second visit to the jewellers, when I negotiated a price for the items chosen by Dodi Al Fayed and when Mrs Repossi showed me the ring she was wearing from the future “Tell me yes” range, and which Dodi Al Fayed subsequently chose for the Princess. I can only sumerise as to the reason for this recording being missing. I do not understand why this second part of the recording was not shown to you.’ Claude Roulet then formally produced in evidence a number of relevant documents that he had brought with him. Relevant here are: ‘Exhibit CR/3 relates to the original of your exhibit PCE/21102005/7 and is a note on Paris Ritz paper on which I have written the price of the “Tell me yes” ring on 30 August 1997 for Dodi AL FAYED. …This document was an aide-memoire, which I read to Dodi Al Fayed when I gave him the “Tell me yes” ring.’ ‘Exhibit CR/5 is the original carbon copy of the bill which I produced to you as exhibit CR/4. This document must have been given to me on 3 September 1997 when Mr Gobbo came to the Ritz Hotel to collect the items of jewellery signed over on 30 August 1997. Apart from receipt no 01554, there was a previous one on which was written all the items that had been originally selected and then returned to Mr Gobbo. A list of these items can be found at exhibit CR/1 which I produced to you, on the back of Mr Mora’s fax. It was during my second visit to Repossi the jewellers that Mr Gobbo added the ‘Engagement ring gold diamond brilliants TE & triangular, ‘Tell me yes’ ring’ on the receipt the carbon copy of which I produce to you.’ Page 62 CHAPTER ONE Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136C, 11 July 2006 ‘You have shown me le footage of Repossi jewellers that you showed me in my previous visits to London. I confirm that on 30th August 1997, Dodi Al Fayed attends the Repossi store in Place Vendome, because he is looking for a ring which he saw during a visit to Monte Carlo. I confirm that he did not pre-order anything. Once at the store, he is looking for the ring which he saw in the window of the Repossi boutique in Monte Carlo, but he does not find it and he is very disappointed. In the security video, Dodi Al Fayed can be seen talking to me. He is telling me how he feels. He is disappointed that he is unable to find the item he is looking for and disappointed of the items he is being shown. He asks my opinion on how the items are that Mr Repossi and his entourage are showing him…You can observe Mr Dodi Al Fayed separating items he likes and those he dislikes on a table (Camera 3). It was also important for me to know the prices of the items, because I was to inform Dodi Al Fayed’s father Mr Mohamed Al Fayed of his spending. In the end, Dodi Al Fayed leaves the store without taking anything, other than a Repossi brochure that had been given to him. In the past, my recollection was that Dodi Al Fayed had taken some items away, but having seen the CCTV footage another time, it has refreshed my memory and I can confirm that he did not take anything. You have asked me if Dodi Al Fayed had met Mr Repossi in the past. I do not think so. When Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales saw the ring that they liked in Monte Carlo, Mr Repossi was not there, but it is possible that Dodi Al Fayed had met Mr Repossi during the St Nicholas at the Ritz in December 1996, when Dodi was in company of an American Miss Kelly Fisher. What is certain, having seen this video of Dodi Al Fayed’s visit to the store again, is that neither Dodi Al Fayed or I took any jewellery whatsoever on leaving the store at the end of the first visit. This short video has refreshed my memory and I must amend what I said in my previous statements.’ The CCTV footage of Claude Roulet’s second visit to the shop was now in the possession of Operation Paget and was therefore shown to him. He continued: ‘You have shown me a video from Repossi jewellers that you had not shown me when I was last in London ; this one shows the second visit to the store, this time without Dodi Al Fayed. This is the visit that I told you about during my last visits to London. Page 63 CHAPTER ONE You have asked me why I went to the store for a second time. This was in fact to negotiate a price for Dodi Al Fayed, on the items of jewellery he had chosen during his first visit. I also had to know if Dodi Al Fayed could pay for these with an American or British credit card. Dodi Al Fayed did not like the items of jewellery that he had seen, but wanted a gift for the Princess of Wales and maybe wanted to show them all to her so she could make a choice. From memory, I had to collect these items of jewellery. At 6.33pm (Camera 3), you can see Mr Repossi showing me certain items of jewellery, placed together on the table, some of which were chosen by Dodi Al Fayed during his visit. Mrs Repossi, who is also there, shows me a Repossi brochure. At 6.37pm, Mrs Repossi removes a ring called “Tell me yes” from her hand. After cleaning it, she places it on the table. I take the ring to have a look at it, place it back on the table and make a note of it. You can see Mr Repossi showing me an advert for the ring “Tell me yes”, I remember this. It is at that time that Mr Repossi informs me that the ring is called “Tell me yes”, it is the first time that I heard talk of this ring or the name of this ring. Mr Repossi informs me that it is the “Tell me yes” collection that is due to be launched in September. On seeing the ring, I remember thinking that Dodi Al Fayed would prefer it to the items of jewellery that had already been shown to him. This ring had not been shown to Dodi Al Fayed during his visit to the store. You have asked me if I believe that I had already seen the “Tell me yes” ring, and that Mrs Repossi only put it on her hand to show it to me or whether I believe she was already wearing it. I am certain that she had it on her finger, and that I had not seen it before. Mr Gobbo wrote the chits that he asked me to sign. At 6.38pm, in the video, you can see me signing, Mr Gobbo turns the page and I sign again. I can confirm that there wasn’t only chit No 01554 that I handed to you as exhibit CR/5 during a previous visit. There were two or more chits, and this video shows. At 6.39pm, Mr Repossi gives me the price for the “Tell me yes” ring and I make a note of it. Watching the video of this second visit, I believe that I wrote the price of the “Tell me yes” ring on a Ritz headed note paper. Mr Gobbo places the chits in an envelope which he places on the table next to me. Mr Gobbo had already written the chits, he simply added the “Tell me yes” ring, writing “bague ‘FIANCAILLES’” [Paget Note: Engagement ring]. You can see from a slight difference in his handwriting. What I do not understand is why Mr Gobbo .wrote “bague ‘FIANCAILLES’” and not “Tell me yes” ring. At 6.40pm, I leave the store with a Repossi bag containing the items of jewellery chosen and the “Tell me yes” ring. You have asked me again if this was the first time that I saw the “Tell me yes” ring. It was the first time, and the first time that Dodi Al Fayed saw it was when I took it up to the Imperial Suite at the Ritz hotel.’ Page 64 CHAPTER ONE Alberto REPOSSI Jeweller and joint owner of Repossi. In relation to the events in his Place Vendôme shop on 30 August 1997, Alberto Repossi was unable to deal definitively with the following points. The CCTV evidence did not assist him in clarifying these: • Where the presentation of a prepared engagement ring took place • His recollection about Dodi Al Fayed leaving with any jewellery • That Dodi Al Fayed was never shown or presented with the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring in the shop • Why it was that the first appearance of the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring was when it was shown to Claude Roulet alone • That it was Claude Roulet who selected the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring on 30 August 1997 • Why he had no memory of the second visit to his shop and why his stated recollection of the events of 30 August 1997 were so completely contrary to the apparent facts Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 176 – dated 29 September 2005 ‘This year we had put forward the closure of the Paris shop for the summer holidays, but given the importance of the person concerned, we were going to open up for them, and I was going to be there myself. I went to Paris on 30 August. We had an appointment for 15h00 in our shop, 6 Place Vendôme, which we had opened specially, with all the staff. It was a hectic day. Later I was told it was 16h00. At 16h30 I was told to go to the Hôtel Ritz for 17h00. We prepared everything. As the Princess was an important celebrity, I had prepared a slightly larger ring, a ring which wasn’t in Monaco on the day of their visit. Finally, the appointment at the Ritz was cancelled and M. Dodi Al Fayed came alone, without the Princess, at 18h00. …At about 17h30 M. Roulet and the bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones arrived and waited for M. Al Fayed inside the shop, near the entrance door. M. Dodi Al Fayed arrived. I saw later on the shop video that the bodyguard had gone outside. M. Roulet and M. Al Fayed went downstairs into a more private part of the shop. It wasn’t the first time that I had met M. Al Fayed. I greeted him. He spoke French well. Then I showed him the ring which he had chosen. We laughed about the name of the ring, “Say Yes”. I also suggested to him and showed him the same ring but one larger and more impressive, saying to him that it was a better proportion for Princess Diana. He said to me “I’ll take the smaller one, and give the second one to M. Roulet”, who was also there. He thanked me for opening the shop for him. He told me that he liked the ring very much and that it was “to announce the engagement with Princess Diana”. Page 65 CHAPTER ONE M. Roulet was next to him, so I think he said that to me in French, but I can’t be sure. Also with us was one of my collaborators, M. Emanuele Gobbo, who is still working for me. It was a very important secret. I didn’t ask if they were already engaged. It wasn’t my place. Perhaps he told me all this because I had opened the shop especially for him. He closed the box in which the ring was placed and he put it in his pocket. I accompanied him to the door and he went out. There were no negotiation on the sale price. He didn’t ask me the price of the ring. He was in the shop perhaps three minutes. You ask me if I remember if Dodi Al Fayed was carrying something as he went out of the shop. I don’t remember. We usually give a small bag in which to put the presentation box, but he put the ring in his pocket. I think in his jacket pocket. Afterwards I went back down to see M. Roulet who was doing the paperwork. We wrote out the paperwork and he signed the receipt for the two rings which I had entrusted to them and he took the second ring, the larger one, with him. We spoke too about how very honoured we were and how very happy about what had happened and we were really very excited. And he went outside. We said we would telephone each other, mainly because the Princess had seen in a jewellery display window that I have in the Hôtel Ritz lobby a set of bracelets that she wanted, and she also wanted something she already had to be restyled and made more modern. We therefore wanted to make an appointment for the week after, definitely in Paris. I remember very well because I was very happy about it. M. Roulet left. He must stayed in the shop for five minutes. My wife was on the first floor of the shop and did not take part in either this exchange or in these conversations. She didn’t personally see either M. Al Fayed or M. Roulet that day. About ten minutes later, we took a car to go to the airport and we went back to Nice. The rest of the staff had to stay in the shop to close everything up, but we didn’t have any other appointments that day and the shop didn’t have to stay open. M. Dodi Al Fayed and M Roulet came only once, on that day.’ Operation Paget - Exhibit TJS/37 – TJS/43 Audio tape-recorded witness interview by Operation Paget on 20 April 2006 [Paget Note: This interview was conducted in French although Alberto Repossi often replied in English.] Page 66 CHAPTER ONE Summary of relevant parts of the interview Alberto Repossi stated that he arrived with his wife and brother-in-law and re-stocked the Place Vendôme shop on Saturday 30 August 1997. They had travelled from Monaco. The ring that was in the workshop went firstly to Monaco and Alberto Repossi brought it with all the other jewellery. Alberto Repossi was then shown the CCTV footage of the first visit to the shop. Whilst watching the video Alberto Repossi gave a commentary about what was happening. He accepted that his wife was present in the shop and added ‘No, when I showed her the statement, she said no I was there, don’t you remember’. He also stated in relation to another staff member in the shop, ‘I didn’t even remember the press attaché’. When Dodi Al Fayed entered the shop and was shown items of jewellery, Alberto Repossi stated, ‘I come out of the office and I want to greet him, show to him some other items that the Princess had seen in the display window at the Ritz and that we were meant to be showing to the Princess the next week. We were meant to make an appointment’. He stated that he showed items to Dodi Al Fayed that he thought may be of interest to the Princess of Wales and thought that at one time he may have been showing the bigger, more embellished ring that he had brought with him. When Dodi Al Fayed was seen on the tape to be leaving the shop, Alberto Repossi with reference to the ring stated, ‘In principle he decided he was, he spoke to Mr Roulet. What he was supposed to have taken, I remember him taking and putting it in his pocket.’ Operation Paget Comment The CCTV showed Dodi Al Fayed in the shop for approximately seven and a half minutes and when he left it appeared on initial viewing that he picked something up. After closer viewing, it was clear that the item he picked up was in fact his own sunglasses. He did not take any jewellery with him but could be seen carrying a Repossi brochure. Interview summary continued Claude Roulet is seen to stay behind. Alberto Repossi stated, ‘He sat down to do the paperwork, for the receipts, for the consignment. In principle we were to give Mr Roulet the second ring…’. Asked what was taken away, Alberto Repossi stated, ‘In principle what was on the paper, in principle it was the second ring and we marked the two, the one that Mr Al Fayed took, and Mr Roulet, or perhaps Mr Roulet took both, I don’t remember. I always had the impression that he took it and put it in his pocket and left’. Page 67 CHAPTER ONE Claude Roulet is seen to leave the shop at 17:56:12. Alberto Repossi then discussed the details of a receipt provided to Operation Paget showing two rings, one called ‘Etoile’, which he claimed was the more embellished ring and one referred to as ‘Bague Fiançaille’ (engagement ring) which Alberto Repossi stated was the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. [Paget Note: There was no reference on the receipt to the name ‘Tell me Yes’] (Operation Paget Exhibit PCE/12102005/2). Alberto Repossi did not believe that any other items of jewellery were taken away or that any other receipts were signed. Alberto Repossi was asked if he recalled Claude Roulet’s second visit to the shop. He did not. He was then shown the CCTV footage of Claude Roulet’s second visit to the shop. He provided a commentary. Claude Roulet is seen to enter at 18:32:16 according to the CCTV footage. Alberto Repossi stated, ‘Maybe he want other things because he don’t come back to take. I’m for some items that I was probably taking back to Monaco. And we’re looking at something there’. Although watching the CCTV footage Alberto Repossi stated that he was still unable to actually remember the second visit. Alberto Repossi was shown the footage where he and his wife were present with Claude Roulet and where Angela Repossi appeared to remove a ring from her finger and present it to Claude Roulet. Claude Roulet’s account of this, i.e. that she removed the ring on her finger and gave it to him, was put to Alberto Repossi. As he watched the footage Alberto Repossi stated, ‘He’s in the process of taking it…He’s taken it. He puts it to one side and then he starts writing. Or perhaps he did that diagram there, that drawing.’ It was confirmed to Alberto Repossi that Claude Roulet agreed that he was making the diagram. [Paget Note: The diagram is that of an oblong shape with a triangle on each side – representative of the shape of the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring.] He continued, ‘Perhaps he took it at that moment…He continues to look. Roulet continues to look into the box. We’re also showing him some catalogue..’ Alberto Repossi continued to watch the CCTV footage and stated, ‘Is my wife in the process of making up a package? Yes. She puts it into a bag. Bags…Little bag. And perhaps we give it to Monsieur Roulet. He’s making a note. Because he’s looking Mr Gobbo with the receipt.’ Alberto Repossi stated that it was unbelievable and that he did not remember it at all. Page 68 CHAPTER ONE Alberto Repossi suggested that the CCTV might have been showing Claude Roulet receiving the second ring, as he still thought he remembered that Dodi Al Fayed put the smaller ring in his pocket. Alberto Repossi then stated, ‘My recollection was that Mr Dodi Al Fayed took the smaller ring. We wanted to give him a bag, as usual and he said no, no, and he took it and left and my recollection we did the paperwork afterwards. And certainly when he came back after speaking with Mr Dodi Al Fayed and having, about whether he was gonna take the second ring or not and having a bit more time. That’s what I remembered’. A discussion then took place regarding the receipt for two rings and the invoice and other issues including the pre-selection of the ring. Although his position was that Dodi Al Fayed had been able to be specific about which ring he and the Princess of Wales had wanted, Alberto Repossi stated that he did not think that Dodi Al Fayed knew the name ‘Tell me Yes’ before he saw him in the Place Vendôme shop on 30 August 1997, because he remembered joking with him about the name: ‘Maybe because, why we joke at the store in Paris about the name and I said, it’s called ‘Tell me yes’…sure but I talk with him about in Paris and I can’t say that he knew this before because when I saw him I said to him, you know this is from the ‘Tell me yes’ collection and then we had a laugh. When I met Monsieur Al Fayed, apart from the two rings that I showed him we didn’t have any incredible conversations, I showed him this and that, I threw in this ‘Tell me yes’ aspect to, to enliven the atmosphere slightly, to throw in a bit of atmosphere. In the Place Vendome. This is I remember hundred percent. And maybe I was on thinking that they know before, but it’s very, and I think he said to me that they also saw the publicity, advertising.’ Operation Paget - Other Document 494 Alberto Repossi interview to camera with Daphne Barak 14 June 2006 [Paget Note: Alberto Repossi is Italian. His first language is not English (although he speaks English) and this should be borne in mind when reading transcripts of his interview.] Alberto Repossi: “…It was a tell me yes collection. That was an engagement collection. So, I don’t know if was the case or not, in any way, she choice this ring. And I remember that I joke about this with Dodi Al Fayed, about the name. And one advertisement campaign was already on the news, on the magazine. So, in this case, Mr Dodi Al Fayed take the choice of ring, and put it on…” Daphne Barak: “Both rings?” Page 69 CHAPTER ONE Alberto Repossi: “No. Take just one” Daphne Barak: “One of them?” Alberto Repossi: “One that they seen in Monte Carlo, he put on the pocket and left. And the secretary [Claude Roulet] stayed there for the paper.” Interviewed by Operation Paget on 5 July 2006 - Other Document 526 During this interview notes were taken contemporaneously. Summary The inconsistencies with his own account and that of the other witnesses and the CCTV were explained to Alberto Repossi. Alberto Repossi was unable to give any definitive explanation for the discrepancies. It was pointed out that from the shop CCTV it was very clear that Alberto Repossi did not present Dodi Al Fayed with two rings. Alberto Repossi asked whether he had presented just one ring. He was told that he had not and asked to see the CCTV footage again. Alberto Repossi was told that all Dodi Al Fayed had left the shop with was a Repossi brochure but he doubted this. He was then shown the brochure taken by Dodi Al Fayed (Operation Paget Exhibit CR/9) at which point he said, ‘Oh my god, I’m going crazy. ’ He said, ‘After this I doubt on my memory’. Asked if he agreed that he had got some of the information wrong, Alberto Repossi answered that he had his doubts on the information he had relayed. Alberto Repossi was shown the CCTV footage again. He was asked if he accepted that on the first visit nothing was given to Dodi Al Fayed. He replied ‘No. Yes. No doubt he takes his sunglasses and leaves. But he does not take a ring. I thought I saw him take something when I saw my copy of the CCTV video and I thought it was a ring’. Asked if he could remember without the aid of the video he replied, ‘In my mind he took something. The appointment was for the delivery of a ring and to view things that he had seen in the window. And I thought it was the Paris window, but it could be Monte Carlo. It’s a big thing in my story because…I don’t remember nothing. No I accept that both rings were given to Roulet on the second visit. A brochure was given to Dodi Al Fayed on the first visit. The ‘Tell me yes’ ring was given to Roulet on the second visit’. Page 70 CHAPTER ONE Asked if he accepted that his wife took the ring from her finger he replied, ‘No. I must have asked her to put it on her finger to show the client. But I’m surprised I did it for Roulet’. Asked if he accepted that Dodi Al Fayed was not presented a particular ‘Tell me Yes’ ring he said, ‘For me, the ring was already dealt with. I pushed for the bigger ring and I showed bangles etc., for the next appointment with the Princess of Wales’. He was asked, ‘So you didn’t show him the ring prepared in Turin?’ to which he replied, ‘In my mind, there were two rings on the table. I tried to give him the second ring and he kept the first, but having seen the video, maybe I take it from the window and show him rings. I don’t know’. It was put to Alberto Repossi that Claude Roulet claimed it was on his second visit to the shop that he saw the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring for the first time and also the first time that he saw the advert for the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. He stated, ‘If he is telling you this, maybe he’s telling the truth.’ He was asked why the ring would be on display if it was pre-prepared to which he replied, ‘At the moment I am not sure of anything.’ Emanuele GOBBO A sales assistant for Repossi since April 1994, working mainly in the Place Vendôme shop. He had previously worked for the Ritz Hotel, Paris. He was present in the shop on 30 August 1997 and is still employed by Repossi. Operation Paget - Other Document 344 Audio tape-recorded witness interview by Operation Paget on 23 May 2006 Summary of relevant parts of the interview During the interview the CCTV footage for both visits to Repossi were shown to Emanuele Gobbo. Emanuele Gobbo stated that he had been on holiday throughout August and had returned to Paris shortly before the end of the month. He received a telephone call from Alberto Repossi on Friday 29 August 1997 requesting that he assist the following day as the Paris shop was to be opened early. On the Saturday morning whilst at the shop, Emanuele Gobbo learned that the client they were opening up for was Dodi Al Fayed who was coming in to choose some jewellery. He detailed those present working in the shop and described how Claude Roulet and a bodyguard came to the shop followed by Dodi Al Fayed. Page 71 CHAPTER ONE He then described how in the lower showroom Dodi Al Fayed was shown items of jewellery from the displays. He assisted in bringing items to show and was in the showroom intermittently as a result of fetching items and doing other duties. He stated that the items shown were mainly rings. Emanuele Gobbo was not aware of any previous visit to the Monte Carlo shop and neither Alberto Repossi nor any of the other staff had made mention of such a visit. He did not know of any pre-selected order from Monte Carlo. However, Dodi Al Fayed was shown a selection of jewellery brought to the shop from the Monte Carlo shop especially for him to see. He was not aware of the Repossi factory being opened during the August holiday period to enable any ring to be prepared for this visit. Emanuele Gobbo stated that he believed that Dodi Al Fayed was looking for an engagement ring. This was not said at all but it was his impression. Emanuele Gobbo stated that whilst Dodi Al Fayed was present there was no mention of the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. He also stated that there was no presentation of a specially ordered ring. Emanuele Gobbo explained that if an order was made, a file would be opened and if it was for a ring the most important thing to know was firstly the ring size. When asked to explain how the ring size was decided upon for the ring that was selected, he said he did not know. He did not know any specific size for this ring. He stated that the rings were always made in the factory to a standard ring size, that being 53/54. Emanuele Gobbo stated that at the end of the first visit neither Dodi Al Fayed nor Claude Roulet left with any items of jewellery. Emanuele Gobbo stated that it was at the end of second visit by Claude Roulet alone that Claude Roulet left with the two rings, signed for on the receipt that Emanuele Gobbo himself completed. During the second visit he was in the showroom only intermittently and not when the rings were being shown. He was able to confirm that Angela Repossi packed the two items into a bag and gave them to Claude Roulet. He confirmed that the ring he described on the receipt as an engagement ring was the ring now in the possession of Mohamed Al Fayed. He accepted that he did not at the time describe this as a ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. He stated that on 3 September 1997 he collected from the Ritz Hotel the ring that had not been chosen by Dodi Al Fayed, i.e. the larger ‘Etoile’ ring. He also explained that in his view ‘Etoile’ and ‘Tell me Yes’ are the same range of rings. Page 72 CHAPTER ONE Emanuele Gobbo stated the he thought at one time that he had delivered some of the rings to the Ritz Hotel but he now thought he was confusing this with the fact that he collected the remaining ring on the 3 September 1997. Emanuele Gobbo explained the system of documenting the movement of rings and other items of jewellery in the official police book and how items were accounted for using receipts. Angela Giove Repossi Present in the Place Vendôme shop on 30 August 1997. Operation Paget - Other Document 321 Audio tape-recorded witness interview by Operation Paget on 20 April 2006 Summary of relevant parts of the interview Angela Repossi stated that initially there was an appointment for 3pm however, it kept being put back. At around 5pm Dodi Al Fayed arrived. Angela Repossi could see them from the camera in the office. Claude Roulet and Dodi Al Fayed went downstairs and Trevor Rees-Jones remained upstairs. [Paget Note: This was in fact Kieran Wingfield] It all happened very quickly because Alberto Repossi provided two rings saying that he had taken the liberty of also providing a slightly bigger ring to give the Princess of Wales a choice. Angela Repossi was not involved in the conversation and remained in the office while her husband dealt with Dodi Al Fayed but she could see what was happening on the CCTV. She stated that Dodi Al Fayed did not tell her the reason for the purchase when he visited the shop on 30 August 1997. She stated that her husband did not show Dodi Al Fayed any other rings; it was all over in five minutes or less, because they were in a hurry. Angela Repossi explained that they used a standard size because all or almost all Repossi rings have a spring in them. Alberto Repossi had therefore asked the workshop to do a standard size. This was given to Dodi Al Fayed and he put it in his pocket and left. Angela Repossi thought that they did a standard size for her because the Princess of Wales had slim hands. With the spring it was easy to get the rings on. Angela Repossi was shown photographs of the ring in possession of Mohamed Al Fayed and stated that she recognised it as the one that was purchased on 31 [sic] August 1997. Angela Repossi restated that Dodi Al Fayed put the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring in his pocket and Claude Roulet took the other one. Angela Repossi described the second ring as ‘more classical, a bit bigger, broad…another model.’ She stated that a receipt was made out, Claude Roulet took the other ring and left. Page 73 CHAPTER ONE Angela Repossi stated that she did not know why Dodi Al Fayed gave the other ring to Claude Roulet, other than he did not want to carry two rings or perhaps because his mind was already made up, but he took both so that the Princess of Wales could choose. The CCTV footage of the first visit to the Place Vendôme shop was shown to Angela Repossi. Angela Repossi identified the people in the shop and gave a commentary on what she saw. She stated that Dodi Al Fayed had taken the ring and left the shop while Claude Roulet waited to take the second ring. Claude Roulet waited for the receipt to be made out for both rings. She pointed out another box that she stated Claude Roulet would take with him. [Paget Note: He did not take anything with him.] Angela Repossi stated that this lasted eight minutes or less, five even. She stated that it was Alberto Repossi and Emanuele Gobbo who dealt with the receipts. Angela Repossi was informed that the CCTV footage did not appear to show the presentation or collection of a ring selected in Monte Carlo, rather that a number of rings were shown. She replied that you could not see what was on the tray, perhaps it was just two rings, the one selected and the one shown on Alberto Repossi’s own initiative, but Dodi Al Fayed ended up taking the one he had already chosen. Angela Repossi accepted that the name ‘Tell me Yes’ did not appear on the list that Claude Roulet wrote. She stated that he wrote ‘Etoile’ [Translation: Star] instead but that it was the same ring, as the drawing [on the list] showed. Angela Repossi confirmed that the star ring was the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. She then stated that Dodi Al Fayed was shown three rings, two in addition to the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring but that only two were taken, the ‘Tell me Yes’ by Dodi Al Fayed and other one by Claude Roulet, as recorded in the paperwork. The CCTV footage showing the second visit was then shown to Angela Repossi. Claude Roulet was seen returning and going downstairs where he talked to Alberto Repossi. Angela Repossi stated that she had no recollection of this second visit. Angela Repossi was then shown CCTV footage of herself at a display table with Alberto Repossi and Claude Roulet, with Alberto Repossi apparently removing from her hand the ring that was given to Claude Roulet [Paget Note: As described by Claude Roulet]. Angela Repossi disagreed, stating that she did not see that and that perhaps she was trying on a ring to show it to Claude Roulet. Angela Repossi was asked for her views having seen the CCTV of both visits. She stated that two rings were taken, one was not returned and this was paid for. Asked during which visit she thought the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring was taken away, she stated that she thought Dodi Al Fayed would have taken it with him, or that perhaps Claude Roulet contacted Mohamed Al Fayed before returning to take the two rings but she had no recollection of Claude Roulet having returned. Page 74 CHAPTER ONE Angela Repossi stated that, having seen the CCTV, she now felt that Claude Roulet may have taken both when he came back. c) Operation Paget summary and comment. In relation to the events prior to Saturday 30 August 1997 There were inconsistencies in many areas. Timing Mohamed Al Fayed suggests that the ring was seen on the second cruise; ‘I turn now to the events immediately leading up to the crash. In August 1997 Dodi and Diana travelled to Sardinia where they joined my yacht, the Jonikal, and cruised the Mediterranean. It was during this trip that Dodi and Princess Diana met Alberto Repossi, a jeweller, in Monte Carlo and selected an engagement ring’. This therefore would suggest 23 August 1997. The evidence of Claude Roulet and Franco Mora indicated the 23 August date. Franz Klein’s evidence was inconclusive. Alberto Repossi and Angela Giove Repossi stated that the date was much earlier. Alberto Repossi stated that it was early August, whilst Angela Repossi stated that it was in the middle of July. The evidence of René Delorm indicated the 5 August date. The evidence of the bodyguards on both cruises clearly stated that Repossi jewellers were not entered on either visit to Monte Carlo. In relation to their evidence, it must be accepted that the Dodi Al Fayed and/or the Princess of Wales may have identified something in a shop window without their knowledge. Selecting a ring Mohamed Al Fayed claimed that the couple went into the Monte Carlo shop and met Alberto Repossi and together selected a ring. Alberto Repossi denied being present in the shop and Angela Repossi corroborated her husband. Alberto Repossi claimed the couple went into his shop and were dealt with by Lorenzo Cervetti. René Delorm stated that they entered a jeweller’s during the first cruise. The bodyguards present during both visits stated that the couple never entered any jewellers shop in Monte Carlo. The evidence of Claude Roulet and Franco Mora indicated only that an item of jewellery was seen in the window. Page 75 CHAPTER ONE Identifying the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring Alberto Repossi stated that Franco Mora identified the ring as a ‘Tell me Yes’ ring to him. Franco Mora had no recollection of this, stating that he had never heard of the name of the ring until after the crash. Claude Roulet never knew of the name until 30 August 1997. Angela Repossi thought it was her husband who identified the ring. Ring sizing Alberto Repossi stated that Claude Roulet told him the ring size. Claude Roulet denied this stating that he has never known the ring size. Angela Repossi stated that they have never known the ring size and that they used a standard size ring. Information about proposed engagement. Alberto Repossi stated that he was told by Claude Roulet and Franco Mora that the ring was for the engagement of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed. Claude Roulet and Franco Mora denied this, neither knew of the existence of any engagement plans. Alberto Repossi also stated that Dodi Al Fayed told him that the ring was for engagement. Angela Repossi was only able to speak about what her husband told her. Discussion with Dodi Al Fayed In his statement of 29 September 2005, Alberto Repossi stated, ‘We had about ten days to prepare this ring. I didn’t speak to M. Dodi Al Fayed’. In his interview of 5 July 2006, Alberto Repossi stated, that he thought he told Franco Mora this and subsequently received a telephone call from Dodi Al Fayed, informing him to get the ring sized because it was required for the end of the month. He stated that he remembered this well. In his interview to camera with Daphne Barak on 14 June 2006, Alberto Repossi stated, ‘So, in this case, I receive a call on back, from Mr Dodi Al Fayed himself, and he said, listen, I’m very sorry but we will be engaged 1st September, so we will announce the engagement’. The events in Repossi Jewellers, Place Vendôme on Saturday 30 August 1997 There were inconsistencies in many areas. Mohamed Al Fayed stated that Dodi Al Fayed went to Repossi jewellers at Place Vendôme on Saturday 30 August 1997 and collected an engagement ring that had been jointly chosen by the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed. Alberto Repossi supported this claim as did his wife, Angela Repossi. Page 76 CHAPTER ONE Both Alberto and Angela Repossi maintained that Dodi Al Fayed was presented with the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring by Alberto Repossi and that Dodi Al Fayed left the shop with the chosen ring in his pocket. Alberto Repossi also stated that he recalled joking with Dodi Al Fayed about the name of the ring during the presentation. Mohamed Al Fayed’s claim and the evidence of Alberto and Angela Repossi was contradicted by the evidence of Claude Roulet, Emanuele Gobbo and the CCTV footage. Claude Roulet attended the jewellers with Dodi Al Fayed and stated that they looked at a number of items of jewellery including rings, a bracelet and watches. There was no preselected chosen ring presented, no mention of the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring and Dodi Al Fayed did not take a ring with him. It was Claude Roulet, alone on a second visit to the shop, who was shown for the first time the ring identified as the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring and it was Claude Roulet who chose that ring and another larger, similar ring, to take and show to Dodi Al Fayed at the Ritz Hotel. It was at the Ritz Hotel during the evening of Saturday 30 August 1997 that Dodi Al Fayed saw for the first time the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring and it was then that he decided to take it to present to the Princess of Wales. The Princess of Wales had no part in the selection of the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring. Emanuele Gobbo, the sales assistant present on the day, corroborated Claude Roulet’s evidence, as did the CCTV evidence. Alberto and Angela Repossi stated that they had no recollection of the second visit by Claude Roulet before viewing the CCTV footage and they both claimed to have had the same recollection about events during the first visit. Viewing the CCTV footage has allowed them to recollect more accurately the events of that afternoon. It is now accepted that Dodi Al Fayed did not take a ring away and that the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring was given to Claude Roulet when he attended the shop on his second visit on his own. The evidence showed that it was Angela Repossi who packed the two rings, including the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring, into a bag which she then gave to Claude Roulet at the end of his second visit. [Paget Note: In an affidavit signed by Alberto Repossi dated 17 March 2000, he stated that he had given both of the rings to Claude Roulet. (Operation Paget Exhibit AR/1) This would indicate that in March 2000, Alberto Repossi’s recollection was more accurate. This is an indication of how time may affect witness recollection and why the CCTV footage is so important in understanding what actually happened.] Page 77 CHAPTER ONE Mention of Engagement Alberto Repossi stated that whilst he was presenting the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring to Dodi Al Fayed he was told by him that, ‘he liked the ring very much and that it was “to announce the engagement with Princess Diana”.’ He continued, ‘M. Roulet was next to him, so I think he said that to me in French, but I can’t be sure’. Claude Roulet denied that this occurred or that there was any mention of engagement in the shop. Emanuele Gobbo also stated that there was no mention of engagement. Angela Repossi on her own account was not present in the show room during much of this time. The weight of evidence indicates that the subject of engagement was not discussed in Repossi’s shop. 4. Alleged Pregnancy Mohamed Al Fayed In his claims, Mohamed Al Fayed stated his belief that the Princess of Wales was pregnant with Dodi Al Fayed’s child. Mohamed Al Fayed has stated publicly during television interviews that both the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed told him of the pregnancy on the telephone. Mohamed Al Fayed’s interview to camera with Piers Morgan 31 March 2003 Operation Paget – DVD 80 Piers Morgan: “You also believe, Mohamed, strongly that Diana was pregnant at the time that she died, don't you?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “This was one hundred percent.” Piers Morgan: “How can you be sure of that?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Because she told me herself and Dodi told me. I know this personally.” Mohamed Al Fayed’s interview to camera with Richard Belzer 25 August 2003 Operation Paget – Video 7 Richard Belzer: “There is some talk that Diana was pregnant. What do you think and what do you know about that?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Definitely.” Richard Belzer: “She was?” Page 78 CHAPTER ONE Mohamed Al Fayed: “Definitely.” Richard Belzer: “Dodi's child?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Definitely. Definitely. And Dodi confirmed this to me.” Richard Belzer: “He told you?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Already.” Mohamed Al Fayed interview to camera with Patricia Cornwall 30 October 2003 Operation Paget – Video 5 Mohamed Al Fayed: “She was pregnant and I know that.” Patricia Cornwell: “How did you know that.” Mohamed Al Fayed: “She told me on the phone.” Patricia Cornwell: “She told you on the phone?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Yes.” Mohamed Al Fayed’s interview to camera with Daphne Barak 9 February 2006 Operation Paget – Video 91 Mohamed Al Fayed: “No, but Diana was pregnant from Dodi.” Daphne Barak: “Diana was pregnant?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Yeah.” Daphne Barak: “You’re absolutely sure?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Definitely because I know and they told me just before that she was expecting a baby.” Daphne Barak: “Do you know if it was a boy or…” Mohamed Al Fayed: Mohamed Al Fayed speaks of his concerns regarding embalming. Page 79 CHAPTER ONE Daphne Barak: “And by the way, if we look, you say she was pregnant, for any reason maybe because of the angle, she looks a bit fuller.” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Yeah. But there’s another picture which shows her another way, she’s just in the beach in front of my villa shows definitely, the baby is there.” Daphne Barak: “Did Dodi share it with you?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Yeah definitely, herself too.” Daphne Barak: “What did she say?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Just happy, you know. He is going to announce their engagement, he bought her the engagement ring, everything was just going the right way [inaudible] just stop. Over the moon was all what was [inaudible] at the end of, really all the suffering she find happiness.” Daphne Barak: “Was it a son or a daughter? Because I know she [inaudible]” Mohamed Al Fayed: “No it was just, it was only 2, 4 weeks 5 weeks something like that you know.” Daphne Barak: “And when did they find out, when did they tell you?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “They tell me just a few days before.” Daphne Barak: “Did you share it?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Just keep it a secret but just before the engagement they say hey no… we are engaging because also she’s expecting my baby.” Daphne Barak: “So you think she was like 4 or 5 weeks?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Yes.” Daphne Barak: “Pregnant.” Mohamed Al Fayed: “(nods head) That’s life.” Page 80 CHAPTER ONE Operation Paget Comment The photograph referred to by Mohamed Al Fayed allegedly showing the Princess of Wales to be pregnant was taken on 14 July 1997. The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had not started a relationship at that time. (Operation Paget Message 330) In his witness statement to Operation Paget, Mohamed Al Fayed did not mention how or when he was told of the pregnancy. He mentioned pregnancy only in relation to the embalming of the body of the Princess of Wales. Mohamed Al Fayed statement to Operation Paget - Statement 163 ‘I suspect that the reason that the embalming was done was to conceal the fact that the Princess was pregnant with my son’s child. …This can only have been done in an effort to corrupt body samples which would have shown that she was pregnant with my son’s child.’ Pregnancy testing in France Immediately following the crash in the Alma underpass the Princess of Wales was in a critical condition. She was treated at the scene and during the journey to the Pitié- Salpêtrière Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery in an attempt to save her life. No pregnancy test was carried out at any time during this treatment. There was no need or relevance in carrying out such a test. Post-mortem examinations Following her death on Sunday 31 August 1997, the French pathologist, Professor Lecomte, carried out an external examination of the Princess of Wales’ body. She did not test for pregnancy; there was no reason to do so. Later the same day, after the body of the Princess of Wales arrived in England, Home Office Pathologist, Dr Robert Chapman carried out a full post-mortem examination at Hammersmith and Fulham Mortuary. During this examination, he saw no visible signs of pregnancy. At the request of Operation Paget, medical evidence has been independently peer reviewed and reported on by Home Office Pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd. Dr Shepherd stated, ‘There are no pathological features to support the suggestion of a pregnancy’. Page 81 CHAPTER ONE Further scientific test carried out on behalf of Operation Paget Operation Paget looked for opportunities to establish scientifically whether or not the Princess of Wales was pregnant. Operation Paget was aware of a blood sample taken from the Princess of Wales by Dr Chapman at the time of the post-mortem examination at Hammersmith and Fulham Mortuary. Advice was sought from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) senior crime scene managers in conjunction with advice from scientists at an independent company, Forensic Alliance. The blood taken at post-mortem examination was considered unreliable because of the amount of blood transfusion the Princess of Wales had undergone as part of her medical treatment. On 27 July 2005, Operation Paget took possession of the wreck of the Mercedes car registration number 688LTV75. An examination of the car revealed a potential source of pre-transfusion blood from the Princess of Wales in the foot-well carpet by her seat. This blood source was considered to be a better sample to investigate and one that could provide a more reliable result. The blood sample has been confirmed as being that of the Princess of Wales. After consultation, scientific tests were initiated by LGC Forensics (formerly known as Forensic Alliance) to determine whether or not there was any evidence of pregnancy in the blood sample. Professor David Cowan, Head of Department of Forensic Science and Drug Monitoring and Director, Drug Control Centre at Kings College, London, regarded as a world expert in his field, was brought in to lead on the testing. Operation Paget - Other Document 377 The conclusions were as follows: ‘Tests have shown that it is possible to detect the pregnancy hormone HCG in very old bloodstains. The bloodstain from the carpet was tested and no HCG was detected. The production of HCG varies widely between individuals in the early stages of pregnancy. Given that Professor Cowan’s tests show that no HCG was detected, the final conclusion is likely to be probabilistic. This means that from the results of his analyses, it is likely that he will be more confident that [the Princess of Wales] was not several weeks pregnant, with decreasing levels of confidence working back to the point of possible conception. The interpretation needs to be very carefully considered along with the post-mortem findings and in conjunction with timescales of possible opportunities for conception, rather than in isolation.’ Page 82 CHAPTER ONE Other evidence Operation Paget has obtained detailed evidence from the Princess of Wales’ doctors, family and close friends in addition to those providing personal services to her in the days and weeks before her death. None of the friends had any knowledge of any pregnancy and most thought that either they would have been told or that the Princess of Wales would have told some of their number. Some of these friends spoke to the Princess of Wales in the days shortly before she died and some spoke to her only hours before she died. Their evidence supported the proposition that she was not pregnant at the time of her death. The personal and intimate nature of that evidence suggested it to be inappropriate to include details in this report. The detailed evidence is held within Operation Paget. The following evidence is given here because of its relevance and because it is of a less sensitive nature. Myriah Daniels Myriah Daniels was an holistic healer who travelled aboard the yacht ‘Jonikal’ on the second cruise at the end of August 1997. She had known Dodi Al Fayed since the late 1980’s and travelled with him often providing him with regular treatment. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 182 ‘I have been asked whether or not Diana was pregnant. I can say with one hundred per cent certainty that she was not pregnant. I will explain how I can be so sure of this fact. Firstly, she told me herself that she was not pregnant. Secondly, when you have the years of experience that I have of caring for women’s bodies there are many indications as to whether or not a woman is pregnant. It is incomprehensible to me that Diana would have allowed me to carry out such an invasive treatment [deep massage] on her stomach and intestines if she thought she was pregnant… …I have worked with women in the past, from prior to conception, through the full term of a pregnancy and I am familiar with what a pregnant body feels like even in its early stages, as well as the things that women would normally say to me about their pregnancy, no matter what stage it’s in.’ ‘…This is a very sensitive issue for me to discuss but I know for a fact she wasn’t pregnant because she told me she wasn’t and through the course of my work on her body I found no indications to show that she was. If there were any chance that she were pregnant, she definitely did not know about it herself. This is supported by a direct conversation I had with Diana on board the ‘Jonikal’. Page 83 CHAPTER ONE During the trip we received faxed copies of newspaper reports or sometimes one of the crew would go ashore to get the newspapers. One particular day when Diana came in for me to work with her she looked irritated, threw up her arms in the air and said in an exasperated manner ‘Now they have me pregnant!’ She was referring to a newspaper headline she had just seen. She said this in total dismay and disbelief. She was clearly disturbed that the newspapers were making this up about her.’ René DELORM The butler to Dodi Al Fayed up until the time of the crash. He gives evidence about the relationship and suggests the Princess of Wales was pregnant. He has written and published a book entitled, ‘Diana and Dodi, A love story.’ He was in the apartment at rue Arsène Houssaye on the 30 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 120 ‘…What I left out of that story was that later that evening I went to enter the living room; I coughed to announce my presence and saw the Princess sitting on the coffee table. Dodi was on one knee in front of her, caressing her belly and she was looking at her hand. The only thing I heard, was her say the word ‘Yes.’ I left it out because after their deaths, what I read in the press with people pretending she was pregnant, I didn’t want to get involved so I left it out. I have been asked why I have not included this in my book or mentioned it prior to today. My response to this is that it was speculation and I didn’t want to look like someone taking advantage and confirm the rumours. I thought if she was pregnant it would come out later.’…. Additional Information Complaint by Michael Cole about references to pregnancy in September 1997. On 22 September 1997, Michael Cole, Director of Public Affairs for Harrods at the time, wrote a letter ‘for favour of publication’ to the Editor of ‘The Daily Telegraph’ complaining about particular references made in an article published in the newspaper’s ‘Weekender’ section of 20 September 1997. Operation Paget - Other Document 22 Letter dated 22 September 1997 ‘Colin Randall’s report on the investigation into the deaths of Dodi Al Fayed and Diana, Princess of Wales (City of Rumour, The Daily Telegraph Weekend, 20 September 1997) is one of the few painstaking pieces to appear to date, spoiled by references to pregnancy and cocaine, for which scurrilous allegations not a scrap of evidence has emerged. Pursuit of the truth is not a licence to defame the dead and a respectable newspaper like yours should not touch such worthless stuff.’ Page 84 CHAPTER ONE This letter was followed by a complaint about the same article to Lord Wakeham, the Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. Operation Paget - Other Document 22 Letter dated 24 September 1997 ‘…In the article it was alleged that cocaine was found in the car in which Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed met their deaths in Paris on Sunday 31 August 1997 and that the Princess was pregnant at the time of her death. As no evidence has emerged to support these damaging allegations…’ ‘…I believe my letter makes the substance of my complaint clear. I should emphasise that I am acting in my capacity as a Director of a company of which the principal shareholder Mr Mohamed Al Fayed is the father of one of the two people jointly defamed, Mr Dodi Al Fayed. In 9 years in this post, I have never troubled you before and I would not do so now if I did not believe that the conduct of The Daily Telegraph, in giving currency to nasty rumours which have no factual basis was worthy of a formal complaint.’ Michael Cole clarified his position over this complaint in his statement of 6 July 2006 to Operation Paget. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 221 ‘…I felt it was cruel and wrong to speculate about those so recently dead and that there should be a decent interval for questions such as the Princess's possible pregnancy to be answered in a definitive way. The PCC did not uphold my complaint. I made the complaint on my own initiative and drafted the papers that accompanied the complaint.’ Operation Paget Comment A claim has been made that the Princess of Wales was under close surveillance by MI6 and United States agencies and that her telephone calls were intercepted and monitored. Even if that had been the case, from the evidence of those family, friends and associates who spoke to the Princess of Wales during the hours and days before her death, any monitoring of these communications would not have given rise to any suspicion that she was pregnant because she never made any such comment to them. It was only the content of the call or calls that Mohamed Al Fayed stated he received on 30 August 1997 that would potentially have alerted the authorities in relation to pregnancy. [Paget Note: The claims relating to United States agencies and MI6 are examined in Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen.] Page 85 CHAPTER ONE (iii) CONCLUSIONS Part A – Claims outlined in Section (i) Relationship and Engagement Claim 1 - On Monday (1st September 1997) Dodi and Diana will declare their engagement. Family members and numerous close friends and associates of the Princess of Wales have been interviewed and none of them was aware of any intention to get engaged or to announce an engagement. Some of those friends and associates spoke to the Princess of Wales on Saturday 30 August 1997. Those involved in the daily organisation of the Princess of Wales’ life were also unaware of any engagement or announcement. An announcement of this magnitude by the Princess of Wales would have required some preplanning, of which there was no evidence. Stuart Benson, the General Counsel and legal advisor to Mohamed Al Fayed gives evidence of a proposed meeting with Dodi Al Fayed on 1 September 1997. He is not definitive about the purpose of the meeting but he believed it may have been in connection with Dodi Al Fayed’s engagement. There was no evidence from any family, friends, confidantes or other associates of the Princess of Wales that any announcement was to be made. Claims 2 and 3 Claim 2 - Dodi told Mohamed Al Fayed this on Saturday evening at 10 o’clock. Claim 3 - Diana told Mohamed Al Fayed this on Saturday evening at 10 o’clock. These claims relate to an announcement of engagement on Monday 1 September 1997. Page 86 CHAPTER ONE Mohamed Al Fayed made these claims during interview to camera by Nicholas Owen on 3 June 1998 – ‘Diana – Secrets behind the crash’ Mohamed Al Fayed: “And then they call me and say what’s happening, that we are having dinner and after they are going back to the apartment and coming back on Sunday and on Monday they will declare their engagement. Dodi told me that and Diana told me that on Saturday evening at ten o’clock.” Nicholas Owen: “Did Diana speak to you in that conversation?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Yeah.” Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales had access to many telephones at the Ritz Hotel, the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye and various mobile and car telephones. Operation Paget is aware of what has been claimed, but has insufficient information to comment on the content of these telephone calls. Claim 4 - The ‘people’ who do not want to see Dodi as step-father to the future king want Diana and Dodi dead. The claim referred only to ‘people’ and was not more specific. Mr Al Fayed made the claim during an interview to camera in July 1998 on NBC ‘Dateline’. He stated: Interviewer: “Who would want Dodi and Diana dead?” Mohamed Al Fayed: “The people who do not want to see Dodi to be step-father to the future king.” Operation Paget has found no evidence at all from anyone interviewed or coming to notice in the investigation that would support this claim. Page 87 CHAPTER ONE Claims 5, 11 and 12 Claim 5 - On the day of the crash Dodi collected an engagement ring from a jeweller adjacent to the Ritz Hotel. Claim 11 - This ring was to be sent to Italy for sizing and Dodi was to collect it from Repossi at his shop in Paris on 30th August 1997. Claim 12 - Mr Al Fayed has seen footage from a CCTV camera at Repossi’s in Paris showing Dodi collecting the ring at about 6.00pm on Saturday 30 August 1997. Dodi Al Fayed himself did not collect a ring from Repossi jewellers, Place Vendôme, Paris on Saturday 30 August 1997. He visited the shop with Claude Roulet, the assistant to the chairman of the Ritz Hotel and was shown items of jewellery from display cases. Dodi Al Fayed left with only a Repossi catalogue. There was no presentation of any prepared ring. CCTV, documentary and witness evidence showed that Claude Roulet later returned to the shop alone and selected two rings. Subsequently, at the Ritz Hotel, Dodi Al Fayed selected one of those rings to present to the Princess of Wales. This ring was from the ‘Tell me Yes’ range, which was regarded as a range of engagement rings. The evidence shows that the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring selected by Claude Roulet was not preselected or sent to workshops in Italy for sizing. The only evidence to suggest (by inference) that the Princess of Wales saw an engagement ring is that given by René Delorm. Claims 6, 8 and 10 Claim 6 - The ring had been jointly chosen and was being altered. Claim 8 - Dodi and Diana went into Repossi’s jeweller’s shop in Monte Carlo and chose a ring. Claim 10 - Dodi and Diana met Albert Repossi in Monte Carlo and selected an engagement ring. It was alleged that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed jointly selected the engagement ring when visiting Repossi jewellers in Monte Carlo. The evidence, together with travel scheduling, showed that Dodi Al Fayed and/or the Princess of Wales might have seen an item of jewellery in the shop window on the 5 August or 23 August 1997. No one was able to identify this item of jewellery. Page 88 CHAPTER ONE The jewellers are unable to evidence how they were made aware of the ring size in order to alter it. They were unable to evidence the work being carried out. Repossi Jewellers did not produce any documentary evidence that the work was undertaken. By his own account Alberto Repossi accepted that he was not present in his Monte Carlo shop and did not meet the Princess of Wales or Dodi Al Fayed. The only evidence to suggest (by inference) that the Princess of Wales saw an engagement ring is that given by Rene Delorm. Claims 7 and 9 Claim 7 - ‘They’ would not accept an Egyptian, naturally tanned, having curly hair as step-father for the boys. Claim 9 - Dodi was murdered because of his intended marriage to Princess Diana and Mohamed’s belief that she was expecting Dodi’s child. Mohamed Al Fayed made the first claim in an interview with Richard Belzer to camera on 25 August 2003. He stated: Richard Belzer: “Some people believe that because Diana was going to marry Dodi that they couldn't have that. That that would somehow dilute the monarchy, that they didn't want an Egyptian step-father for the boys.” Mohamed Al Fayed: “Absolutely.” Richard Belzer: “Just as basic as that.” Mohamed Al Fayed: “An Egyptian, naturally tanned, his daddy having curly hair, you know, and he has the same. They just would not accept that.” The second claim was made by Mohamed Al Fayed in a letter to Sir John Stevens dated 25 November 2004. He wrote: ‘Short of assassination, they (the establishment) will not deter me from telling the world that my son was murdered because of his intended marriage to Princess Diana and my belief that she was expecting Dodi’s child.’ Operation Paget found no evidence at all from anyone interviewed or coming to notice in the investigation that would support these claims. Page 89 CHAPTER ONE Claim 13 - The bodyguard Trevor Rees Jones made a false claim in his book that the ring had not been chosen in Monte Carlo. Trevor Rees-Jones was the bodyguard accompanying the couple during their walk in Monte Carlo on 23 August 1997. In his statement to Operation Paget he confirmed his belief that the couple never went into Repossi jewellers whilst he was with them. René Delorm, Dodi Al Fayed’s former butler, supported his evidence to some degree. In his statement to Operation Paget he stated that the visit to a jewellers was on the previous visit when a different bodyguard, John Johnson was present. However, John Johnson stated that they never entered a jewellers shop. (René Delorm also stated that he confused the two visits in his mind.) The weight of evidence in relation to this indicated that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed did not enter Repossi shop on either visit to Monte Carlo but on the 5 August or 23 August 1997 they might have seen an item of jewellery in the shop window. Claim 14 - Dodi phoned Mohamed in the early evening of Saturday 30 August and said he had to return to Rue Arsene Houssaye because the engagement ring was there and he had to formally present it to Princess Diana. This claim was made by Mohamed Al Fayed in his witness statement to Operation Paget dated 5 July 2005. Dodi Al Fayed had access to many telephones at the Ritz Hotel, the apartment at rue Arsène Houssaye and various mobile and car telephones. Operation Paget is aware of what has been claimed but does not have sufficient information to comment on the content of any telephone calls between Mohamed Al Fayed and Dodi Al Fayed. There is evidence that the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring was at the apartment. The evidence is that they were returning to the apartment when the crash occurred. The only evidence to suggest (by inference) that the Princess of Wales saw an engagement ring is that given by René Delorm. That same evidence would suggest that Dodi Al Fayed had earlier that evening proposed to the Princess of Wales and that the ring had been presented and accepted. His is the only evidence that supports this view. Page 90 CHAPTER ONE Claim 15 - Diana was under close surveillance by MI6. CIA and NSA in the United States closely intercepted and monitored her telephone calls. CIA and NSA possess 39 documents consisting of 1054 pages, which relate in part to transcripts of telephone calls made by Princess Diana whilst she was with my son. ‘They’ would have been aware that she intended to publicly announce her engagement to Dodi on Monday 1st September 1997. This claim is dealt with mainly in Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen of this report. Nevertheless it was clear from the evidence of those family, friends and associates who spoke to the Princess of Wales during the hours and days before her death that any monitoring of her communications would have given no indication of impending engagement or an announcement being made on 1 September 1997 or any cause for concern. Further, according to friends and associates, there was no suggestion given in their communications that the Princess of Wales may have been pregnant. It was only the content of the telephone call or calls that Mohamed Al Fayed stated he received and perhaps a telephone call between Dodi Al Fayed and Stuart Benson on 29 August 1997 that could have potentially alerted the authorities. Pregnancy Claims 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 - All of these claims relate to the embalming of the body of the Princess of Wales. Mohamed Al Fayed claimed that the body of the Princess of Wales was embalmed illegally in France and that this was done to conceal the fact that she was pregnant. Operation Paget has conducted extensive enquiries into these issues and the evidence and conclusions in respect of these claims can be found in Chapter Nine of this report. The evidence does not substantiate the claims. Claim 16 - Rumours circulating among the media by 30 August 1997 that the Princess might be pregnant. There may have been rumours circulating among the media suggesting that the Princess of Wales was pregnant. There was no indication of pregnancy given by the Princess of Wales to her doctor, family, friends or associates. Page 91 CHAPTER ONE Claim 21, 22 and 31 Claim 21 - Dodi confirmed to Mohamed that Diana was pregnant. Mohamed Al Fayed’s interview to camera with Richard Belzer 25 August 2003 Claim 22 - Diana told Mohamed on the phone that she was pregnant. Mohamed Al Fayed interview to camera with Patricia Cornwell 30 October 2003 Claim 31 - Dodi and Diana told Mohamed of the pregnancy a few days before. He kept this a secret. Mohamed Al Fayed’s interview to camera with Daphne Barak 9 February 2006 Mohamed Al Fayed made all these claims in interviews to camera as shown and the actual comments made are given in this Chapter. Mohamed Al Fayed had access to many telephones and the couple had access to a number of telephones at the Ritz Hotel, the apartment at rue Arsène Houssaye and various mobile and car telephones. Operation Paget has insufficient information to comment on the content of any telephone calls between Mohamed Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales or Dodi Al Fayed. The evidence: pathological, scientific, medical and anecdotal showed that the Princess of Wales was not pregnant. Claim 23 - Dodi was murdered because of his intended marriage to Princess Diana and Mohamed’s belief that she was expecting Dodi’s child. The claim regarding the intended marriage is dealt with above at Claim 9. There was insufficient information for Operation Paget to comment on Mohamed Al Fayed’s belief about pregnancy prior to the deaths of the couple. Michael Cole, at that time the Director of Public Affairs for Harrods, in his complaint to the Press Complaints Commission on 24 September 1997, wrote that he considered references to the Princess of Wales being pregnant as defamatory and as ‘giving currency to nasty rumours.’ Michael Cole in his statement to Operation Paget on 6 July 2006 stated that he made the complaint on his own initiative and drafted all the papers that accompanied the complaint. There is no evidence that Dodi Al Fayed was murdered. Claim 29 - There is a picture of Diana on the beach in front of Mohamed’s villa that shows the baby is there. The photograph referred to was taken on the 14 July 1997 showing the Princess of Wales wearing a swimming costume. The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had not even started their relationship at that time. In any event all the evidence showed that the Princess of Wales was not pregnant. Page 92 CHAPTER ONE Claim 30 - Diana was 2, 4, 5 weeks pregnant. There was no sign of pregnancy at the post-mortem examination. Scientific tests carried out on the Princess of Wales’ pre-transfusion blood have shown no evidence of pregnancy. There is witness evidence from close friends and others that the Princess of Wales in mid August 1997 was in her normal menstrual cycle. There is witness evidence that she was using contraception. If she thought she was pregnant the Princess of Wales did not tell any of her family, friends, confidantes or her doctor. The only evidence relates to her conversation with Mohamed Al Fayed. The evidence: pathological, scientific, medical and anecdotal showed that the Princess of Wales was not pregnant. Operation Paget Conclusion Dodi Al Fayed may have been intending to propose to the Princess of Wales during the weekend of 30/31 August 1997. The only evidence of any announcement of engagement on 1 September 1997 comes from Mohamed Al Fayed and, to an extent, from Stuart Benson. The evidence is that the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring was not selected as an engagement ring by the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed together. The evidence from René Delorm is that the ‘Tell me Yes’ ring was at the apartment to which the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were returning at the time of the crash. René Delorm gives evidence that would suggest that Dodi Al Fayed had earlier in the evening presented the ring and proposed to the Princess of Wales and that she had accepted. His is the only evidence that supports any view that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were already engaged. The weight of evidence is that the Princess of Wales was not intending to get engaged or married to Dodi Al Fayed. The overwhelming evidence is that the Princess of Wales was not pregnant and further, that she did not believe that she was pregnant. Page 93
CHAPTER TWO PERCEIVED THREATS TO THE PRINCESS OF WALES CHAPTER TWO CONTENTS Page i) Claims in support of conspiracy allegation 94 - 95 ii) Report 96 - 133 iii) Conclusions 134 - 140 CHAPTER TWO (i) CLAIMS IN SUPPORT OF CONSPIRACY ALLEGATION The following claims are direct lifts from source documents or have been made in interviews to camera. The wording may have been abridged to assist the reader in understanding the key points. Précis of the claims made by Mohamed Al Fayed It is alleged that the Princess of Wales feared for her own safety, believed there were plans to cause her harm and expressed these concerns to other people. Claims 1. There were clearly those, including the Princess's own mother, who were bitterly opposed to the Princess having a relationship with a Muslim. My son was of course a Muslim. 2. Prince Philip himself is now revealed as having written vitriolic letters to the Princess which demonstrate the strength of feeling which existed within the Royal Family as well as the ‘Establishment’. 3. It has also emerged that the Princess video recorded intimate personal diaries outlining the treatment she had received at the hands of many members of the Royal Family and other ‘Establishment’ figures. Source – 7 February 2003 Submission by Mohamed Al Fayed to Minister for Justice, Scotland, for Public Inquiry, Pages 7(1), 8(2) and 8(4) Claim 4. Mr Burrell has recently disclosed a letter written by the Princess of Wales in October 1996 and apparently given to him for safekeeping. It includes the following passage: `I am sitting here at my desk today in October, longing for someone to hug me and encourage me to keep strong and hold my head high. This particular phase in my life is the most dangerous. [...] is planning `an accident' in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for Charles to marry. ...’ (This appears to be a direct lift from a newspaper article of October 2003.) Source - Undated ‘Note of Argument’ Supporting Petition For Judicial Review - Minister For Justice, Scotland - In name of Mohamed Al Fayed, Page 7(11) xxii Page 94 CHAPTER TWO Claims 5. During the summer holiday Princess Diana often told me that she feared she would be murdered by the Royal Family. 6. At one time she said that she will probably go up in a helicopter and never come down alive. 7. She told me that she had confided in her butler, Paul Burrell, and that if anything should happen to her, Paul Burrell held the secrets. Source – 5 July 2005 Witness Statement Signed by Mohamed Al Fayed, Page 4 Claim 8. Diana told me personally, “if anything happens to me, be sure the finger is … the person who has done it is Prince Philip” Source - 31 March 2005 TV - ‘You’re Fayed’ – Channel 4, Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera Claim 9. Threats she has from Prince Philip in writing, letters already in Scotland Yard’s possession. Source - 9 February 2006 TV - Daphne Barak Videotape, Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera [Paget Note: In this report the term Prince Philip, as used in Mohamed Al Fayed’s allegation, is repeated throughout for consistency, rather than the title, the Duke of Edinburgh.] Page 95 CHAPTER TWO (ii) REPORT Operation Paget has assessed all relevant statements and documents and has included excerpts only where considered necessary. Excerpts from statements or other documents shown in italics are direct lifts and the language and spelling will reflect this. Introduction It was alleged that the Princess of Wales feared that the ‘Establishment’ and/or the Royal Family wanted to cause her harm. The statements of her family, friends and contacts have been examined for evidence of such concerns and they are referred to throughout this report. The Princess of Wales’ concerns were examined in the following areas: 1. The Princess of Wales’ personal safety. 2. Surveillance of the Princess of Wales. 3. Her relationship with other members of the Royal Household. 4. The safety of people close to the Princess of Wales. Many of those interviewed have said that the Princess of Wales compartmentalised the people she knew and it was not uncommon for friends in different groups not to meet or even know of each other. 1. Concerns for her Personal Safety Section 1 is in two parts: Part (a) examines evidence where the Princess of Wales has expressed her concerns specifically relating to a car accident: i) A note produced by Lord Mishcon, the Princess of Wales’ legal representative, giving details of a meeting with her in 1995 in which she expressed concerns for her safety. ii) A note left apparently in 1995 or 1996 for her butler Paul Burrell, in which she wrote of her fears of a car accident. iii) An incident in a car she was driving in 1995 when the Princess of Wales believed her brakes failed as a result of tampering. Part (b) looks at the general concerns of the Princess of Wales by examining the views of those who knew her. Page 96 CHAPTER TWO Part (a) - Concerns Relating to a Car Accident i) The Lord Mishcon note Lord Mishcon was the personal legal representative of the Princess of Wales. In 1995 he was general advisor to the Princess of Wales. In a meeting with her she outlined fears for her safety, including the possibility of an accident in her car. Following her death in the 1997 traffic collision, Lord Mishcon believed he should bring the content of the note to the attention of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Baron MISHCON of LAMBETH (now deceased) Legal adviser to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget -Statement 222 On 30 October 1995, he attended a meeting with the Princess of Wales and her Private Secretary, Patrick Jephson. Following that meeting, Lord Mishcon prepared a handwritten note (Operation Paget - Exhibit VM/1). He wrote that the Princess of Wales had told him, that ‘reliable sources’ (whom she did not wish to name) had informed her that by April 1996, whether in an accident in her car such as a pre-prepared brake failure or by other means, efforts would be made if not to get rid of her, then at least to see that she was so injured or damaged as to be declared unbalanced. The Princess of Wales apparently believed that there was a conspiracy and that both she and Camilla Parker Bowles were to be ‘put aside’. Lord Mishcon told the Princess of Wales that if she really believed her life or being was under threat, security measures including those relating to her car must be increased. He did not believe that what she was saying was credible and sought a private word with Patrick Jephson, who to Lord Mishcon’s surprise, said that he ‘half believed’ the accuracy of her remarks regarding her safety. On 18 September 1997, following the Princess of Wales’ death in Paris, Lord Mishcon met with the then Commissioner Sir Paul (now Lord) Condon and then Assistant Commissioner (now Sir) David Veness at New Scotland Yard (NSY), in order to bring the note to their attention. He read out the note (Operation Paget Exhibit VM/1) and emphasised that he was acting in a private capacity rather than on behalf of his firm or the Royal Family. A note of that meeting was produced (Operation Paget Exhibit VM/2). It details the then Commissioner’s view that the facts so far ascertained showed her death was the result of a tragic set of circumstances. The note concluded that if it ever appeared there were some suspicious factors to the crash in Paris, the Commissioner would make contact at a confidential level with Lord Mishcon or his firm. Lord Mishcon agreed with this course of action. Page 97 CHAPTER TWO Lord Paul CONDON Former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. Interviewed by Operation Paget -Statement 232 Lord Condon recalled the meeting with Lord Mishcon and the note produced by him. He stated that it was agreed by all present that the facts of the incident in which the Princess of Wales died, as known at that time, indicated that it was a tragic accident. It was also agreed that if at any time that situation changed and the circumstances of her death were to be regarded as suspicious, the note and the Princess of Wales’ concerns would be revisited. The Commissioner asked Assistant Commissioner David Veness to monitor the situation on his behalf. Lord Condon stated that his belief at the time of the meeting was that the car crash in Paris was a tragic accident and since that meeting nothing had been brought to his attention that would alter that view. Whilst Commissioner he would have sought a further meeting with Lord Mishcon had there been cause to do so. There was no cause to do so. Lord Condon was shown a copy of the ‘Daily Mirror’ newspaper article dated 20 October 2003, that referred to a note released by Paul Burrell in which the Princess of Wales expressed concerns for her safety. Lord Condon was not aware of that note before its publication in the newspaper in 2003. Sir David VENESS Former Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 227 Sir David recalled the meeting with Lord Mishcon in September 1997 to discuss the note written two years previously. Lord Mishcon wanted to bring the content of the note to the attention of the Commissioner of Police. It was agreed that if the note became relevant then Lord Mishcon or his firm must be consulted before any disclosure took place. Sir David stated there were ‘two blocks on using the document’. Firstly, there must be some relevant suspicion concerning the death and secondly, authority must be sought from Lord Mishcon or his firm before disclosure. In his view these conditions never arose. However, when on 20 October 2003, the ‘Daily Mirror’ newspaper published the story about the letter/note in the possession of Paul Burrell, Sir David Veness and the Commissioner of the time, Sir John Stevens, reviewed the Lord Mishcon note. As a result of this review and after seeking the view of Lord Mishcon, it was agreed that the Coroner should be informed of the existence and substance of the Lord Mishcon note. Further, enquiries should be made with Patrick Jephson who was also present during the meeting of Lord Mishcon and the Princess of Wales in 1995. Page 98 CHAPTER TWO Sir David’s first knowledge of the Paul Burrell letter/note was when it was published in the ‘Daily Mirror’ newspaper on 20 October 2003. He was not aware that Paul Burrell was in possession of the letter/note and not aware of anyone else who knew about his possession of it. If he had known about the contents of the letter/note before then, Sir David stated he may have instructed that Paul Burrell should be seen about it. Patrick JEPHSON Private Secretary to the Princess of Wales from 1990 until his resignation in January 1996. Interviewed by Operation Paget -Statement 23 In relation to the meeting in October 1995 between the Princess of Wales and Lord Mishcon, Patrick Jephson assumed that Lord Mishcon's responsibility was primarily that of a solicitor to his client and that he was therefore obliged to take what the Princess of Wales said at face value, whatever misgivings he might have had privately. In the circumstances, Patrick Jephson thought it highly unlikely that the concerns of the Princess of Wales were well-founded. He was however anxious not to dismiss these claims outright. She had made similar claims to him in the recent past without any evidence being found. Nevertheless, he knew that an open expression of disbelief might discourage her from sharing similar fears in future. He felt it best to try to elicit the source of her information in order to decide what credence it deserved. However, in the time available, he was not able to establish the source with any certainty and even wondered if one existed at all. Knowing her as he did, he was fairly confident that her behaviour was not that of someone who actually feared for her life. [Paget Note: Following the taking of this statement from Patrick Jephson in December 2003 the Coroner, Michael Burgess, was informed of the Lord Mishcon note.] ii) The Paul Burrell note In October 2003 the ‘Daily Mirror’ newspaper printed the following extract from the note, left apparently by the Princess of Wales in Paul Burrell’s office at Kensington Palace: “This particular phase in my life is the most dangerous, ____ is planning an ‘accident’ in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for Charles to marry.” [Paget Notes: i) The masked section covered the words ‘my husband’. ii) The note is referred to by some as a ‘letter’] Page 99 CHAPTER TWO Paul BURRELL Former Butler to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statements 24, 24A and 24B In February 2004, Paul Burrell sent a statement to the Coroner, Michael Burgess. He referred to the ‘letter’ he had received from the Princess of Wales. He stated: ‘In October 1996 I received from the Princess a letter an abridged copy of which I now attach to this statement. In the course of this letter, the Princess makes reference to her fears that she would die in a road traffic accident. The Princess had mentioned similar fears to me on previous occasions and had also mentioned them to Ken Wharfe, her former close protection officer and I believe to other close friends.’ ‘When the Princess had spoken about dying in a car accident, her expressed rationale in thinking that that would be the way that somebody would kill her was simply that it would be the easiest way to do it without arousing suspicion. When I received the attached letter from the Princess I did not become more worried or vigilant on her behalf as a result of it but took it to be a further repetition of a previously expressed fear.’ ‘The letter represented the only document received by or seen by me containing any reference to car accidents and it was, I believe, simply an indicator of the way the Princess was thinking and feeling at that point in time. Having received the letter from the Princess I did discuss it with her, but it was clear that this was something that she felt when she wrote the letter and which did not preoccupy her thereafter so that we never discussed it again.’ Operation Paget officers met Paul Burrell in May 2004. He provided a further statement. He stated that the letter left by the Princess of Wales was more accurately described as ‘a memorandum or note as there was no addressee’; it was just left inside the blotter in his office at Kensington Palace for his attention. This was her custom. He was sure the note was received in the month of October as he related it in his mind to another incident that happened shortly afterwards at Christmas time. He believed now that it may have been written a year earlier than he first stated, perhaps in 1995. Although the year may be different the facts of the note remained the same. He did not lay any particular weight on the note and did not discuss the Princess of Wales’ fears with anybody else. There were no instructions attached to it and the Princess of Wales did not talk about it [Paget Note - In his first statement he stated they discussed it but only on one occasion]. He did not do anything about it because he thought she was just unburdening her fears again. It was one of several memoranda she wrote between 1991 and 1997, particularly around the time of her divorce. [Paget Note: The Princess of Wales was divorced in August 1996.] Page 100 CHAPTER TWO Paul Burrell, in relation to other fears expressed by the Princess of Wales, stated: ‘There were no other notes outlining this particular fear and I believe it has now been taken out of context and too much emphasis placed on it. I have never seen or heard of any evidence that would substantiate the fear expressed and I do not know what prompted her to write it at that time. I am not aware of any evidence that her vehicle was ever interfered with.’ Paul Burrell stated that the Princess of Wales believed that Barry Mannakee, a former Personal Protection Officer who had on occasions been assigned to her, had been deliberately killed in a motorcycle crash. The crash happened seven months after Barry Mannakee had moved from personal protection duties to more general diplomatic protection. Paul Burrell believed that the Princess of Wales never wavered from this view and this may have influenced her thinking when writing the note. [Paget Note: The motorcycle crash involving Barry Mannakee is dealt with in section 4 of this Chapter, ‘The safety of people close to the Princess of Wales’. The conclusion in that section is that Barry Mannakee died in an accident. There is no evidence of any suspicious circumstances associated with his death.] Paul Burrell believed that if the Princess of Wales had been truly concerned for her safety in a car, as expressed in the note, she would not have continued to drive. In his statement of May 2004, he said: ‘As far as checking her car, not much was done. We looked under the wheel arches for things like tracking devices but did not really know what we were looking for. Any tampering could easily be done during a service and we would not know about it. Even then, Rod Gunner at BMW, Holland Park looked after her car at the time and he was very vigilant. There was no previous evidence of brake failure. She still drove herself and this did not change even though everyone seemed to know where she was going and were she would be. I believe if she had been truly concerned for her safety in a car, as in the note, she would not have continued to drive herself around in her own car. Any concerns that she had were more around media intrusion.’ It would appear that no one, other than Paul Burrell, knew of the existence of this note until its publication in 2003. Members of her family, friends and associates of the Princess of Wales have been asked about the note and their views are summarised here. Lady Sarah McCORQUODALE Sister of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 53A She did not think the ‘Burrell letter’ was written to him and it was ‘out of character’. Page 101 CHAPTER TWO Lucia FLECHA DE LIMA Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 61 She believed the ‘Burrell letter’ to be a fake. She stated that Paul Burrell ‘could imitate Princess Diana’s handwriting, he often helped her out with Christmas cards etc. If this letter is true it would have been in a mad moment’. The Honourable Rosa MONCKTON Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 43 She had looked back in her diaries of 1996 but could not equate what was said in the ‘Burrell letter’ with what was going on in the Princess of Wales’ life at that time. Lady Annabel GOLDSMITH Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 46 She did not understand the ‘Burrell letter’ and could see no reason why anyone would want the Princess of Wales dead. Shirley CONRAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 39 She does not think that the Princess of Wales feared for her safety and did not think that she meant the contents of what she wrote in the ‘Burrell letter’ to be taken literally. Michael GIBBINS Former Private Secretary to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 60 He did not receive a letter such as the ‘Burrell letter’ from the Princess of Wales and had doubts over the authenticity of the letter published in the press. Page 102 CHAPTER TWO Kenneth WHARFE Former Metropolitan Police Service Personal Protection Officer. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 35 He stated: ‘This particular letter had no salutations; that was very unusual for the Princess…had she intended Paul Burrell to have this letter/note she would have most certainly accompanied it with a letter addressed to Burrell – to date we have not seen this.’ Rodney TURNER Business and personal acquaintance. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 88 He provided motor vehicles to the Princess of Wales. The ‘Burrell letter’ really surprised him. He stated that although he had not seen the letter, as far as he was aware it was undated and to his knowledge the Princess of Wales dated everything she wrote. Richard KAY Journalist and press contact of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 87 She neither spoke to him nor showed him a note about being involved in an incident such as that described in the ‘Burrell note’. He stated that by October 1996, ‘when the Burrell note was supposed to have been written’, the Princess was not so worried about her privacy or protection. Grahame HARDING Security consultant. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Statement 26A He provided telephones to the Princess of Wales. She never discussed with him the possibility of the brakes on her car failing, or being involved in a road traffic incident. His Royal Highness THE PRINCE OF WALES The note identifies ‘my husband’ as the subject of her concerns and belief that a car accident was planned, to cause her a serious head injury in order to make the ‘path clear for Charles to marry’. [Paget Note: There is a generally held perception that this reference is to Camilla Parker Bowles, now the Duchess of Cornwall. This is not so. The Princess of Wales did name a woman in her note. It was not Camilla Parker Bowles. Operation Paget knows the identity of the woman named. The circumstances in which she is mentioned support the view that the note is more likely to have been written in 1995.] Page 103 CHAPTER TWO HRH the Prince of Wales stated that he had no knowledge of this note until its publication in 2003 and did not know why the Princess of Wales wrote it. The Princess of Wales did not speak to him about it. HRH the Prince of Wales knew the woman named in the note, as a family friend. There has never been any possibility at any time of marriage to her. Operation Paget Comment TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales divorced in August 1996. The fact that the Princess of Wales referred in the note to ‘my husband’ rather than her ex-husband or some other term, lends support to the fact that it was written before that date and thus the date of October 1995 is more likely. The claim made by the Princess of Wales in the Paul Burrell note may have been an indication that at the time of writing it she perceived threats to her position in many different ways. The note showed that her concern at that time was not, as was generally perceived, Camilla Parker Bowles. In the Lord Mishcon meeting of October 1995 (most probably the same time as the Paul Burrell note) the Princess of Wales had in fact referred to both herself and Camilla Parker Bowles being ‘put aside’. None of the family, friends and acquaintances of the Princess of Wales were aware of the note. Some questioned its authenticity. Some believed that the original date given by Paul Burrell of 1996, i.e. post-divorce, did not fit with the Princess of Wales’ state of mind at that time. She and the Prince of Wales had officially separated in 1992 and the divorce was complete in the summer of 1996. Relatives and friends believed she was looking forward to the future and her relationship with HRH the Prince of Wales had improved. They therefore believed it was more likely that the note was written in 1995, as described in Paul Burrell’s second statement. There are no other known notes outlining this particular concern. iii) Concerns expressed by the Princess of Wales regarding her car In 1995 the Princess of Wales believed she had problems with the brakes on her car and that they had been tampered with. She told Simone Simmons and Hasnat Khan of this incident. Simone SIMMONS Complementary therapist and friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget -Statement 63 Simone Simmons stated that one day in 1995 [Paget Note: She cannot be more specific after this length of time] the Princess of Wales telephoned her from her car saying that the brakes had failed and that she thought they had been tampered with. Page 104 CHAPTER TWO The Princess of Wales subsequently wrote a note to Simone Simmons stating that MI5 or MI6 were involved. Simone Simmons believed the note read something like: ‘Dear Simone, as you know, the brakes of my car have been tampered with. If something does happen to me it will be MI5 or MI6 who will have done it. Lots of love, Diana.’ Simone Simmons did not know where the Princess of Wales got this idea from and asked her when the brakes on the car had last been checked. The Princess of Wales said that she had no idea. Simone Simmons told her to get someone to look at the car. She told her the same thing had happened to her own car in the past. Simone Simmons believed that Patrick Jephson arranged for the Princess of Wales’ car to be examined. She stated: ‘It turned out to be normal wear and tear. That was the one and only time she expressed any fear for her safety to me. Diana could be quite impulsive and jumped to conclusions. She was feeling very down at the time of the brake problems because of her separation and was taking the sleeping tablets.’ After the Princess of Wales’ mind was put at ease over the car’s brakes, Simone Simmons never heard her voice any other concerns about her safety. Hasnat KHAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 72 In 1995 he saw her driving a particular motor vehicle. When he next saw her in a car a couple of months later, which Hasnat Khan described as around December 1995, she was in a different car, a BMW. Hasnat Khan asked her what had happened to the previous car, as it was such a lovely vehicle. The Princess of Wales told him the brakes had been tampered with, so she had decided to change the car. If the Princess of Wales was referring to the same car when telling Hasnat Khan of this concern, she again is talking of her concerns some time before December 1995. Rodney TURNER Business and personal acquaintance. He provided motor vehicles to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget -Statement 88A He described the Princess of Wales’ change to driving BMW cars in different terms. In late 1995, according to Rodney Turner, the Princess of Wales became unhappy with the arrangement she had with her car supplier. She believed that when she exchanged her vehicle at a local dealership it was then being offered for sale at a premium because she had been the previous keeper. Rodney Turner said that although the car was removed from the forecourt, she was unhappy about what had happened. He discussed the situation with her and she changed to BMW motor vehicles. Page 105 CHAPTER TWO Rita ROGERS Spiritual Adviser to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget – Other Document 545 and Message 1010 Rita Rogers described herself as a medium. The Princess of Wales made personal visits on a couple of occasions and they often spoke by telephone. During one of these telephone calls, Rita Rogers told the Princess of Wales that she had had a premonition that she felt the brakes on the Princess of Wales’ car had been tampered with. There had been no previous conversation about such things. Rita Rogers stated that the Princess of Wales did not respond by saying that she had had such problems. Rita Rogers could not recall when she told the Princess of Wales of this premonition, but she believed it might have been at the time the Princess of Wales was seeing Hasnat Khan. [Paget Note: This would indicate September 1995 to July 1997.] The Princess of Wales said that she would get her brakes checked and some time later telephoned Rita Rogers saying that a problem had been found with the brakes. Steven DAVIES Private chauffeur to the Princess of Wales: 1994 – March 1997. Operation Paget - Other Document 512 Steven Davies now lives abroad. He stated that he looked after the Princess of Wales’ cars and although he did not have control of them when she was out alone, they were garaged at Kensington Palace. He drove the cars, cleaned them, checked them and took them for service. For the last six months of his employment the Princess of Wales drove herself and he just looked after the cars. He stated that the Princess of Wales never told him of a problem with the brakes. He had never been asked by her, or anyone else, to specifically check for brake problems. Had he been informed of such a thing he would have taken the car straight to the dealership for checking. John DRYDEN Car sales manager. Operation Paget - Other Document 512 John Dryden was the sales manager at the dealership handling the cars of the Princess of Wales in 1994 and 1995. He remembered Steven Davies, in the main, driving the Princess of Wales’ car. He did not remember any major problems or any safety issues, including brake problems with her cars at that time. John Dryden believed Steven Davies would have come to him with any problems as he was his point of contact at the dealership. Page 106 CHAPTER TWO Operation Paget Comment Rita Rogers told the Princess of Wales in a telephone call of her premonition that the brakes on the Princess of Wales’ car had been tampered with. It is reasonable to assume from the reaction of the Princess of Wales that there had not been a problem with her car brakes before this time. One would have expected a more significant response if the Princess of Wales had experienced such a problem. Rita Rogers cannot be certain of the date that she told the Princess of Wales of this premonition but believed the Princess of Wales was seeing Hasnat Khan at the time. [Paget Note: September 1995 - July 1997] The Princess of Wales told Simone Simmons and Hasnat Khan that she believed the brakes on her car had been tampered with. Simone Simmons could be no more specific than to date this as during 1995. Hasnat Khan believed this had occurred shortly before December 1995. The Lord Mishcon meeting with the Princess of Wales, when she spoke of her concerns for her safety took place in October 1995. The Burrell note, ‘planning an ‘accident’ in my car, brake failure and serious head injury’ was most likely, according to the evidence, written in October 1995. This evidence, taken together, may be an indication of how unhappy the Princess of Wales was in late 1995. If Rita Rogers’ comments to the Princess of Wales about car brakes being tampered with had been during the same period one can see how it may have influenced the Princess of Wales’ thoughts. Operation Paget has found no evidence to support the Princess of Wales’ stated concerns. The Princess of Wales continued driving cars after this time. Part (b) – Views on the Princess of Wales’ Concerns for her Safety Witnesses in the following section provided their views on whether the Princess of Wales had concerns for her safety and their assessment of those concerns. Those who provide evidence of this view are discussed first: Page 107 CHAPTER TWO Roberto DEVORIK A friend of the Princess of Wales, Roberto Devorik had known her since 1981. Their relationship, which was originally professional and linked to the fashion industry, progressed to friendship as he got to know the Princess of Wales while working together for various charities. He gave details of a number of conversations during which she outlined concerns for her safety. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 164 The Princess of Wales told Roberto Devorik she feared three people - Nicholas Soames, Robert Fellowes and HRH Prince Philip. She said of Robert Fellowes: ‘He hates me. He will do anything to get me out of the Royals. He cost me the friendship with my sister’ and added ‘Prince Philip wants to see me dead.’ He stated the Princess of Wales had premonitions that she would be killed and was convinced that sooner or later ‘‘they’, the ‘machinery’ were going to blow her up’. Roberto Devorik understood this to mean the ‘Establishment’ or those working in high positions in Buckingham Palace. November 1995. Roberto Devorik stated that the day after the broadcast of the ‘Panorama’ programme featuring the interview with the Princess of Wales, which he believed to be in November 1995, they travelled to Argentina. [Paget Note: This is the interview with Martin Bashir in which the Princess of Wales discussed her private life in some detail.] They did not travel together because she was concerned for his safety. On arrival in Buenos Aires after speaking to HRH Prince William on the telephone, she told Roberto Devorik, “after this they are going to kill me”. He knew she was referring to the television broadcast. He asked if she meant HRH the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales replied, “No. I am sure Prince Philip is involved with the security services. After this they are going to get rid of me.” August 1996. The day after the Princess of Wales lost her ‘HRH’ title he accompanied her on a trip to Italy. [Paget Note: The Princess of Wales lost the HRH title on 28 August 1996.] Whilst in the VIP lounge at the airport prior to departure from London, referring to a portrait of HRH Prince Philip on the wall, the Princess of Wales said, “He really hates me and would like to see me disappear”. Roberto Devorik stated that the Princess of Wales used to say, “He blames me for everything.” During the flight to Rome the Princess of Wales said to Roberto Devorik, “Well cross your fingers, any minute they will blow us up”. He told her not to say such things and asked her if she really believed it would happen. She replied, “Yes in a helicopter, a car or thing like this”. [Paget Note: Meaning, according to Roberto Devorik, a small private aircraft.] He asked why she believed this and she said, “Roberto you are so naïve. Don’t you see they took my HRH title and now they are slowly taking my kids? They are now letting me know when I can have the children.” Page 108 CHAPTER TWO He asked why ‘they’ were going to kill her and she said: “They don’t want to understand me. I am a threat in their eyes. They only use me when they need me for official functions and then they drop me again in the darkness… they are not going to kill me by poisoning me or in a big plane where others will get hurt. They will either do it when I am on a small plane, in a car when I am driving or in a helicopter. The only time I really feel safe is when I am in the USA. Everybody in America likes me. I am very popular there. The ‘Establishment’ doesn’t like me and there is no ‘Establishment’ there.” Roberto Devorik stated that in Rome the Princess of Wales had no bodyguards. She felt that if she was going to be ‘blown up’ it would happen whether she had protection or not. She also stated that she was fed up with being followed around and had anticipated she would be asked to pay for her own security following her divorce. Roberto Devorik recalled one other occasion when he invited the Princess of Wales to lunch with an actress. He could not remember the date. The actress wanted the Princess of Wales to see a production of ‘Mary, Queen of Scots’ in which she was appearing. The Princess declined saying, “I know the ending and I will finish like Mary Queen of Scots and be chopped. I am an inconvenience for them”. [Paget Note: The production ran in London from March 1996 to July 1996.] He last spoke to the Princess of Wales by telephone on Thursday 28 August 1997. She did not mention any fears at that time and was expecting to be home on Sunday or Monday. Simone SIMMONS Complementary therapist and friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 63 Telephone conversations with Operation Paget - Messages 485 and 506 Simone Simmons gave her statement to Operation Paget in September 2004. In this she said: ‘I wouldn’t say that Diana had any real fears for her life but in 1993/1994, because of her separation from Prince Charles, she thought there might be an Arab conspiracy against her. She thought this because of Charles’ friendship with the Arabs and because of the Arab culture where women must be subservient and she had ‘broken away’ from her husband.’ Simone Simmons also spoke of the incident involving the car in 1995 but she never heard the Princess of Wales voice any other concerns about her safety after that. Simone Simmons then contacted Operation Paget on 30 November 2005. (Operation Paget Message 485). She now recalled an incident in February 1997 when the Princess of Wales received a telephone call from Nicholas Soames. This information was not provided by her when making her original statement in September 2004. Page 109 CHAPTER TWO She stated that the Princess of Wales knew Nicholas Soames as he was a good friend of HRH the Prince of Wales. The Princess of Wales apparently beckoned Simone Simmons to the telephone and they placed their ears to the receiver. Simone Simmons heard a male say, "Don't meddle in things that you know nothing about because you know accidents can happen”. She stated there was an inflection in the voice which both she and the Princess of Wales found threatening. The telephone call reportedly took place shortly after the Princess of Wales had returned from a trip to Angola connected with an anti-landmine campaign. An article detailing this alleged incident was published in the ‘Daily Express’ newspaper on 5 December 2005. Nicholas Soames provided a statement to Operation Paget (Statement 187) in which he categorically denied ever having such a conversation with the Princess of Wales. St Tropez Holiday in mid-July 1997. The following statements of Mohamed Al Fayed and Lee Sansum, a bodyguard working for Mohamed Al Fayed, refer to conversations with the Princess of Wales during this holiday: Mohamed Al FAYED The Princess of Wales holidayed with Mohamed Al Fayed at his home in the South of France in mid-July 1997. The Princess of Wales was accompanied by her sons. Mohamed Al Fayed described comments she made then about her safety. Statement provided to Operation Paget - Statement 163 He stated that the Princess of Wales told him during this summer holiday that she feared she would be murdered by the Royal Family. She told Mohamed Al Fayed that she would probably go up in a helicopter and never come down alive. She also told him that she had confided in Paul Burrell and that if anything should happen to her, Paul Burrell ‘held the secrets which she had entrusted to him.’ Lee SANSUM Bodyguard employed by Mohamed Al Fayed. He was one of the security team during the family holiday in July 1997 in the South of France. He described a conversation with her following the death of Gianni Versace. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 168 He stated that on 15 July 1997 he became aware of the death of Gianni Versace. Later that day he was aboard the ‘Jonikal’ yacht and bumped into the Princess of Wales. Page 110 CHAPTER TWO ‘She had obviously been crying and said, “Have you seen in the news about what’s happened to Versace?” She may have referred to him by his first name. I said, “Did you know him” or “was he a friend”. She said, “Do you think he was murdered?” I said, “I don’t really know. I’m sure the police will find out.” The Princess of Wales then said something like, “Do you think they’ll do that to me?” or “Do you think they’ll kill me / murder me?” ’ Lee Sansum stated that his understanding of the term ‘they’ was ‘the ‘Establishment’, and by that he meant the British government. Kevin SULLIVAN and Christopher TARR Metropolitan Police Service Personal Protection Officers. They accompanied HRH Prince William and HRH Prince Harry on the holiday in St Tropez in 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statements 190 and 191 Both stated that neither the Princess of Wales nor any other member of the party expressed any concerns regarding their personal security or safety. Lady Sarah McCORQUODALE Sister of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 53A Lady Sarah told her sister that ‘she was wrong to get rid of her protection officer’ but the Princess of Wales said, “There’s nothing I can’t deal with”. The Princess of Wales ‘often felt she was better off without one’. Lucia FLECHA DE LIMA Friend of the Princess of Wales from 1991 onwards. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 61 The Princess of Wales never spoke of any fear of danger, although in 1991 or 1992 the Princess of Wales believed that the IRA was planning something against her. In her statement, Lucia Flecha de Lima said: ‘She often stayed away or stayed alone in Kensington Palace. She wouldn’t have done so if she feared for her safety. She never feared Charles. Prince Philip tried to help her during the difficult period of her marriage, in his own way. He was sometimes a bit brutal. I have read the letters. They were not unkind. He is a clever man. He would not hurt her. The divorce was over and the finances were settled. There was no reason for anyone to kill her.’ Page 111 CHAPTER TWO Susan KASSEM Friend of the Princess of Wales from 1994 onwards. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 42 and 42A She stated that the Princess of Wales never mentioned any fears for her safety. If she was down about something she believed the Princess of Wales would discuss it with her but she never mentioned fearing for her life. Susan Kassem said: ‘I have lots of letters from Diana. She never mentioned any fears for her own safety. I believe she had an impossible life. The press gave her no privacy. If she were down about something she would discuss it with me. She never said anything about being worried about her life. She implied she did not get on very well with the Duke of Edinburgh. I think their relationship was a little tense or awkward. I do not know why.’ Susan Kassem last spoke to the Princess of Wales on Saturday 30 August 1997. She said: ‘The last time we spoke Diana had just arrived at the hotel. I think it was between 9pm and 10pm London time. I was at home. It was a very quick call and I cannot remember the content of it but it was probably words to the effect of “Have a safe flight, see you Monday”. She said she would ring me the next day after she had landed and was back home. She did not say whether she would be ringing anyone else that evening and at no time did she mention any fears she may have had for her safety.’ The Honourable Rosa MONCKTON Friend of the Princess of Wales from 1989 onwards. They holidayed together in Greece aboard a private boat in mid-August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 43 The Princess of Wales never mentioned that she feared for her life, nor to Rosa Monckton’s knowledge had she written about anyone trying to kill her. She believed that the Princess of Wales would have discussed any fears she may have had with her but she had not mentioned anything. Rosa Monckton stated: ‘We returned from our holiday on the 20th August and in fact, the Princess dropped me off at my home. I last spoke to Diana on the Wednesday before her death. I rang her on her personal mobile in the early afternoon. I believe her number was….., which I kept in code at the back of my diary. I was one of a very small amount of people who knew her number. She was on holiday with Dodi and we only had a very brief conversation. She told me it was ‘bliss’ but said that she wanted to get back home to be with her sons. She was also missing the gym.’ Page 112 CHAPTER TWO Lana MARKS Friend of the Princess of Wales from 1996 onwards. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 115 She did not think that the Princess of Wales worried about her own safety. She thought that if the Princess of Wales had such concerns, she would have discussed them with her. Shirley CONRAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. She had known the Princess of Wales as an acquaintance since before the Royal marriage and they became friends in 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 39 She felt certain that if the Princess of Wales had been fearful for her safety she would have told the police and would probably have mentioned it to her. She was not aware of the Princess of Wales ever having received any death threats, though they had talked at length about stalkers. The Princess of Wales was certainly not frightened on 30 July 1997 when Shirley Conran last saw her. Lady Annabel GOLDSMITH Friend of the Princess of Wales from the early 1980s onwards. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 46 She stated: ‘I do not think at all that Diana feared Prince Charles. In fact, I don’t even think it would have entered her mind. I have hundreds of letters from her and there is nothing to suggest she was scared. They are all very sweet letters.’ Jemima KHAN Friend of the Princess of Wales since June 1995. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 105 The Princess of Wales never mentioned any fears she may have had. Hasnat KHAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 72 Hasnat Khan stated that the Princess of Wales was concerned about her safety but was not paranoid about it. She never talked to him about any fears she had other than the incident when she claimed the brakes of her car had been tampered with. Page 113 CHAPTER TWO Paul BURRELL Butler to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statements 24A and 24B He stated that the Princess of Wales felt ‘somewhat vulnerable’ in public but was wary of her Personal Protection Officers because their senior officer was also a Personal Protection Officer for HRH the Prince of Wales. Because of this the officers ‘naturally reported on the Princess’s’ activities.’ The Princess of Wales could have had personal security had she wanted it and was not at all concerned about her own safety. Any concerns that she had were more around media intrusion. [Paget Note: The Princess of Wales asked for her personal protection to be withdrawn in December 1993. This had been provided by the MPS.] Paul Burrell’s view was that if the Princess of Wales really had believed there was a threat to her life she would not have continued with her mother as named executor of her will. They had fallen out before the Princess of Wales’ death. She would also have ensured her personal affairs were in much better order to protect her sons’ interests after her death. Patrick JEPHSON Private Secretary to the Princess of Wales until 1996. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 23 He believed the Princess of Wales had developed a defensive state of mind that was in his view, ‘exacerbated by having unwisely dispensed with police close protection’. He believed the Princess of Wales was under stress and he thought she was ‘vulnerable to those who wished to exploit her fears for their own ends’. He was concerned that by appearing susceptible to conspiracy theories she was, ‘playing into the hands of those who wished to dismiss her as mentally frail and a liability to the Royal Family.’ Michael GIBBINS Private Secretary to the Princess of Wales at the time of her death. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 60 Michael Gibbins stated: ‘I have been asked whether the Princess of Wales ever talked to me about her fears of being involved in a road traffic incident or any other fears in respect of her personal safety. She never talked to me about a motor accident deliberately set up to hurt her, but she was aware that because of her high profile status measures needed to be taken and that she needed to be careful. I am aware that in the car she was a touch jumpy when being followed by other vehicles or motorcycles; in my opinion more for the safety of others than concern for herself.’ Page 114 CHAPTER TWO Michael Gibbins further stated on more general safety and security issues: ‘Generally the Princess was very concerned that the presence of personal protection got in the way of her having a life. She was acutely aware however that if she was on an official engagement especially abroad with her sons then her police protection was vital. If the Princess had a forthcoming engagement my office would link in with the police and they would describe what level of personal protection was in place. Whatever advice they gave was followed. Outside of these engagements I was not involved at all. I was comforted to a large degree that her drivers were ex Royalty protection officers.’ Colin TEBBUTT Security consultant and driver for the Princess of Wales at the time of her death. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 41 Colin Tebbutt stated: ‘I have been asked whether the Princess of Wales had mentioned to me any fears of her becoming involved in a Traffic Incident. I can categorically state that whilst I was in her employ, she never mentioned to me any such fears, or any other safety fears that she had, for that matter.’ Colin HAYWOOD-TRIMMING Former Personal Protection Officer to TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 93 The Princess of Wales never expressed any concerns over her personal safety. At official engagements there were rare incidents when people would come out of crowds towards her. Hoax bomb calls and threats allegedly from the Provisional IRA were received, but this was the case with most members of the Royal Family. To his knowledge the Princess of Wales was never specifically targeted by anyone. Kenneth WHARFE Former Personal Protection Officer to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 35 He travelled hundreds of miles on motorways throughout the United Kingdom with the Princess of Wales. She would often pass comment to the effect that “we could be killed in a road accident”. He asked her why and she replied, “Because we spend too much time in the car”. On passing the scenes of accidents she would say, “That could have been us”. ‘The Princess did not have any premonitions, she just saw car accidents as a fact of life. She never suggested to me that she might be murdered in one. Never once did she make any remarks similar to those that appeared in Paul Burrell’s letter.’ Page 115 CHAPTER TWO Rodney TURNER Business and personal acquaintance. He provided motor vehicles to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 88 He was not aware of the Princess of Wales having fears of being killed or injured. He stated: ‘I know that she suffered from severe lows, especially during her divorce, but I am not aware of Diana having any particular fears of being killed or injured.’ and ‘The only other comment that springs to mind is that around the time of the divorce the IRA made some sort of announcement that she would be a target. I’ve looked in my files and found a press cutting dated 29th February 1996 referring to this …. She said, “If it’s not the IRA, it’s my husband.” She only said it jokingly; she was not in a distressed state about it. I can say, with my hand on my heart that she did not take it seriously.’ The Princess of Wales never expressed any concerns to Rodney Turner about her safety in respect of driving. The only concern she expressed was about the photographers when they opened the car doors as she was moving off. Consequently a dead lock system was fitted to her car. Richard KAY Journalist and press contact. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 87 The Princess of Wales never expressed any fears of physical attack and never mentioned that she was frightened, telling Richard Kay on many occasions that ‘her fame was her protection’ and ‘She knew that she was never going to be Queen, but I don’t think she ever said to me, somebody “is going to kill me”, nothing like that.’ Dr Lily YU Practitioner in Chinese medicine, consulted by the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 109 During her conversations with the Princess of Wales no mention was ever made of any fears for her safety, although Dr Yu did not think she would have discussed this sort of thing with her. Page 116 CHAPTER TWO Peter SETTELEN Speech coach, consulted by the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 202 He had no recollection of the Princess of Wales telling him she was afraid of being killed. He recalled her once commenting on how easy it would be for someone to tamper with the brakes of a car but, given the passage of time, twelve years on, he was unable to say how fearfully it was said. He last spoke to the Princess of Wales in March 1994. Grahame HARDING Provided technical security advice and secure telephones to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 26A The Princess of Wales never spoke to him about her personal safety or protection arrangements. Operation Paget Comment Roberto Devorik gave the most specific information about conversations with the Princess of Wales when she did speak of her concerns. Much of his evidence referred to comments that HRH Prince Philip wanted to harm her. Where dated, these concerns were voiced by the Princess of Wales in 1995 and 1996. Simone Simmons referred in her statement to the incident involving the Princess of Wales’ car and her concern about brake tampering, but she also stated that the Princess of Wales did not have any fears for her life. It is not known why she did not volunteer the information about the alleged telephone call from Nicholas Soames when she made her statement to Operation Paget in 2004. The inference, from the context in which the telephone call was allegedly made, is that the threat was linked to the Princess of Wales’ anti-landmine campaign. Mohamed Al Fayed and Lee Sansum referred to conversations with the Princess of Wales during the St Tropez holiday in mid-July 1997 in which she expressed concerns about her safety. The MPS Personal Protection Officers accompanying the Royal Princes on that holiday provided evidence that no one informed them of any concerns. Family members, friends and acquaintances of the Princess of Wales commented that she did not have concerns for her safety that they believed to be genuine, or she did not talk to them about such issues. Chapter Sixteen details enquiries made at the Secret Intelligence Service and Security Service. All enquiries there showed no link to any of these events. Page 117 CHAPTER TWO In October 1995, the probable time that she felt her brakes were tampered with, the Princess of Wales was sufficiently concerned about her safety to call a meeting with Lord Mishcon and, it is also likely, to have left the note for Paul Burrell. In these instances the Princess of Wales essentially repeated her same basic concern. However, one should exercise caution when considering a repeated claim to be corroborating evidence. Operation Paget has found no supporting evidence to show there were any grounds for these concerns even though they were clearly held at that time by the Princess of Wales. 2. Surveillance Issues The Princess of Wales’ concerns about eavesdropping The witness evidence indicated that the Princess of Wales believed that her telephone conversations were being listened to; she was being monitored; or being followed. The following make specific reference to this belief. Roberto DEVORIK A friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 164 He recounted the Princess of Wales telling him that on one occasion she left Kensington Palace in a vehicle without telling anyone and without any security. As she drove, she believed someone was following in another vehicle. He said that, ‘She didn’t think they were very professional and she was sure it wasn’t the police. She telephoned me very upset. She said, “Somebody wants to hurt me”.’ Richard KAY Journalist and press contact. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 87 He asked her who would be bugging her telephone lines and she said the ‘police or Security Services’. Asked why, she said it was because they wanted to know what she was doing. Richard Kay tried to reassure her by telling her that this could be in order to keep her safe because she did not have any armed protection. He also said that the Princess of Wales would change her mobile telephone number from time to time when she fell out with friends and others. As an example, early in 1997 she told Richard Kay that she had changed her number because she had fallen out with Simone Simmons. Page 118 CHAPTER TWO Gerald POSNER American investigative journalist and author. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 116 He referred to a recording of a telephone conversation that he listened to that he stated had been intercepted by the United States National Security Agency. ‘I was able to listen to a small portion of a conversation that had apparently taken place between her and Diana, Princess of Wales during a phone conversation. That conversation was evidently intercepted electronically by the NSA, having originated from the Brazilian Embassy in Washington. I could only decipher a British woman and a woman with a slight Hispanic accent talking about hairstyles.’ This incident is examined in Chapter Fifteen. The inference from Gerald Posner is that the telephone call was listened to from the Brazilian end of the conversation rather than that of the Princess of Wales. The source, known only to Gerald Posner, has declined to meet Operation Paget and so the information remains uncorroborated. Grahame HARDING He is the owner of an electronics and security company. He was asked to help the Princess of Wales as she thought she was the subject of eavesdropping. He first visited Kensington Palace in 1994. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 26A Grahame Harding stated: ‘The Princess of Wales told me that she was concerned that people were listening into her conversations and that there were listening devices in her apartments including her bedroom. She talked about ‘dark forces’, but other than questioning the existence of listening devices, she never said who she suspected of spying on her. When she did say things like this, I thought, “Why would anyone try to do that”? She probably had all these thoughts simply building up inside her mind and in my opinion she was making something out of nothing. I didn’t have the feeling that she was paranoid in general but I thought she was more concerned than I thought she needed to be. I tried to reassure her. I explained to the Princess of Wales, that listening devices in reality, unlike those depicted television, were more difficult to use and that their batteries were prone to fail very quickly. In order to allay her fears and to reassure her, I conducted a limited sweep of her premises using equipment that was not very sophisticated and would only locate the normal or basic type of listening devices.’ He always dealt with the Princess of Wales personally and conducted several sweeps of her apartments. These were limited to electronic sweeps as he did not have people in his organisation who did physical searches. The Princess of Wales contacted him by pager and he would call her to establish what she required. Page 119 CHAPTER TWO In 1994, soon after the Princess of Wales started using his services: ‘Whilst conducting a sweep for listening devices my equipment detected an electronic signal, which indicated that a possible bugging device may have been present behind a wall in her bedroom. Princess Diana was present when I found this signal. I did not know what was on the other side of this wall and was not able to investigate further as I did not have access. From memory on the side of the wall that I had access to, there was no evidence of disturbance to the wall or fixtures. The next time I did a sweep of this area, which was a day or two later, the signal it had gone. I did not tell anyone of my findings and do not know if Princess Diana looked into it further. I cannot give an explanation as to what caused the reading I got. It could have been innocent electronic equipment in the next room. Had it been a sophisticated listening device, I would not have expected to find it.’ ‘I searched for electronic devices in the Princess’s apartment at Kensington Palace on three or four occasions over a period of five or six weeks, but this was in the early days. I cannot recall doing it in the later years.’ In 1995, transcripts of the Princess’s personal telephone conversations with James Hewitt had been printed in the press. She said it would be nice to have a telephone that could not be traced back to her. Grahame Harding suggested obtaining a mobile telephone in his name so that he could give her the telephone but the billing would be sent to him and she could pay the bills through him. She agreed and he opened a mobile telephone account for her. Grahame Harding told the Princess of Wales that the phone was digital and these were very hard to listen in to. He believed she spoke to her friends quite freely on that mobile telephone, but would rarely use her home telephone. Over the two years or so that he provided the Princess of Wales with her mobile telephones she asked him to change the number on numerous occasions, once after only three weeks. Operation Paget Comment The evidence showed that the Princess of Wales believed that her telephone conversations were being listened to and there may have been attempts to listen to her conversations at home. This was not an irrational concern. There is substantive evidence from the broadcast of her personal telephone conversations with, for example, James Gilbey, to show that conversations had been recorded. It would appear that the mobile telephones supplied to her by Grahame Harding gave her reassurance that the digital signals, rather than the analogue signals of the James Gilbey conversation, were very difficult to intercept. The Princess of Wales was still very wary of speaking on landlines. Although he did detect some form of signal while electronically sweeping her apartment in 1994, Grahame Harding did not find any devices. Her concerns about physical surveillance were expressed to Roberto Devorik on the one occasion she believed she was being following by unidentified people. Page 120 CHAPTER TWO The evidence of what is termed the ‘Security Services’ is examined in detail in Chapter Sixteen. Operation Paget has found no evidence of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) or Security Service monitoring telephone calls of the Princess of Wales. 3. The Princess of Wales’ relationship with the Royal Family This section looks at the evidence available with respect to the claims of Mohamed Al Fayed that the Princess of Wales feared other members of the Royal Family were seeking to do her harm. The main allegation of Mohamed Al Fayed specifically names HRH Prince Philip as being the person responsible for a conspiracy to murder his son and the Princess of Wales. He also specifically refers to HRH Prince Philip sending ‘vitriolic letters’ to the Princess of Wales. The inference throughout the allegation is that some of the malice allegedly directed towards the Princess of Wales, and part of the motive for having her killed, was because she was having a relationship with Dodi Al Fayed, a Muslim. HRH Prince Philip, when contacted by Operation Paget, saw no reason to comment on any of these claims. Paul BURRELL Butler to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statements 24A and 24B He stated that the Princess of Wales’ correspondence included several letters from HRH Prince Philip. He is not in possession of any of them now. Some he said could be described as startling with a tone that was quite cutting and cruel, but at other times they were supportive and kind. According to Paul Burrell, HRH Prince Philip never displayed any angry bitterness or vindictive behaviour towards the Princess of Wales and never made any threats to her, either directly or indirectly. Paul Burrell described them as having a mutual respect for each other. They got on much better than is generally perceived. HRH Prince Philip could be direct, but would also give the Princess of Wales support and wrote notes to her on many occasions. Although there had been animosity between TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales at the time of the divorce, they were on cordial terms when she died. The last time Paul Burrell saw them together at Kensington Palace they were very friendly to one another. HRH the Prince of Wales was a kind person generally and Paul Burrell never ‘…had any thought or information that he would harm the Princess in any way’. Paul Burrell stated that, at the time of her death, the Princess of Wales had just come out of a long-term relationship with Hasnat Khan and she was still not over it. She had ended the relationship because she could not see how it would progress with all the difficulties attached to it. He believed she was still in love with Hasnat Khan when she died. Page 121 CHAPTER TWO He also believed that the Princess of Wales would have married Hasnat Khan if she could but there were great problems because of the religious and cultural differences. He believed Hasnat Khan found her huge fame difficult to handle as he was dedicated to his profession as a heart surgeon. The Princess of Wales talked of marriage to Hasnat Khan and asked Paul Burrell, some time around December 1996, to see if a secret marriage ceremony was legally possible. He made enquiries on her behalf and found that this could not be done without informing the appropriate authorities. Hasnat KHAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 72 The Princess of Wales had a relationship with Hasnat Khan for nearly two years, from September 1995 until just before she died. Hasnat Khan stated that the media became aware of the closeness of the relationship around November 1995. He stated that if he and the Princess of Wales had married, as far as he was concerned, she would not have had to convert to the Muslim faith. The Princess of Wales used to read about Islam and she would tell him what she had learned. However, she never said she would convert to the Muslim faith and he never asked her to do this. Hasnat Khan told her that the only way he could see them having any sort of normal life together was if they went to live in Pakistan as the press did not bother people there. He knew that the Princess of Wales considered this an option for a while. She even went to Pakistan to speak to Jemima Khan about life there. However, after a while she no longer talked about Pakistan and although she did not actually say so, Hasnat Khan got the impression that she no longer considered living there a possibility. Hasnat Khan stated that around the end of 1996 or the beginning of 1997, the Princess of Wales asked Paul Burrell to talk to a priest about the feasibility of them getting married in secret. He knew nothing about this until afterwards when both the Princess of Wales and Paul Burrell told him. When he found out, he said to the Princess of Wales, “Do you honestly think you can just bring a priest here and get married?” He thought it was a ridiculous idea. He believed that in her head she wanted to get married but practically she had not thought about the implications. They had an argument about it once and he told her she could not just jump into something like that. She just said that everything would be alright. Hasnat Khan did not know the Royal Family. He did not know if there would be a problem for them had she remarried. Hasnat Khan stated he would be very naïve to think that MI5 or MI6 did not have an interest in him because of his relationship with the Princess of Wales. However, he really did not think he was ever under any threat from the authorities. Page 122 CHAPTER TWO During his relationship with the Princess of Wales he received a lot of anonymous threats through the post, some clearly of a racist nature. This was very stressful for him. He did not inform anyone and did not do anything about it, although he did mention it once to the Princess of Wales. He did not want her to worry about it as he knew she tried so hard to protect him. He destroyed all of this mail. He thought the Princess of Wales did not have a good relationship with her mother. He believed she did not approve of her daughter seeing a Pakistani and a Muslim and the Princess of Wales stopped talking to her mother because of this. They did not discuss her relationship with HRH Prince Charles but Hasnat Khan believed that she had got over the separation. In relation to other members of the Royal Family, the Princess of Wales was always very complimentary about Her Majesty the Queen and although she did not like HRH Prince Philip, she never expressed any fear of him. Jemima KHAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 105 Jemima Khan was asked about the relationship between the Princess of Wales and Hasnat Khan and the visit of the Princess of Wales to Pakistan. She stated: ‘…Diana and I had a discussion about how difficult a relationship with a Pakistani man could be. In retrospect, I realise that she probably wanted hints from me on how to understand the culture and endear herself to his family but I was too wrapped up in my own life to be very much help to her.’ ‘I used to see a lot of Diana then [Paget Note: In 1997]. Diana’s second visit to Pakistan was around June 1997 and we travelled there together on my father’s plane. Our trip lasted about two days as I was keen to get back to see my father. Whilst we were in Pakistan, Diana stayed with my husband and me. Although she was there to support Imran’s cancer charity, she also used the opportunity to meet Hasnat’s family and in particular his mother. She funded both her trips to Pakistan herself. She was very emotionally involved with Hasnat at that time. My sisters-in-law …accompanied Diana when she went for tea with Hasnat’s family.’ Father Anthony PARSONS Carmelite Priest and friend of Paul Burrell. He described an enquiry from Paul Burrell regarding the marriage of a Muslim and a non-Catholic in a Catholic church. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 68 Father Parsons recalled an evening with Paul Burrell and his wife at Paul Burrell’s home. At some point during the course of the evening Paul Burrell asked him, “Is it possible for a Muslim to marry a non-Catholic in a Catholic Church?” Father Parsons answered that he was, ‘not sure but I would find out from the powers that be if you want me to’. Page 123 CHAPTER TWO He was not sure exactly when Paul Burrell asked him this question, but he never followed through with it fully because it was around the time of the Princess of Wales’ death. He cannot be sure, as he never kept a diary. Father Parsons stated that Paul Burrell implied the Princess of Wales was behind the enquiry without mentioning her by name and that he would appreciate the Father exercising his discretion. [Paget Note: Paul Burrell stated that the Princess of Wales asked him to make this enquiry in December 1996. Father Parsons believed the evening with Paul Burrell was in 1997. Hasnat Khan believed this was either the end of 1996 or the beginning of 1997.] Father Parsons recalled the question being whether a non-Catholic and a Muslim could use a Catholic church as a place to be married. He knew that in order for a Catholic to marry someone from the Church of England, permission has to be sought. He mentioned the theory in passing with his Carmelite brothers, but he certainly did not mention the provenance of the question posed. Roberto DEVORIK Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 164 Roberto Devorik was asked to comment on a newspaper article in the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ allegedly quoting him as saying ‘The love of Diana’s life was Pakistani physician Hasnat Khan.’ He stated: ‘I have been asked by police to confirm that I said this and to explain the meaning behind it. I did say this but I did not actually meet Dr Khan. One day when I was at Kensington Palace having sandwiches with Diana she was keen for me to leave on time. I could tell that she was expecting somebody important. On my way out I saw a man coming in. When asked Paul Burrell told me it was Dr Khan. I cannot remember when this was. Diana told me that was the kind of man she would have married. He was sensitive and had a great sense of humanity. She also told me that Dr Khan was a very spiritual man and very kind. I asked why she didn’t marry him and she told me that there would have been a whole cultural and social problem with it. She said that she had caused a lot of anxiety to his family.’ Page 124 CHAPTER TWO Earlier in part 1 (b) of this Chapter, Roberto Devorik had outlined conversations with the Princess of Wales when she talked to him of her fear of HRH Prince Philip and her beliefs that he was involved with the Security Services and wanted to get rid of her. In Statement 164, Roberto Devorik stated: ‘I have been asked by police if I have any letters from Diana where she mentions or refers to her fears or dangers she had. I have a lot of letters from Diana as that was the way she liked to communicate with her friends, but none of them mention such things. She never compromised herself in her letters. She would not discuss private matters in her letters. She did mention in one letter she sent me the fact that she will become free and looked forward to using her own passport.’ Lady Annabel GOLDSMITH Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 46 She did not think that the Princess of Wales feared HRH Prince Charles. She had hundreds of letters from the Princess of Wales and they contained nothing to suggest that she was afraid. As far as she was aware HRH Prince Charles would not have had a problem with the two Princes having a Muslim stepfather as he welcomed all faiths. She did not know if marrying a Muslim would have caused a problem with the rest of the Royal Family as the topic never arose in conversation. The Honourable Rosa MONCKTON Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 43 She stated that HRH Prince Philip was ‘entirely supportive of Diana and was trying to help her leading up to her separation from Prince Charles.’ She stated that HRH Prince Philip told the Princess of Wales ‘how difficult it had been for him to get used to Royal life; having to give up a career and to always be one step behind.’ Lucia FLECHA DE LIMA Friend of the Princess of Wales from 1991 onwards. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 61 She stated that the Princess of Wales never feared HRH Prince Charles and that: ‘Prince Philip tried to help her during the difficult period of her marriage, in his own way. He was sometimes a bit brutal. I have read the letters. They were not unkind. He is a clever man. He would not hurt her. The divorce was over and the finances were settled. There was no reason for anyone to kill her.’ Page 125 CHAPTER TWO Rodney TURNER Business and personal acquaintance of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 88 He stated that although the Princess of Wales had been ostracised by a lot of HRH Prince Charles’ friends he would never say that she feared him and that at the time of her death Rodney Turner believed she was still in love with him. James HEWITT Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 97 He stated that in the period leading up to her death, the Princess of Wales’ relationship with the rest of the Royal Family was ‘pretty low’. Shirley CONRAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 39 She stated that the Princess of Wales seemed fond of Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Philip but she loathed ‘The Palace’. Her relationship towards HRH Prince Charles was ‘bitter’. Susan KASSEM Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 42 She stated: ‘I have lots of letters from Diana. She never mentioned any fears for her own safety. I believe she had an impossible life. The press gave her no privacy. If she were down about something she would discuss it with me. She never said anything about being worried about her life. She implied she did not get on very well with Prince Philip. I think their relationship was a little tense or awkward. I do not know why. She did not speak about other members of the Royal Family much. She said the Queen and Princess Margaret were very supportive.’ She and the Princess of Wales did not really talk about things that had happened in her life before they met in 1994 but she thought the Princess’s relationship with HRH Prince Charles ‘was a bit tense just before her death, just as any relationship when divorce takes place and theirs was a very public divorce.’ Page 126 CHAPTER TWO Colin HAYWOOD-TRIMMING Former Personal Protection Officer to TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 93 He stated that the Princess of Wales: ‘…felt that the system was against her… that the ‘Establishment’, that she called ‘men in grey suits’, i.e. the Private Secretary’s Office at Buckingham Palace and at St James’ Palace, did not always have her best interest at heart. She felt that they were putting obstacles in her way, and preventing her from doing some of the projects that she wanted to do. This feeling became more pronounced following the break down of the marriage, the separation and the divorce…. She never expressed to me any fears of any physical danger. She simply felt that they were putting up barriers and making her life difficult.’ Simone SIMMONS Complementary therapist and friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 63 She stated that HRH Prince Philip wrote ‘…nasty letters to Diana and also to Sarah Ferguson’ around 1993/1994, but these stopped at the time of the divorce. She read some of these letters and explained how the content of the letters was nasty in a personal sense, not a threatening one. After the crash, Simone Simmons burned all the letters and documents the Princess of Wales had given her for safekeeping. Lady Sarah McCORQUODALE Eldest sister of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 53E She stated, ‘I have been asked today about my knowledge of correspondence sent from the Duke of Edinburgh [HRH Prince Philip] to my sister, Diana, Princess of Wales. Whilst she was alive I remember a conversation regarding letters she had received from her father in law; I believe these letters were in connection to her separation to the Prince of Wales and she mentioned them to me because the media had decided that these letters were attacking her, which they were not. She never mentioned receiving any threats from The Duke of Edinburgh at any time. I confirm that I have never seen any correspondence from the Duke of Edinburgh to my sister.’ Lady Sarah then explained that at the beginning of 1998, in the company of Paul Burrell, she opened a chest that had belonged to the Princess of Wales. They examined the contents for around thirty minutes. Inside was a plastic sleeve containing a large amount of correspondence regarding the Princess of Wales’ divorce. Lady Sarah also described correspondence in a desk in the Princess of Wales’ sitting room that was about the size of a small filing cabinet. She believed this was where the Princess of Wales kept her letters. Page 127 CHAPTER TWO Lady Sarah was certain that there were no letters from HRH Prince Philip in either the desk or the chest. Roger MILBURN Police Officer in the MPS. During the course of a separate investigation, Roger Milburn made notes relating to a conversation he had with Lady Sarah McCorquodale in 2000 regarding the contents of the chest. In 2000 the chest was empty. Roger Milburn made notes of the missing property as he believed it was described to him by Lady Sarah. His notes showed one of the items as ‘Letters Prince Philip’. Lady Sarah is aware of this anomaly between her account and Roger Milburn’s, but she is sure that she has never stated the chest contained letters from Prince Philip. Roger Milburn confirmed that during the course of his investigation the contents of the chest were never found by police or ever brought into their possession. Paul Burrell said in his statement to Operation Paget: ‘The Princess received several letters from Prince Philip but I am not in possession of any of them.’ A search has been made of relevant MPS systems to identify any reference to property that could be letters written by HRH Prince Philip. The MPS does not have any such letters. Specific enquiries have been made with the Exhibits Officer involved in the Paul Burrell trial. No letters written by HRH Prince Philip ever came into police possession in that investigation. Operation Paget Comment i) The Princess of Wales did receive letters from HRH Prince Philip. No one claims to have possession of any of these letters any longer. There are differences in the accounts of the content of these letters by those who refer to them. Paul Burrell and Lucia Flecha de Lima have seen letters and stated they did not contain any threats. Paul Burrell said ‘some could be described as startling with a tone that was quite cutting and cruel but at other times they were supportive and kind’. Simone Simmons talked of ‘nasty letters’ from HRH Prince Philip in 1993/1994 but these stopped when the couple were getting divorced. She explained how the content of the letters was nasty in a personal sense, not a threatening one. The relationship between the Princess of Wales and HRH Prince Philip was described in ways that could range from closeness to hostility. Only in the case of Roberto Devorik’s accounts of his conversations with the Princess of Wales could it be described as physically threatening. Page 128 CHAPTER TWO There was an anomaly in the evidence regarding letters from HRH Prince Philip that may have been retained in a chest belonging to the Princess of Wales. Her sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale was clear in her recollection that the chest did not contain letters from HRH Prince Philip and that her sister never mentioned receiving threats from him at any time. ii) The Princess of Wales had a very close relationship with Hasnat Khan, a Muslim, for about two years until just before her death. This relationship was not hidden, they stayed at each other’s homes and Hasnat Khan met her children, HRH Prince William and HRH Prince Harry. The Princess of Wales asked her butler Paul Burrell to make enquiries about the feasibility of marrying a Muslim, Hasnat Khan. Hasnat Khan stated he would be very naïve to think that MI5 or MI6 did not have an interest in him because of his relationship with the Princess of Wales. However, he really did not think he was ever under any threat from the authorities. There was no evidence that during his relationship with the Princess of Wales, Hasnat Khan was subject to any threat, directly or indirectly, from the Royal Family or any other figure or agency of authority. He did receive anonymous threats through the post that he destroyed. Hasnat Khan has described such letters in terms that indicate racist motives. 4. The Safety of People Close to the Princess of Wales It is alleged that the Princess of Wales had close friendships with two people, James Hewitt and Barry Mannakee, who were consequently subjected to threats and/or actions by the ‘Establishment’. An article appeared in the national press in 2004 stating that James Hewitt had talked about specific threats made to him by MI5. These were linked to Barry Mannakee, a former Personal Protection Officer, sometimes assigned to the Princess of Wales, who died in a motorcycle crash in 1987. James HEWITT James Hewitt stated that he had a relationship with the Princess of Wales between 1986 and 1991. He gave details of the alleged warnings and threats he received during this time. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 97 He was unsure as to whether the Princess of Wales feared for her own safety. She might have made the odd passing comment about her safety, but nothing specific and nothing he thought she meant. He believed the Princess of Wales was fairly paranoid about her safety and the safety of people around her. He had ‘warnings’ from the Royal Family, in particular from George Milford-Haven, whom he described as a friend. Around 1989, George Milford-Haven said that James Hewitt should be very careful in his relationship with the Princess of Wales. The warning was very ambiguous and James Hewitt did not know if he was trying to warn him off in a friendly way or if he was acting under instruction. Page 129 CHAPTER TWO Despite this, he and the Princess of Wales carried on seeing each other until 1991 and, as James Hewitt remarked, obviously nothing happened to him. He believed the Royal Household might have felt that the relationship had gone on too long and that it would be better if it ended, although this was not something he knew for sure and he did not know why he was warned. Around 1990, whilst stationed in Germany, he received threats regarding his relationship with the Princess of Wales. They consisted of three telephone calls over a four or five week period from an unidentified male caller. The calls were direct and not very long, each one telling him not to contact or see the Princess of Wales any longer. He again felt the threats were ambiguous and did not pay much attention to them, although he did discuss them with the Princess of Wales. He stated she was pretty non-committal and could not throw any light on who was making the threats or why. He did not receive any other specific warnings or threats during his relationship with the Princess of Wales. Her Personal Protection Officers would often warn him to be aware of his own safety but these were warnings of a general nature that he could be in danger because of who she was. He considered the officers to be very professional. James Hewitt believed that his relationship with the Princess of Wales was widely known amongst the police, Security Services, the Royal Household and their advisors, which would have included the Government. It seemed to him that details of their relationship were kept back until such time as its exposure in the press would have had the most impact. He dismissed the ‘Daily Mail’ article of 11 September 2004 in which it was reported that he was warned by MI5 that if he did not stop seeing the Princess of Wales he would suffer the same fate as Barry Mannakee and die in a road accident as ‘complete rubbish.’ He stated he has never been warned by MI5. The Princess of Wales did discuss Barry Mannakee with him and she told him that they had been close. She believed Barry Mannakee was killed because of this. James Hewitt understood that at the time Barry Mannakee died he had been moved to another job within the police and was no longer in contact with the Princess of Wales. Barry MANNAKEE i) Introduction Barry Mannakee was a Metropolitan Police Service Personal Protection Officer who died in a road traffic crash in May 1987. He had served for a number of years providing close protection to many VIPs where the risk assessment indicated a possible threat to that person. This was a specialised post. By the very nature of the role, these highly trained officers had to be in close proximity to their principals in order to afford them the degree of protection required. At one time Barry Mannakee had responsibility for the protection of HRH Prince William and HRH Prince Harry. At times he would also assist the designated officers in the protection of the Princess of Wales. Page 130 CHAPTER TWO Seven months before his death he had been transferred from the Royalty Protection Department, which manages the personal protection of VIPs, to the Diplomatic Protection Group, which has a more general role in protecting diplomatic personnel and premises. The collision in which Barry Mannakee died occurred in East London. He was the passenger on a motorcycle ridden by a police colleague with whom he had just finished duty. A car, driven by a seventeen year old girl who had recently passed her driving test, pulled out from a junction across the path of the oncoming motorcycle. The motorcycle rider took avoiding action but lost control of the motorcycle. Both rider and pillion passenger came off and hit the side of the car. The rider survived the impact but Barry Mannakee died at the scene. The driver of the car suffered minor injuries. The driver of the car pleaded guilty to and was convicted of driving without due care and attention under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1972. Such a prosecution was in accordance, both then and now, with the charging standards agreed between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service for this offence. ii) Views Expressed by the Princess of Wales on Barry Mannakee’s Death Paul BURRELL Butler to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 24A He stated that the Princess of Wales believed Barry Mannakee had been deliberately killed in a motorcycle accident. Kenneth WHARFE Former Personal Protection Officer to the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 35 He stated, ‘When Barry Manakee, one of her former personal protection officers died in a motorbike accident in May 1987, she did say to me “I know your lot didn’t like him, you probably bumped him off” and laughed. She did not believe that his death was anything other than an accident.’ Hasnat KHAN Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 72 He stated that the Princess of Wales was convinced that Barry Mannakee was murdered. She felt it was not normal for a motorbike to have a head-on collision with a truck. Hasnat Khan told her that such things do happen. Page 131 CHAPTER TWO Colin HAYWOOD-TRIMMING Former Personal Protection Officer to TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 93 He became aware that the Princess of Wales had expressed her view to employees at Kensington Palace that the accident in which Barry Mannakee died had been arranged. She felt that his death had been arranged by the ‘system’ the ‘Establishment’, although she never spoke to him about this personally. James HEWITT Friend of the Princess of Wales. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 97 He stated the Princess of Wales thought Barry Mannakee was deliberately killed because of her friendship with him. He thought she worried about James Hewitt’s safety during their friendship because of her feelings about Barry Mannakee’s death. He confirmed that he was never warned by MI5 that if he did not stop seeing her he would suffer the same fate as Barry Mannakee. Peter SETTELEN Speech coach. Consulted by the Princess of Wales. He was asked to help the Princess of Wales improve her speech making. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 202 Peter Settelen worked with the Princess of Wales over a fourteen-month period from September 1992 to December 1994. As part of his tuition process he used video recordings of clients talking through their life history. He carried out this process with the Princess of Wales. He believed that he recorded more than twenty 45-minute videotapes. Following the arrest of Paul Burrell in connection with the theft of items of the Princess of Wales’ property, Peter Settelen became aware that the MPS had recovered property, including six of the twenty or so videotapes he had made of the Princess of Wales. The videotapes did not form part of the case against Paul Burrell and, following a legal hearing over ownership of the tapes, they were restored to Peter Settelen in 2004. The American television company NBC broadcast a segment from one of those videos showing the Princess of Wales talking about her relationship with Barry Mannakee. In it she stated, "It was all found out and he was chucked out. And then he was killed. And I think he was bumped off. But, urm, there we are. I don't, we'll never know... he was the greatest friend I've ever had.” Peter Settelen stated that on some days the Princess of Wales believed Barry Mannakee had been killed and on others she did not, although he never asked her outright for her opinion on his death. Page 132 CHAPTER TWO iii) The investigation into the death of Barry Mannakee Operation Paget has completed a comprehensive review of the incident in which Barry Mannakee died. This included re-visiting eyewitnesses and reviewing all documentation still available from the original investigation, the Coroner’s inquest and other legal processes. The Operation Paget Senior Collision Investigator also reviewed the technical findings of the collision. Another Collision Investigator has independently assessed those findings. The conclusion of the review is that the original mathematical reconstruction was slightly flawed in that it incorrectly identified the point of impact. This alters to a small extent the interpretation of the way the incident occurred in terms of available reaction times of driver and rider. The conclusion however remains the same. This was an accidental fatal road traffic collision. Although the findings of the point of impact have now been slightly revised, the prosecution of the driver would be in accordance with current charging standards under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act, 1988. Operation Paget Comment This was an accidental fatal road traffic collision. Barry Mannakee did not meet his death as a result of deliberate action. The witness evidence and the technical findings support this view. The Princess of Wales, and indeed anyone else not connected with the initial investigation, would not have seen the detailed accident report. This is illustrated by the Princess of Wales’ comment to Hasnat Khan that Barry Mannakee had been killed following a collision with a truck. The full report of the Operation Paget review is retained under Operation Paget - Other Document 396. Page 133 CHAPTER TWO (iii) CONCLUSIONS Part A – claims outlined in section (i) Claim 1 - There were clearly those, including the Princess's own mother, who were bitterly opposed to the Princess having a relationship with a Muslim. My son was of course a Muslim. There is no evidence that the fact that Dodi Al Fayed was a Muslim has any bearing on the conspiracy allegation. The Princess of Wales had a close personal relationship with Hasnat Khan, a Muslim. This lasted for around two years, from September 1995 until just before she died. They stayed at each other’s homes and Hasnat Khan met the Princess of Wales’ children. Indeed, the Princess of Wales explored the possibility of an inter-faith marriage to him. No secret was made of this relationship; the media was aware of it from around November 1995 onwards. Hasnat Khan has provided a statement to Operation Paget in which he explained: • He did not feel it necessary at any stage of his two-year relationship with the Princess of Wales to take any action because of any threat, perceived or otherwise, made to him from any source • He did in fact receive anonymous threatening mail in connection with the relationship but he described such letters in terms that indicated malicious racist motives. He destroyed the letters and took no action. He mentioned them only once to the Princess of Wales as he wanted to protect her from them. • There was no relevant evidence of anyone being opposed to the relationship, other than the Princess of Wales’ mother. The Princess of Wales apparently did not have a good relationship with her mother. Hasnat Khan believed they stopped speaking because of the Princess of Wales’ relationship with him, ‘a Pakistani and a Muslim’ • He believed he would be, ‘very naïve to think that MI5 or MI6 didn’t have an interest in (him)’ because of his relationship with the Princess of Wales, but he did not think that he was ever under any threat from the authorities During his relationship with the Princess of Wales, Hasnat Khan did not feel subject to any threat or pressure from the Royal Family or any other figure or agency of authority. There was no evidence that anyone was opposed to his relationship with the Princess of Wales other than her own mother. Page 134 CHAPTER TWO Claims 2, 8 and 9 Claim 2 - Prince Philip himself is now revealed as having written vitriolic letters to the Princess which demonstrate the strength of feeling which existed within the Royal Family as well as the ‘Establishment’. Claim 8 - Diana told me personally, “if anything happens to me, be sure the finger is … the person who has done it is Prince Philip.” Claim 9 - …threats she has from Prince Philip in writing, letters already in Scotland Yard’s possession. The Princess of Wales did receive letters from HRH Prince Philip. No one claims to have possession of any of these any longer. Those who have seen these letters described differences in how they perceived the tone and content. Paul Burrell, her butler, saw letters from HRH Prince Philip. He stated they did not contain any threats, but described some as ‘quite cutting’ and ‘cruel’. In his statement of May 2004 to Operation Paget Paul Burrell stated: ‘Her correspondence included letters from Prince Philip. Much has been reported in the media of his dislike for the Princess but I would describe them as having a mutual respect for each other. They were similar personalities in many ways and got on much better than is generally perceived. He could be direct but would also give her support writing her notes on many occasions.’ And in his statement of April 2006 he stated: ‘The Princess received several letters from Prince Philip but I am not in possession of any of them. I have seen some of them in the past and some could be described as startling with a tone that was quite cutting and cruel but at other times they were supportive and kind. He never displayed any angry bitterness or vindictive behaviour. He never made any threats to the Princess either directly or indirectly to my knowledge.’ Simone Simmons, another friend, talked of ‘nasty letters’ from HRH Prince Philip in 1993/1994, but these ‘stopped when Charles and Diana were getting divorced.’ Simone Simmons had read some of the letters. She explained how the content of them was nasty in a personal sense, not a threatening sense. She claimed that similar letters were also sent to the Duchess of York by HRH Prince Philip. The relationship between the Princess of Wales and HRH Prince Philip is described in ways that could range from closeness to hostility. Only in the case of Roberto Devorik’s accounts of his conversations with her could it be described as physically, or indeed life threatening. Roberto Devorik made no reference to the Princess of Wales receiving threatening letters from HRH Prince Philip, only her views on their relationship and her belief that HRH Prince Philip wanted to ‘see her dead’ Page 135 CHAPTER TWO Lucia Flecha de Lima, one of the Princess of Wales’ closest friends, spoke of seeing letters from HRH Prince Philip: ‘Prince Philip tried to help her during the difficult period of her marriage, in his own way. He was sometimes a bit brutal. I have read the letters. They were not unkind. He is a clever man. He would not hurt her.’ Whether letters sent by HRH Prince Philip, that some witnesses describe in terms such as cruel and nasty, could be described as ‘vitriolic’ is a subjective judgement. Sub-Section 1 of this Chapter details the evidence relating to the ‘Burrell’ and ‘Lord Mishcon’ notes and the Princess of Wales’ concern of brake tampering in her car. The notes and the ‘brake-tampering’ appeared to have taken place around October 1995, a time when those close to the Princess of Wales believed she was under great stress. Operation Paget has seen the full original notes referred to in the first two matters. HRH Prince Philip was not referred to in either of these as a source of the Princess of Wales’ fears. Neither was he referred to when the Princess of Wales contacted Simone Simmons and Hasnat Khan regarding the concerns over her car-brakes. A search was made of relevant MPS systems to identify any reference to property that could be letters written by HRH Prince Philip. The MPS do not have any such letters. Specific enquiries have been made with the Exhibits Officer involved in the Paul Burrell trial. No letters written by HRH Prince Philip ever came into police possession during the Paul Burrell investigation. There is no evidence that HRH Prince Philip wrote letters to the Princess of Wales in which he threatened her. Operation Paget is not aware of anyone who has letters pertinent to this allegation. Claim 3 - It has also emerged that the Princess of Wales video recorded intimate personal diaries outlining the treatment she had received at the hands of many members of the Royal Family and other ‘Establishment’ figures. The Princess of Wales was video recorded by a speech coach, Peter Settelen, in 1992 and 1993. As part of the coaching process the Princess of Wales disclosed personal details about her own life and talked about her relationship with HRH the Prince of Wales and other members of her family. Peter Settelen believed there were over twenty videotapes recorded during this time. Only six are now in his possession. Operation Paget has seen the six videotapes in existence and the Princess of Wales made no mention of threats to her. The others are unaccounted for. Peter Settelen has no specific recollection of her expressing any fears on those tapes. Page 136 CHAPTER TWO There is a recording of her concerns that a police Personal Protection Officer, Barry Mannakee, died in a motorcycle crash in 1987 as a result of being ‘bumped off’. Barry Mannakee was the pillion passenger on a motorcycle being ridden by a close friend of his. That fatal road traffic crash has been fully reviewed by Operation Paget. The conclusion remains the same as that of the original Collision Investigator. Barry Mannakee did not die as the result of a conspiracy. He died in a motorcycle accident. The rider of the motorcycle survived. Claim 4 - Mr Burrell has recently disclosed a letter written by the Princess of Wales in October 1996 and apparently given to him for safekeeping. It includes the following passage: `I am sitting here at my desk today in October, longing for someone to hug me and encourage me to keep strong and hold my head high. This particular phase in my life is the most dangerous. [...] is planning `an accident' in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for Charles to marry. ...’ [Paget Note: This appears to be a direct lift from the ‘Daily Mirror’ newspaper article of October 2003.] None of the friends of the Princess of Wales was aware of the ‘Burrell note’ before its publication, including HRH the Prince of Wales himself. The Princess of Wales appears not to have spoken to anyone after writing it, other than possibly a short conversation with Paul Burrell. Some question the authenticity of the note on the grounds they find it hard to believe she would write such a note and because the original date of receiving the note, given by Paul Burrell, of October 1996 does not fit with the Princess of Wales’ state of mind at the time. Therefore they believe it is more likely that the note was written in October 1995, a fact now accepted as a possibility by Paul Burrell. The Prince and Princess of Wales divorced in August 1996. The fact that the Princess of Wales referred in the note to her ‘husband’ lends support to the fact that it was written before that date and thus the date of October 1995 is more likely. Paul Burrell believed that the note had been taken out of context and too much emphasis placed on it. To his knowledge there were no other notes outlining this particular fear. He had never seen or heard of any evidence that would substantiate the fear expressed and he did not know what prompted her to write it at that time. He believed if she had been truly concerned for her safety in a car, as described in the note, she would not have continued to drive. The ‘Burrell note’ of 1995/1996 stated her ‘husband’, was the subject of her fears and her belief that he planned a car accident to cause her a serious head injury in order to make the ‘path clear for Charles to marry’. It is a general perception that this reference is to Camilla Parker Bowles, now the Duchess of Cornwall. This is not so. It was not Camilla Parker Bowles. Page 137 CHAPTER TWO The Princess of Wales did name a woman in her note. The circumstances in which she is mentioned support the view that the note is more likely to have been written in 1995. HRH the Prince of Wales stated that he had no knowledge of this note until its publication in 2003 and did not know why the Princess of Wales wrote it. The Princess of Wales did not speak to him about it. HRH the Prince of Wales knew the woman named in the note, as a family friend. There had never been any possibility at any time of marriage to her. October 1995 was also the time that the Princess of Wales met with Lord Mishcon, when she expressed a similar fear to him, and indeed her fear that Camilla Parker Bowles was also to be ‘put aside’. It is also around that time, October 1995 that the Princess of Wales believed the brakes on her car had failed and she told her friends Simone Simmons and Hasnat Khan. There is no evidence that the brakes were tampered with. If one dates the ‘Burrell note’ at October 1995, it is clear that the Princess of Wales had a perception at that time that someone was looking to harm her and her sense was that this was likely to be in a car. In looking at why the Princess of Wales may have had such a fear at that time the evidence of Rita Rogers may be highly relevant. Rita Rogers told the Princess of Wales in a telephone call of her premonition that the brakes on the Princess of Wales’ car had been tampered with. It is reasonable to assume from the reaction of the Princess of Wales that there had not been a problem with her car brakes before this time. One would have expected a more significant response if the Princess of Wales had experienced such a problem. Rita Rogers could not be certain of the date that she informed the Princess of Wales of this premonition but believed the Princess of Wales was seeing Hasnat Khan at the time. [Paget Note: September 1995 - July 1997.] This evidence, taken together, may be an indication of how unhappy the Princess of Wales was in late 1995. If Rita Rogers’ conversation about a premonition of car brake tampering had been before this time, one could see how the Princess of Wales may have been influenced by it. It is not known if her belief that her Personal Protection Officer was deliberately killed in a motorcycle crash in 1987 influenced her thoughts. In these separate instances the Princess of Wales essentially repeated the same basic concern. However, repetition of a concern should not be regarded as corroborating evidence. Operation Paget found no supporting evidence to show there were any grounds for these concerns, even though they were clearly expressed and apparently genuinely held at that time by the Princess of Wales. Page 138 CHAPTER TWO Claims 5 and 6 Claim 5 - During the summer holiday Princess Diana often told me that she feared she would be murdered by the Royal Family. Claim 6 - At one time she said that she will probably go up in a helicopter and never come down alive. Mohamed Al Fayed wrote in his statement: ‘Diana’s fears that she expressed to me of being murdered came flooding back to me. During the summer holiday Princess Diana often told me that she feared she would be murdered by the Royal Family. At one time she said that she will probably go up in a helicopter and never come down alive.’ Lee Sansum, a bodyguard of Mohamed Al Fayed, gave evidence that during that holiday in July 1997 the Princess of Wales asked him, “Do you think they’ll kill/murder me?” when hearing of Gianni Versace’s death. The evidence from other sources refers to the Princess of Wales’ fears from an earlier time, around late 1995 or 1996. Roberto Devorik, a friend of the Princess of Wales, provided information of conversations with the Princess of Wales in 1995 and 1996 where she talks of ‘they’, and more particularly HRH Prince Philip, getting rid of her, blowing her up or killing her. The ‘Lord Mishcon note’ reinforced the Princess of Wales’ general fear, in late 1995, of unnamed people wanting to injure her or ‘get rid of her’. When speaking to Mohamed Al Fayed, the Princess of Wales referred to going up in a helicopter and not coming down alive. She also spoke of being blown up in a plane, car or helicopter while talking to Roberto Devorik. The Princess of Wales did express fears for her safety on a number of occasions, principally in late 1995 to Lord Mishcon, Simone Simmons, Hasnat Khan and in the ‘Paul Burrell note’; and in 1995 or 1996 to Robert Devorik. Mohamed Al Fayed and Lee Sansum, one of Mohamed Al Fayed’s security staff, provided evidence of these fears being expressed in July 1997. Although the Princess of Wales clearly expressed concerns over her safety, there was no evidence of any event that would have substantiated those concerns. Claim 7 - She told me that she had confided in her butler, Paul Burrell, and that if anything should happen to her, Paul Burrell held the secrets. Mohamed Al Fayed stated that the Princess of Wales told him that she had confided in her butler, Paul Burrell, and that if anything should happen to her, Paul Burrell held the secrets that she had entrusted to him. Page 139 CHAPTER TWO Paul Burrell has provided two statements to Operation Paget. In his statement of May 2004 Paul Burrell stated: ‘Her correspondence included letters from Prince Philip. Much has been reported in the media of his dislike for the Princess but I would describe them as having a mutual respect for each other. They were similar personalities in many ways and got on much better than is generally perceived. He could be direct but would also give her support writing her notes on many occasions.’ ‘I should also point out that although there had been animosity between HRH the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales at the time of the divorce, they had come through that and were on cordial terms when she died. The last time I saw them together at Kensington Palace they were very friendly to each other. Although he could be mentally cruel to the Princess at times he is a kind person generally and I have certainly never had any thought or information that he would harm the Princess in any way.’ And in his statement of April 2006 he stated: ‘I have been asked to expand on the comment in my book when the Princess said to me “What a secret”, referring to a coming weekend. I am not prepared to say any more on this subject but can confirm that it bears no relevance to your investigation.’ Paul Burrell stated he has never seen or heard of any evidence that would substantiate the fears expressed by the Princess of Wales and he does not know what prompted her to write of her fears when she did. There was no evidence that Paul Burrell held any ‘secrets’ that would assist in better understanding the events in Paris in August 1997. Page 140
CHAPTER THREE ACTIONS OF THE PAPARAZZI IN PARIS CHAPTER THREE CONTENTS Page i) Claims in support of conspiracy allegation 141 ii) Report 142 - 148 iii) Conclusions 149 CHAPTER THREE (i) CLAIMS IN SUPPORT OF CONSPIRACY ALLEGATION The following claims are direct lifts from source documents or have been made in interviews to camera. The wording may have been abridged to assist the reader in understanding the key points. Précis of the claims made by Mohamed Al Fayed Mohamed Al Fayed claims that the presence of the paparazzi created the environment in which the collision could be arranged. It is not stated if this was done knowingly or unknowingly by the paparazzi or whether outside agents were introduced to the paparazzi to facilitate this. The allegation that a member of the United Kingdom Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) was part of the paparazzi is dealt with in detail in Chapter Sixteen, however, the conclusions in respect of this are used in this Chapter. Claim 1. It appears to me at present that the most likely cause was the paparazzi. Source - 12 March 1998 and 11 December 1998. Live evidence to Judge Hervé Stéphan by Mohamed Al Fayed (French Dossier D4686) This claim was supplemented in July 2005 in the statement of Mohamed Al Fayed. (Operation Paget Statement 163) I have read the note of the conversation with Juge Hervé Stéphan on 12 March 1998 and 11 December 1998, as prepared by Hodge Malek, QC, who was representing me. The note represents the gist of the conversations but does require amplification. For example, where it is stated that I blame the paparazzi, it was within the context that they created the environment within which it was possible to murder them. Source – Operation Paget statement of Mohamed Al Fayed 5 July 2005, Page 5 (Operation Paget Statement 163) Page 141 CHAPTER THREE (ii) REPORT Operation Paget has assessed all relevant statements and documents and has included excerpts only where considered necessary. Excerpts from statements or other documents shown in italics are direct lifts and the language and spelling will reflect this. Introduction ‘Paparazzi’ is a term widely used to describe the group of professional photographers that followed the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed from their arrival at Le Bourget airport in Paris until the fatal crash in the Alma underpass. They did not work as a team except in the very loosest sense of the word, they were in fact rivals trying to get the best photographs to sell to the media. On Saturday 30 August 1997, some paparazzi followed the couple all day, others came and went. Some were freelance, and some worked for agencies. It is recognised that the term ‘paparazzi’ used here may include photographers and other persons who would normally be regarded as professional photojournalists. This report assesses the evidence that supports or refutes the claim that the paparazzi were involved, knowingly or unknowingly, in a criminal conspiracy to murder the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed. It does not assess the evidence in terms of whether they inadvertently or recklessly caused the crash by their actions as paparazzi and any culpability issues arising from such a conclusion. That is a matter for the Coroner and the inquest process. Involvement in a Conspiracy to Murder/Harm There were primarily three ways in which the paparazzi might be alleged to have contributed to such a conspiracy, knowingly or otherwise: i) Members of the paparazzi group knowingly chased and harassed the Mercedes in a calculated attempt to direct the car into some predetermined course of action that would allow the planned ‘accident’ to take place. ii) A third party or one or more members of the paparazzi encouraged/coerced the group to create such an environment. iii) Members of the paparazzi inadvertently created a situation whereby the Mercedes followed a course of action that allowed those involved in a criminal conspiracy to take advantage of the circumstances created to carry out the planned ‘accident’. Page 142 CHAPTER THREE Operation Paget has examined the evidence provided to the French Inquiry by the paparazzi who were either arrested at the scene or subsequently identified. Only one paparazzo, Pierre Suu, has agreed to see officers from Operation Paget. He was not one of those that followed the Mercedes to the scene of the crash. He arrived there some time afterwards, having followed the Mercedes driven by Dodi Al Fayed’s usual chauffeur, Philippe Dourneau, to the apartment in the rue Arsène Houssaye. To assist in answering the questions raised in (i), (ii) and (iii), this Chapter details the movements of the paparazzi from the Ritz Hotel to the Alma underpass according to their evidence. Appropriate evidence of other witnesses, and closed circuit television (CCTV) footage from the Ritz Hotel, supplements this. Paparazzi identified outside the Ritz Hotel The following paparazzi or press agents were identified as being present at the Ritz Hotel at the time that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed left via rue Cambon: Present in rue Cambon (rear entrance) • Jacques Langevin (grey Volkswagen Golf) • Alain Guizard (grey/blue Peugeot 205) • David Odekerken (Mitsubishi Pajero) • Fabrice Chassery (black Peugeot 205) • Serge Benhamou (green Honda scooter) Present in Place Vendôme (front entrance) • Laslo Veres (black Piaggio Scooter) • Serge Arnal and Christian Martinez (black Fiat Uno) • Romuald Rat and Stéphane Darmon (blue Honda 650 motorcycle) • Nikola Arsov (white BMW R100 GS motorcycle) • Pierre Suu and Jerko Tomic (red BMW 750 motorcycle) • Pierre Hounsfield (black Volkswagen Golf) • Stéphane Cardinale (white Citroen AX) • Dominique Dieppois (white Renault Super 5) • Colm Pierce (no vehicle) Page 143 CHAPTER THREE Paparazzi movement as the Mercedes left the hotel From their accounts, Pierre Suu, Jerko Tomic, Pierre Hounsfield, Stéphane Cardinale, Nikola Arsov and Laslo Veres remained at the front of the hotel. When the Range Rover and the original Mercedes driven by Jean-François Musa and Philippe Dourneau respectively, left Place Vendôme, some of these paparazzi followed and ended up outside the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. The other paparazzi were to some degree or other involved in following the Mercedes on its route to the Alma underpass. Paparazzi identified at the Place de la Concorde Serge Benhamou, Alain Guizard, David Odekerken, Christian Martinez, Serge Arnal, Romuald Rat, Stéphane Darmon and Fabrice Chassery were identified in the Place de la Concorde, either by their own admission or from the evidence of fellow paparazzi. Despite several witnesses, including some paparazzi, reporting camera flashes in Place de la Concorde, no photographs have been seen that appear to have been taken at this location. If any photographs were taken at this stage they were not among the films of those arrested at the scene. Paparazzi identified en route from the Place de la Concorde to the Alma underpass The Mercedes continued across Place de la Concorde past the junction with avenue des Champs-Elysées and turned right onto the embankment. Serge Arnal and Christian Martinez were behind it at this stage but the Mercedes accelerated away and they lost sight of it after the first tunnel, the Alexandre III. They continued to follow in that direction and came across the crash in the Alma underpass. Romuald Rat and Stéphane Darmon were also with the Mercedes at this stage and, like Christian Martinez and Serge Arnal, they described its rapid acceleration onto and along the embankment. Again, like Christian Martinez and Serge Arnal, they maintain that the Mercedes left them behind. These four paparazzi appeared to be the first four identified people at the crash scene. Photographs of the crash scene attributable to Serge Arnal, Christian Martinez and Romuald Rat tended to corroborate their accounts. [Paget Note: Stéphane Darmon was a motorcyclist and not a paparazzo per se. No photographs are therefore attributable to him.] The French Inquiry concluded from examinations of the photographs of the crashed car that the first (known) photograph at the scene was taken by Serge Arnal. Page 144 CHAPTER THREE Stéphane Darmon Motorcyclist to Romauld RAT. French Dossier D241-D244 He described others near him as he approached the underpass: ‘I was the first to pass the crashed car. Right behind me there was a scooter with one person on it and a motorbike. I stopped maybe 20 metres in front of the Mercedes. Romuald got off in a hurry. He had his helmet with him and his camera round his neck. He ran towards the car. The scooter was still in the tunnel and the photographer also hurried towards the car. He was a man about 1m60 tall, big, slightly balding in front. He was wearing Raybans and a beige combat jacket. He was European, aged about 50. I heard someone say he had been working freelance in this job for over 20 years. He was wearing "boat" shoes. I remember he had an argument with one of the security people, a red-headed guy, at Al Fayed's home. The other motorbike stayed at the entrance to the tunnel. This one was a Yamaha with 2 people on it, it might have been an XT 600. They never came out the other end of the tunnel. After the photos had been taken they left, not using the underpass. I didn't see them again.’ and ‘As regards the vehicles that were with me when we chased after the Mercedes before it went into the tunnel, I remember that the motorbike near me was a dark-coloured Yamaha TDM 800. It stopped at the entrance to the tunnel. I don't remember seeing it after that.’ The rider of the scooter appeared to be Serge Benhamou, another paparazzo. He was riding a Honda Lead 90cc scooter and photographs of him at the crash scene showed him wearing clothing similar to that described by Stéphane Darmon. Serge Benhamou denied being so close to the events of the crash, stating that he lost sight of the Mercedes and subsequently came across the crash site when a number of people were already there. This does not accord with the early photographs of Romuald Rat showing Serge Benhamou at the scene very soon after the crash. The Yamaha XT 600 motorcycle or TDM 800 described by Stéphane Darmon had two people on it. He did not know their identities. He stated that they did not go into the underpass. He could not say where they came from. These two people have not been identified and no one else provided details of such a motorcycle. No paparazzi admitted to witnessing any of the movements of the Mercedes directly leading up to the crash or to being close enough themselves to have had any effect upon it. Page 145 CHAPTER THREE Paparazzi actions after the crash The paparazzi arrived at the Alma underpass at different stages. Serge Arnal, Christian Martinez, Romuald Rat and Stéphane Darmon appear to have arrived first, quickly followed by Serge Benhamou. There was evidence that Serge Arnal attempted to call the emergency services. Film seized from the cameras of Romuald Rat, Christian Martinez and Serge Arnal showed that they were taking photographs of the car and/or the occupants almost immediately after arrival at the scene – there were no emergency services near the car visible in their photographs. Although some may regard the actions of the paparazzi at the scene to be morally questionable, there was no evidence to show that those arriving immediately after the crash, or those arriving later, deliberately interfered with attempts to save the passengers in the car or undertook any actions that showed they were involved in a conspiracy to harm them. Telephone enquiries The French Inquiry obtained telephone data for the cell sites [Paget Note: Area of usage for a mobile telephone] relevant to the Mercedes’ route from the Ritz Hotel to the Alma underpass i.e. Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde and Place de l’Alma sectors covering the period from midnight to 1am (French Dossier D6112–D6201). One of the French mobile telephone companies, Bouygues Telecom, claimed to have no data for these cell sites in this timeframe (French Dossier D6202-D6214), so that any conclusions in relation to cell site data must be incomplete. Police Lieutenant Eric Gigou Brigade Criminelle. French Dossier D6211 Referred to the lack of data from Bouygues Telecom: ‘It is important to note that Bouygues Telecom, having been asked by Judicial Requisitions, replied in particular that no call made or received had been recorded by its service on 31 August 1997 between 12.00 night and 1.00 am in the sectors of the rue Cambon, the Place Vendôme, the Place de la Concorde and the Alma Bridge. However Dr Frédéric Mailliez, a witness examined during the expedited police investigation, stated that he had dialled the Fire Brigade control number (** ** *8 35) from his mobile telephone number ** ** *9 23, which is a Bouygues phone operating on the Bouygues Telecom network.’ French judicial inquiry into the actions of the paparazzi Seven of the paparazzi were arrested at the scene. Three paparazzi who left the scene were interviewed in the following week on the instructions of the Examining Magistrate, Judge Hervé Stéphan. Page 146 CHAPTER THREE Judge Hervé Stéphan Examining Magistrate. Following his investigation, he concluded in his ‘Notice of Dismissal’ in 1999: ‘It was therefore in order to escape from the photographers, but in the absence of any criminal liability on their part, that the driver of the Mercedes, either on his own initiative or following an order given to him, pulled away quickly from the Place de la Concorde, taking a route which was possibly not the one originally planned. As regards the journey, between that location and the scene of the accident, several witnesses have particularly mentioned either a number of motorcycles surrounding the Mercedes, or the vehicle travelling on its own at speed, or the presence of a motorcycle close to the Mercedes immediately prior to the accident. Notwithstanding the fact that it appears impossible to elicit a consistent version from this witness evidence, it is important to note that the investigation has not in any way established the presence in the proximity of the Mercedes, either on the journey or at the time of the accident, of a vehicle belonging to any of the persons charged or to any other person identified in the investigation. It has to be said that some of the persons charged did indeed get to the tunnel very quickly, just after the accident had taken place, and that it appears that contrary to some of their statements, they did try to catch the Mercedes up, despite its speed. However, that excessive speed was not the consequence of criminally culpable behaviour on the part of the photographers, but a result of the decision taken by the driver of the vehicle. In attempting to establish whether motor vehicles in proximity to the Mercedes were used in a manner amounting to criminal behaviour on this last journey or at the time of the accident, it should be borne in mind that no evidence to that effect has been found in the case of the various persons under investigation. Similarly, their liability cannot be established by the mere fact that they may have belonged to a group, some of whom may have committed offences, as the existence of such a group at such a time has not in any way been proven and nor, furthermore, has the involvement of each of them in such a group. Lastly, the ’experts’ reports did not find that there had been any crash involving the Mercedes and the various vehicles used by those under investigation. The reports also showed that several of the vehicles were not capable of following the Mercedes under such circumstances. It must therefore be concluded that the behaviour of the Mercedes driver from the Place de la Concorde onwards was not the result of a criminal act on the part of the other persons present at that location and that likewise no other evidence establishes against any identified person any other offence which may have made the driver persist in the conduct chosen by him or asked of him and which may thus have represented another certain cause of the accident.’ Page 147 CHAPTER THREE It could not be established whether the motorcycle(s) and/or other vehicles described by eye-witnesses around the Mercedes as it headed towards and entered the Alma underpass belonged to: (i) paparazzi known to the inquiry, (ii) paparazzi not identified in the inquiry, or (iii) any other individual. There was insufficient detail to make positive identifications. Judge Stéphan concluded that the Mercedes pulled away quickly from the Place de la Concorde in order to escape from the photographers. Operation Paget Comment There was no evidence to show that the actions of the paparazzi were anything other than their normal working practice and no evidence that showed they were involved in any criminal conspiracy. Involvement of Intelligence/Security Services Enquiries involving the British Intelligence and Security Services are detailed in Chapter Sixteen. In summary, there was no evidence to show that either service was involved in overtly or covertly influencing or using the actions of the paparazzi on the night in order to create an environment whereby a plan to murder the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed could be put into operation. Previously unidentified photographer A specific claim in Chapter Sixteen was the alleged presence of an unidentified photographer outside the Ritz Hotel on Saturday night, the inference being that he was a member of the intelligence services. He was seen to be wearing a red checked shirt, apparently spoke English and had never been traced. Operation Paget has now identified this man as Colm Pierce. He was a Paris-based Irish freelance photographer, working in Paris in that capacity. Checks undertaken with the SIS disclosed no evidence to link Colm Pierce with that service. Page 148 CHAPTER THREE (iii) CONCLUSIONS Claims outlined in section (i) Claim 1 - It appears to me at present that the most likely cause was the paparazzi. 12 March 1998 and 11 December 1998. Live evidence to Judge Hervé Stéphan by Mohamed Al Fayed. (French Dossier D4686) This claim was supplemented in July 2005 in the statement of Mohamed Al Fayed. (Operation Paget Statement 163) I have read the note of the conversation with Juge Hervé Stéphan on 12 March 1998 and 11 December 1998, as prepared by Hodge Malek, QC, who was representing me. The note represents the gist of the conversations but does require amplification. For example, where it is stated that I blame the paparazzi, it was within the context that they created the environment within which it was possible to murder them. Eyewitness accounts described motorcycle(s) and/or car(s) near to the Mercedes as it approached and entered the Alma underpass. These accounts were neither wholly consistent nor corroborative. Eyewitness accounts in rapid scenarios such as this will inevitably contain contradictions. The weight of evidence showed that vehicles did leave the scene of the crash and some appear to be still unidentified. They may or may not have been paparazzi. [Paget Note: The location and movement of vehicles at the underpass are fully examined in relation to the allegation of conspiracy in Chapter Seven.] There is no evidence that others took advantage of an environment created by the paparazzi. Neither is there evidence that any of the paparazzi, independently or in collusion with others, undertook actions in order to create an environment that allowed others to put into operation a plan to murder the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed. Page 149
CHAPTER FOUR HENRI PAUL RITZ HOTEL SECURITY OFFICER AND DRIVER OF THE MERCEDES CAR CHAPTER FOUR CONTENTS Page i) Claims in support of conspiracy allegation 150 - 153 ii) Report 154 - 365 iii) Conclusions 366 - 389 CHAPTER FOUR (i) CLAIMS IN SUPPORT OF CONSPIRACY ALLEGATION Précis of the claims made by Mohamed Al Fayed Henri Paul was the acting Head of Security at the Ritz Hotel, Paris. It is alleged that he worked for the Security Services of France and/or the United Kingdom and was instrumental in carrying out the plan, inadvertently or otherwise, to have the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed killed in the Alma underpass. It is further alleged that incorrect information about his fitness to drive the Mercedes due to alcohol has been deliberately disseminated to the public in order to cover up the real cause of the crash. It is also alleged that Henri Paul’s body, or the forensic samples taken from it, were swapped by ‘Security Services’ with those of another body or a suicide victim, with the result that the toxicological results produced within the French Inquiry do not relate to Henri Paul. All of Mohamed Al Fayed’s claims regarding Henri Paul are listed here for completeness. Those relating to Henri Paul and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) (8, 9 and 12) are recorded here together with the conclusions. However, the details of the investigation relating to the SIS are contained in Chapter Sixteen. Claims 1. Attempts have been made to attribute the crash to the fact that Henri Paul had consumed grossly excessive quantities of alcohol and was consequently incapable of driving. Attempts to verify this indicate that these tests were carried out in highly unusual circumstances. 2. Contemporaneous evidence from the Ritz Hotel's video cameras from about 10 pm when Mr Paul returned to the hotel until 12.20 am when he left does not suggest that he was under the influence of alcohol. 3. The two bodyguards who were charged with protecting my son are certain that he was not under the influence of alcohol. 4. It has also been suggested that Mr Paul was an alcoholic. But on 28 August 1997 Mr Paul had had his annual medical examination in connexion with renewal of his pilot's licence and had been found fit to fly. The doctor made no mention of any alcohol or drug problems. Visual examination of his liver at post-mortem also showed it to be normal. Page 150 CHAPTER FOUR 5. A toxicology report relating to the post-mortem carried out on Mr Paul on 31 August 1997 identified a high level of carbon monoxide in his blood, approximately 20.7% in his blood. This blood sample contained blood from both ventricles of the heart. I understand that this average figure of 20.7% means that the level of carbon monoxide in the left ventricle of the heart must have been in excess of 28-35%. 6. Had this level of carbon monoxide been present in his blood when Mr Paul was at the Ritz Hotel, he could not have behaved in the rational, coherent and sober manner reported by those who were with him and recorded by the Ritz Hotel video cameras between 10 pm and 12.20 am. 7. The pathologists instructed by the investigating magistrate suggested that smoking and the release of carbon monoxide from the Mercedes' airbag might account for it. But other expert evidence has since confirmed; • that smoking could not account for more than about 5-8% of this figure; • that at post-mortem Mr Paul's lungs were found to be healthy; • that the airbag did not release carbon monoxide when inflated; • that, since Mr Paul was killed instantly, he could not have inhaled carbon monoxide after the crash; and • that nobody else in the car was found to have any carbon monoxide in the blood. Independent expert examination has concluded that it is most likely that the samples analysed, and on which great reliance has been placed by others for stating that the crash was caused by drunk driving, are not of Mr Paul's blood Source - 7 February 2003,Submission by Mohamed Al Fayed to Minister for Justice, Scotland, for Public Inquiry, Pages 2 (v) and 3 (vi) Claim 8. A former member of MI6 has given sworn evidence that he is aware from MI6 files that MI6 had an informant who was a security officer at the Ritz Hotel and who was of French nationality. Source - May 2003 Petition For Judicial Review - Minister For Justice, Scotland In name of Mohamed Al Fayed, Item 16 Page 151 CHAPTER FOUR Claims 9. There is evidence that Henri Paul was in the pay of MI6.The French police did not investigate why Mr Paul was in possession of about £2000 in cash at the time of the crash or why he had more than £100,000 in thirteen separate bank accounts. 10. The explanation widely circulated for the crash is that the driver of the Mercedes, Mr Paul, had consumed grossly excessive quantities of alcohol. There are serious doubts about the scientific plausibility of this explanation. Expert evidence indicates that it is not possible to rely on the results of the tests purportedly carried out on Mr Paul's blood. It is probable that the samples analysed by the French authorities are not samples of Mr Paul's blood. Independent experts, including Professor Vanezis, Regis Professor of Forensic Medicine in the University of Glasgow, are critical of the procedures adopted for the post mortem examination, the lack of satisfactory systems to ensure correct identification of samples, and the conclusions reached following post mortem examination of Mr Paul's body. The supposed high level of carbon monoxide in Mr Paul's blood is inconsistent with the rational, coherent and sober manner reported by those who were with him, including bodyguards employed by the petitioner, and recorded by the Ritz Hotel video cameras immediately prior to the crash. Source - Undated ‘Note of Argument’ Supporting Petition For Judicial Review - Minister For Justice, Scotland - In name of Mohamed Al Fayed, Pages 5 and 6 Claim 11. They change the blood of Henri Paul with somebody else. Source - 25 August 2003 TV ‘The Belzer Connection: Diana Conspiracy’ (Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera) Claim 12. Henri Paul was a paid informant for both MI6 and DGSE. On the night of 30th August 1997 he met with Secret Service agents in Paris and was paid the equivalent of £2000 in French Francs which was found in his pocket at the time of death. Henri Paul should never have driven my son and Princess Diana. He was doubtless working on instructions from the security services, having persuaded Dodi to deploy the decoy plan. Source - 5 July 2005 Witness Statement signed by Mohamed Al Fayed, Page 4 Page 152 CHAPTER FOUR Claims [Paget Note: The following claims, from a taped video interview, have been abridged where necessary to aid understanding of the issue being referred to, but Operation Paget believes they reflect the meaning of the statements made.] 13. Henri Paul was persuaded to go to Dodi and Diana because they wanted to stay the night in the suite in the hotel. Then Diana got the idea that she wanted to go to the apartment because she wanted to do packing. Next morning they were coming to London. (Henri Paul) convinced him (Dodi Al Fayed). He said that because of all the paparazzi outside in the Place Vendôme, he assured her that to be safe, they were to go out from the back entrance and no problem. Of course, he (Henri Paul) doesn’t know he’s going to be killed. 14. Intelligence told Henri Paul what tunnel to take because this tunnel is a very dangerous tunnel with the columns and no barriers around the place. And he convinced Trevor Rees-Jones. Also the mistake – they always have a follow- up car. Another guy called Kes Wingfield, who has also been turned against me, had to follow them and he didn’t follow them. 15. The blood of Henri Paul is not his blood. They took somebody else’s who committed suicide, breathed in carbon monoxide. 16. Security would never let Henri Paul go behind a wheel if they knew that he was drunk. Source - 9 February 2006 Videotape Interview - Mohamed Al Fayed to Camera Page 153 CHAPTER FOUR (ii) REPORT Introduction Henri Paul’s role and his actions leading up to the crash on Sunday 31 August 1997 are critical in assessing the murder conspiracy allegation. This chapter looks at the evidence (i) before the crash, (ii) leading up to the crash, and (iii) after the crash. This chapter is, in effect, an analysis of the sequence of events leading to the decision on the night to use a second Mercedes car from the rear of the Ritz Hotel. Section (i) – before the crash This section looks in detail at the following aspects of Henri Paul’s personal life: 1. Character and relationships. 2. Role and position at the Ritz Hotel. 3. Driving abilities and experience. 4. Attitude to alcohol. 5. General health of Henri Paul. 6. Finances. 7. Links to Intelligence and Security Services. Section (ii) – leading up to the crash This section looks at the evidence of actions prior to the crash and in effect provides a sequence of events for the principal figures: 8. Actions on the day of 30 August 1997 (up to approximately 7pm). 9. Actions on the night of 30 August 1997 (from approximately 7pm–10pm). 10. The plan for Henri Paul to drive a third car from the rear of the Ritz Hotel (10pm onwards). Page 154 CHAPTER FOUR Section (iii) - after the crash This section looks at the actions of the French forensic and toxicology experts: 11. Autopsy of Henri Paul on Sunday 31 August 1997. 12. Further examination/taking of samples from Henri Paul on 4 September 1997. 13. Toxicology results – (particularly alcohol and carboxyhaemoglobin levels). 14. DNA tests of forensic samples. Section (i) – before the crash This section looks in detail at the following aspects of Henri Paul’s personal life: 1. Character & Relationships Henri Paul was born on 3 July 1956 in Lorient, southern Brittany. He was one of five sons to a municipal worker and a schoolteacher. He was educated at the Lyon St. Louis School, where he obtained a Baccalauréat [Paget Note: The French equivalent to A-levels], in mathematics and science. He was also an accomplished pianist. He obtained his private pilot’s licence on 27 June 1976 (Operation Paget Exhibit CG/4 – Private Pilot’s Licence). At the time of his death he was instrument and night flight rated and had logged 605 hours of flying time (Operation Paget Exhibit CG/5 – Flight Log). He tried to fly at least once a month. Between 1 December 1978 and 30 November 1979 Henri Paul underwent his compulsory one-year National Service and went to the Rochefort airbase, where he became ‘Chef de Section Protection’, a security team leader. (Operation Paget Exhibit CG/1 – National Service Certificate) Between 1983 and 1986, the year he joined the Ritz Hotel, Henri Paul sold boats (sailing boats) as a salaried employee. He had also tried to open a private detective agency but the venture did not come to fruition. Laurence PUJOL Partner of Henri Paul until 1995. French Dossier D2208-D2213 In 1989, she was employed at the Ritz Hotel as a member of their office staff in the Personnel Department. She formed a friendship with Henri Paul through their work at the Ritz Hotel that developed into a relationship. Page 155 CHAPTER FOUR Laurence Pujol lived with Henri Paul for approximately two years. She and her daughter moved in with him in 1990, and shared his fifth floor apartment, at rue des Petits Champs, after they had been seeing one another for about a week. Their relationship had its ups and downs and they split up temporarily, getting back together again in 1991. In 1992 they split up once more, although they continued to have a relationship and went on holidays together even though they were no longer living as a couple. In 1995 Laurence Pujol brought the relationship to a complete end. It would appear that apart from a single telephone call to Henri Paul in 1996 they had no further communication. She stated that he had been upset by the breakdown of their relationship but was unable to say whether he may have turned to drink following their separation. She described Henri Paul as an entertaining and fun-loving man with a good sense of humour. He was loyal to those who knew him, which Laurence Pujol described as being one of his most significant traits. He was passionate about certain things and a perfectionist. He had an enquiring mind and had wide-ranging interests She further described Henri Paul as a careful person, who never endangered anyone’s life or safety. He rode a powerful motorbike and enjoyed flying light aircraft. He was openminded and Laurence Pujol described how on occasions Henri Paul would take her to a bar he sometimes frequented. Dominique MELO Friend of Henri Paul for 20 years since school and a Doctor of Medicine. She last saw him during a short holiday in July 1997. French Dossier D2238-D2242 In her statement to French police Dr Melo talked of Henri Paul in detail: ‘To sum up Henry’s personality for you, he was a secretive man who did not discuss his feelings, accepting his responsibilities and dealing with his personal problems on his own. He did not talk about his professional or his private life. He was shy, and did not show his feelings, or acted in such a way that only those close to him could interpret his moods. He was timid, and concealed this at times with provocative attitudes about things in life, expressing in words just what he felt at that moment. He was generous in thought and deed and also sensitive, giving presents that were just right for the recipient’s personality, and not simply to impress. He was intelligent and cultivated without making a show of it, and when he did display these qualities it was done with subtlety, as he was interested in everything : science, international politics, aviation, and people in general. Page 156 CHAPTER FOUR As for his love life, I do not know a great deal, having only met a girl whose first name was Laurence who was his girlfriend some years ago but who he had not been seeing for two years I believe. This young woman, who I must have seen four or five times, although without having had a private conversation with her, had a daughter who meant a great deal to Henry. He was wonderful with her and the split with her mother and to an even greater extent with the child, troubled him. I do not know of him having any other serious relationships and I think, although I am not positive, that he only had short term romances.’ Claude GARREC Long-standing and closest friend of Henri Paul. He had known him since 1973- 1974 and they had shared accommodation in the 1980s. Last saw Henri Paul during the morning of Saturday 30 August 1997, when they played tennis. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 According to Claude Garrec, one of Henri Paul’s closest friends, the break-up with Laurence Pujol made Henri Paul miserable, he stopped flying for a while, kept himself to himself more and started smoking again, having stopped in 1989-1990. He did not notice any change in Henri Paul’s drinking habits. He described Henri Paul as ‘an ordinary man, but exceptional in his culture, his knowledge of music and with a big sense of humour. A conscientious man, serious, who had worked all his life’ and his view of Henri Paul as ‘liking everyone’. Josiane LE TELLIER Owner of a bar close to Henri Paul’s home, she had known him since 1991 and described him as a good friend. French Dossier D1028-D1029 ‘We talked about everything. He was cultivated, pleasant and liked to joke. He had a very caustic sense of humour that I liked… I am shocked by the portrait that the press has painted of Mr Paul. He was not an alcoholic. He was a good man’ Operation Paget Comment Henri Paul, according to his closest friends, was intelligent with an enquiring mind. He was loyal to his friends. While being good company in the presence of his friends, he appeared to keep personal issues to himself. Page 157 CHAPTER FOUR 2. Role and position at the Ritz Hotel Henri Paul began work as a security officer at the Ritz Hotel in 1986. Claude ROULET Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D1008-D1010 He stated that Henri Paul had been introduced to the hotel by a police officer, Jacques Pocher in around 1981-1982. Jacques Pocher was a Judicial Police officer from the 3rd ‘Direction de Police Judiciaire’ (DPJ) [Paget Note: Equivalent to the United Kingdom’s local Criminal Investigation Department]. Claude Roulet had mentioned to him that the Ritz Hotel was planning a security department at the hotel and asked if he was able to recommend anyone. Jacques Pocher recommended Henri Paul. Claude Roulet said that Henri Paul sent him his curriculum vitae, which he then forwarded to Franz Klein, now President of the Ritz Hotel. It was not until 1986 however, when the hotel’s security department was eventually being established, that Henri Paul was considered for the position and eventually employed as Assistant Head of Security. Claude Roulet stated that at the time of his death Henri Paul had been running the security department for about two months following the resignation of the former Head of Security, Jean Henri Hocquet. He described Henri Paul’s role as one of controlling security personnel, managing emergencies and dealing with the recruitment and management of all security personnel. He said that he was conscientious in the workplace and was able to work on his own initiative. Franz KLEIN President of the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2145-D2147 and D5136-D5143 He told police that at the time of his death Henri Paul had been employed as the ‘Deputy Head of Security’ at the Ritz Hotel in Paris since 1986. He was however temporarily performing the role of ‘Head of Security’ at the hotel, as this position had been vacant at the time, following the departure in June 1997 of the former Head of Security Jean Henri Hocquet. Franz Klein has provided background information in respect of Henri Paul’s responsibilities at work. He was responsible for dealing with staff problems. ‘He also dealt with outside contacts on security issues’. He also said, ‘Chauffeuring was not part of Paul’s duties’. Franz Klein described Henri Paul as a conscientious worker who did not drink more than he should. He said Henri Paul was a discreet man and that he knew very little about Henri Paul’s private life. Franz Klein was not on duty on Saturday 30 August 1997, he was on holiday. Page 158 CHAPTER FOUR Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 205 Henri Paul’s duties at the hotel were to follow the procedures for the security department. These included, for example, checking the alarm systems; monitoring the movement of staff in and out of the building; contacting the Fire Brigade and local police station when necessary; maintaining contact with the Préfecture of Police when necessary; attending the lobby and filtering clients as they entered the hotel; conducting fire exercises; walking around checking the hotel; vetting members of staff in conjunction with Josef Gödde (previous Head of Security); conducting checks on the hotel’s two warehouses if necessary. He said that Henri Paul would be involved in the dismissal of members of staff if there was a particular problem, for example if a proven allegation of theft had been made. Henri Paul was not a driver for any of the clients of the Ritz Hotel. Driving was not part of his job. Sometimes he drove to pick up a delivery or to transport luggage, as he did when he attended Le Bourget airport on Saturday 30 August 1997. Jean Henri HOCQUET Former Head of Security at the Ritz Hotel from April 1993 to June 1997. French Dossier D2148-D2153 Jean Henri Hocquet stated: ‘As far as Monsieur Henri Paul’s character is concerned, he was a man with whom I got on well. It was him who got me interested in flying. He was intelligent and perceptive. He never spoke about his private life. He kept a lot of things to himself and did not talk about himself much. I recall that even though he had the professional and intellectual qualities, he never wanted the job of Head of Security. In my opinion, he was wary of the responsibilities that went with the job. He was nevertheless faced with those responsibilities during my leave periods. However, I did occasionally have to sort certain things out upon my return. I know that there were certain rumours about Henri Paul. It seemed as if they were triggered by jealousy because he was on good terms with the Managing Director, Monsieur Klein. I myself was not jealous of him, as certain security tasks were assigned to me alone by Monsieur Klein although M. Paul could have dealt with them. I should add that on security matters M. Paul was first rate. Professionally speaking, M. Paul was beyond reproach.’ Page 159 CHAPTER FOUR Catherine ESPERANDIEU Head of Personnel/Human Resources at the Ritz Hotel in 1997. French Dossier D2132-D2133 She stated that there was no specific role of salaried chauffeur at the Ritz Hotel and that generally vehicles were hired when necessary with accompanying chauffeurs. It was not Henri Paul’s role to drive vehicles for the hotel. She would often take lunch in the hotel with Henri Paul and she had never seen him drunk at work. She last saw Henri Paul on Friday 29 August 1997, when they had lunch together. Later that day at around 6pm they spoke on the telephone. She described him as a ‘very sensitive and shy person’ who ‘was fairly secretive and did not recount his weekends’. Laurence PUJOL Partner of Henri Paul until 1995. French Dossier D2208-D2213 She had heard rumours at the Ritz Hotel that Henri Paul was not liked there. However, she pointed out that the reason for this was because he was able to provide ‘satisfaction to his superiors, namely Klein and Mr Al Fayed’. She further stated that he was nicknamed ‘the Ferret’ at the Ritz Hotel, because staff criticised him for ‘sticking his nose in everywhere’. Claude GARREC Closest friend of Henri Paul. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 Claude Garrec stated that Henri Paul found his job difficult and stressful, but he undoubtedly liked it. He had been introduced to the Ritz Hotel management by a friend in the police, Jacques Pocher. Henri Paul had a good opinion of Dodi Al Fayed and got on well with him. He also had a strong respect for Mohamed Al Fayed and if he was at the hotel, Henri Paul always did his very best for him. Henri Paul told Claude Garrec that he had the use of an Opel Kadett automatic car at the Ritz Hotel to drive to the Villa Windsor and rue Arsène Houssaye. He was required on occasions to check the security at these locations. Claude Garrec stated that Henri Paul preferred automatic cars [Paget Note: Henri Paul’s own Mini was an automatic.] Henri Paul considered that his very good working relationship with Franz Klein, President of the Ritz Hotel, did not always endear him to the rest of the staff at the hotel, including the Heads of the Security Department. Page 160 CHAPTER FOUR Operation Paget Comment Henri Paul took his role and responsibilities at the Ritz Hotel very seriously and was considered by those above him to be conscientious in his work. He liked his job there. The only ill feeling appeared to be from those that resented his good working relationship with the management and owners of the hotel. 3. Driving Abilities and Experience French Dossier D710-D12 and D2150 Operation Paget – Other Document 143 Henri Paul had been on at least four driving courses in Germany run by Daimler- Benz. – 1988 and 1991. Operation Paget has documentation showing the attendance and results of ‘H.Paul’ at such a course on 4 and 5 June 1991. Peter RODGER Metropolitan Police Driving School Police Inspector. Provided statement to Operation Paget - Statement 226 He assessed the standard of the Daimler-Benz course from documentation provided describing the exercises undertaken. (Operation Paget Other Document 143) He stated: ‘It is quite clear from the nature of some of the exercises that these are not activities which one would expect a novice driver to successfully undertake. As an example, the technique which is described for turning a car would require a reasonable degree of competence in physically controlling a car — comfortably beyond that which 1 would expect of a driver at driving test level. (i.e. full driving licence acquisition) The introduction to the course material contains a reference to the fact that the training is geared towards controlling the vehicle in a critical situation. The course laid out in the booklet concentrates heavily on the skills of handling a car, exploring methods of controlling it at, or near to, the limit of the handling characteristics of the car itself. Some of the skills which are demonstrated in the course are not within those which I would expect at all in an ‘advanced’ driving course in the UK, but are clearly aimed more at the role of protecting the occupants of the vehicle from attack by others in another vehicle, or outside the car. They would belong more comfortably in an "antihijack" driver training programme. These include some of the methods for turning a car round, and the methods of attempting to force another vehicle off the road. Page 161 CHAPTER FOUR I would emphasise, however, that the course explores a range of techniques which themselves would not be associated with a new, or novice, driver, and that the car handling skills which are demonstrated are quite "advanced" compared with those used in normal everyday driving by the vast majority of drivers. I note that whilst the course material deals with varying road surface conditions, in terms of their effects on tyre grip, it makes no reference to the effects of changes in the vertical direction of the road — the effect of a sudden dropping away of the road at the start of a downhill section, or indeed of the opposite at the start of an upward slope. These effects are more accentuated with a sudden, rather than a gradual, change. Attached to the material is a set of details which appear to be the results of the course, giving placings and numbers of points. These seem to relate to the dates 4 and 5 June 1991, indicating that this was when the course was conducted. The name H. Paul is included in all of the sets of results. In some cases he appears to have performed well, compared with his fellows on the course, the worst performance being 19th out of 31, the best being first place.’ Jean Henri PAUL Father of Henri Paul. French Dossier D106-D107 To the best of his knowledge, his son obtained his driving licence while he was doing his National Service. As far as he was aware, his son had never committed a driving offence for which he had been disqualified from driving. Claude GARREC Closest friend of Henri Paul. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 In Paris, Henri Paul drove an old black Austin Mini automatic, and in Brittany, his home area he rode a Yamaha V-max motorcycle. To his knowledge, Henri Paul had never previously been involved in a road traffic accident and did not have any points on his licence. Of his driving, Claude Garrec stated: ‘He didn’t particularly like driving cars. If he could let someone else drive, he would, or if he could avoid driving he would. He liked flying planes; that was his passion. And he also had a boat licence. He wasn’t a bad driver, but he wasn’t a particularly good driver either. In passed his driving test in 1979 whilst doing his Military Service. It was renowned for being poor. The reputation was that if you managed a circuit of the compound, the instructor would issue you with a licence. Page 162 CHAPTER FOUR Henri Paul only drove me on rare occasions, for example when he took me to Toussu le Noble airport. It wasn’t a very smooth drive. It was nothing to do with speed, more the fact that he was a little brusque. Nevertheless, he never scared me. This is my personal judgement of course, and I am not a particularly good passenger, but other friends, such as Mr Dominique Melo, are in agreement with me. I remember that Mercedes offered some driving courses to the Ritz hotel staff. In consequence of which Henri Paul went to Stuttgart on two or three occasions. I think the courses were three days and two nights, but they were not anti-hijack or terrorism courses as publicised by the Press. They were courses to teach how to control the vehicle. Timed slaloms, which Henri Paul enjoyed and at every time he enjoyed improving his times. Mercedes courses were only a PR exercise for the vehicle make.’ Claude ROULET Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D710-D712 He stated that Henri Paul had been on two specialist driving courses with Mercedes in Stuttgart in 1990 and 1991. He said chauffeuring had not been part of Henri Paul’s job, however he would have been perfectly capable of doing it. He did not think Henri Paul was authorised to drive limousines. Jean Henri HOCQUET Former Head of Security at the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2148-D2153 Jean Henri Hocquet stated: ‘In reply to your question, it was not at all part of M. Paul’s duties to drive cars or to chauffeur people. I remember that three years ago, he told me that he was going to drive a guest who was in danger of missing his plane. I forbade him from doing this, knowing that we had staff trained and paid to do it and that it was not his job. He possibly resented this slightly, but I was firm and in the right. What is more, if anyone had asked me to drive any vehicle, I would have refused. It was not part of my duties. M. Paul was simply nice, and as an act of friendship and because of his good nature, he could not say ‘no’ and would agree to drive a vehicle. As far as I am aware, between my departure and 30 August 1997 no changes were made to M. Paul’s duties whereby henceforth he had to drive vehicles. Page 163 CHAPTER FOUR In response to your question, it is correct that M. Paul did a driving course at Mercedes in Germany in 1991. This was at the request of M. Göedde [Paget Note: Previous Head of Security], who likes cars. Pairs of employees would take these courses, but not to any specific end. These courses were not relevant to M. Paul’s duties. In the event of a driver really not being available, we might then possibly have called upon a member of staff who had done the course, but that is all. I should point out that in order to drive chauffeur hire cars, you have to be authorised. There were even instances roughly three years ago when staff refused to drive because they did not yet have such a licence. The members of staff in question refused, but M. Klein [Paget Note: President of the Ritz] did not take offence, on the contrary. However, although Mr Dodi Al Fayed did not shake hands with virtually anyone, he did do so with M. Paul. They got on well fairly quickly, each of them clearly knowing where they stood……Knowing M. Paul, I think that he would have been unable to refuse to drive Dodi Al Fayed if he had asked him to do so. I should add however, that M. Gamblin [Paget Note: Ritz Fire Safety Officer] has told me that on the evening of 30 August 1997, M. Paul left as usual at around 1900 hrs, saying ‘see you tomorrow’ and without having received any ‘instruction’ to return at 2200 hrs to drive whomsoever.’ Joseph OREA Commandant in the Brigade Criminelle. French Dossier D1031 He made enquiries at the Department for the Circulation of Transport and Commerce. Henri Paul did not hold a chauffeurs’ licence that would authorise him to drive hire limousines. Jean-François MUSA The owner of Etoile Limousine, the company that provided the Mercedes on the night of Saturday 30 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 200 He stated that in order to become a limousine driver in France it is not necessary to take any sort of special test/exam, but a licence is required for administrative purposes only. This is known as a ‘Grande Remise’. Security/protection driving courses are available in France, but the ‘Grande Remise’ licence is for chauffeuring clients for the purpose of shopping and tourism and there is no special training required for this type of driving. There is an annual technical inspection of vehicles that are used by chauffeurs. The Préfecture of Police is responsible for this. He knew that Henri Paul did not have a ‘Grande Remise’ licence. Page 164 CHAPTER FOUR Olivier LAFAYE Chauffeur for Etoile Limousine. He had parked the Mercedes in the Place Vendôme car park on Saturday night. French Dossier D2578-D2581 He stated that in order to be a hire car chauffeur you needed the standard driving licence and you had to pass a medical examination, which was ratified by the competent department of the police. Maud COUJARD Public Prosecutor, Paris. Recorded in the Final Notice of Dismissal - French Dossier D7576 She addressed the question of culpability of Etoile Limousine, and consequently the Ritz Hotel. In summing up, she stated that in order to prove the offence: ‘It is necessary to show that the manifestly deliberate violation of a specific security requirement or duty of care imposed by the law or by regulations exposed another to an immediate risk of death, serious injury or permanent disability. It cannot however be upheld that non-compliance with the provisions of the Decree of 15 July 1955 and of the Order of 18 April 1966 which require the drivers of hired chauffeur limousines to hold a special licence, directly exposed the plaintiff to an immediate risk of death, serious injury or permanent disability, given that it involved a relatively short journey in town, in other words in a secure road traffic environment, all on board a vehicle which admittedly was a hired chauffeur limousine, but which technically is available to any driver with a class B licence. This complaint was therefore dismissed.’ Operation Paget Comment Henri Paul had attended at least four courses specifically for driving Mercedes cars that took place a number of years earlier. He was not a registered chauffeur in that he did not hold such a licence. Whether he was acting for hire or reward or in a private capacity when driving the Mercedes in the early hours of Sunday 31 August 1997 may be a regulatory issue, but his personal driving licence allowed him to drive vehicles of that type. There was no evidence that he had driven that Mercedes previously. His own Mini car, although obviously smaller, also had an automatic gearbox. Henri Paul was not a novice driver. Page 165 CHAPTER FOUR 4. Attitude to Alcohol Claude GARREC Closest friend of Henri Paul. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 Specifically relating to Henri Paul’s consumption of alcohol, Claude Garrec stated: ‘When I went out with Henri Paul, he normally had a pastis / Ricard drink as an aperitif. Usually he had two before the meal. He didn’t particularly drink wine; he used to say that he could never tell a good wine from a cheap wine. He never took a ‘digestif’, after dinner drink.’ And perhaps most pertinently in relation to the apparent demeanour of Henri Paul, as seen on the Ritz Hotel CCTV cameras, when he returned there just after 10pm on Saturday 30 August 1997, Claude Garrec stated: ‘Henri Paul was a stocky man of about 80kg, he could have a few alcoholic drinks, but I never saw him drunk. At fetes or birthdays, when he drank a little more, you were unable to tell this from his eyes or face or the way he stood. On those occasions, he might have four Ricards, and later in the evening a few beers.’ Asked specifically of his view of how Henri Paul would have reacted if he had been asked to drive on Saturday night 30 August 1997, Claude Garrec stated: ‘You have asked me whether I think that Henri Paul would have driven on the night of 30 - 31 August 1997, after consuming alcohol. On 30 August 1997, Henri Paul was acting Head of security at the Ritz, furthermore Franz Klein was not there, he was on holiday. In my opinion even if Henri Paul had drunk alcohol and had been asked to drive for Dodi Al Fayed, he could not have refused. Furthermore, Dodi Al Fayed would not have known that Henri Paul had been drinking, because Henri Paul did not display signs of intoxication even when he had consumed more alcohol than usual. It would have been a matter of pride for Henri Paul, and to refuse Dodi Al Fayed, would amount to refusing to drive for Mr Mohamed Al Fayed.’ In more general terms, Claude Garrec stated: ‘When Henri Paul had a drink, he was gay, that is, he was funny. After fêtes, we normally stayed over at the venue. In Lorient, when there was an easy 3 kilometre route home we sometimes drove home. Henri Paul is someone who could always control himself. There had been occasions when he had driven after having drunk during the evening, but this did not affect his driving. He never had an accident. He always managed to get home after a night out and he didn’t have any points on his licence. Page 166 CHAPTER FOUR During the second search of Henri Paul’s home address after his death, the Police found a quantity of aperitifs, but this is nothing unusual. He simply had different drinks for his different guests that he may have invited. What the Police failed to mention, is that Henri Paul also had about 240 cans of Diet Coke. He used to drink a lot of it, and get it delivered to his home address. You ask me if Henri Paul used to drink after work. I don’t know, he had a many different circle of friends and I didn’t know them all. He may have had a drink on the way home, but once home, he wouldn’t normally go out again. He liked reading a lot and watching films when he was at home. He never went to the cinema.’ ‘I do not think that Henri Paul was an alcoholic. He wasn’t Tee-total, he was just normal; a ‘bon vivant’, his consumption of alcohol was convivial. But this doesn’t mean that he would let things degenerate. I learned of the medicines Henri Paul was taking to control alcohol dependency only after his death. He never talked to me about this. In my opinion, this was a precautionary measure, because given the stressful nature of his work, he did not want this to become alcohol dependant. In reply to your question, I never saw Henri Paul take any unlawful drugs. Never. None of our group of friends did.’ Laurence PUJOL Partner of Henri Paul until 1995. French Dossier D2208-D2213 She described Henri Paul as someone who enjoyed the occasional drink. She had never seen him drunk and to the best of her knowledge he did not drink for drinking’s sake. Jean HOCQUET Head of Security until June 1997. French Dossier D2148-D2153 ‘During our dinners together, we drank wine with our meals and M. PAUL never got drunk. The only times that I saw M. Paul ‘merry’ was at the large drinks parties at the Ritz. But lots of people were ‘merry’ on those occasions because we were happy and celebrating, but nothing more than that…. I am quite positive, I have never seen Henri Paul drunk. Incidentally, I find what has been written in the press intolerable. In reply to your question, M. Paul drowned his whisky in large glasses of water when having an aperitif. Page 167 CHAPTER FOUR I recall that when he said he could not come to our Friday night meals, M. Paul would sometimes mention the fact that the next day he had to be at the controls of an aeroplane. And it is true that when he had to fly the following day, M. Paul would go to bed early in order to be on form. He was a cautious person. Moreover, the medicals that all pilots have to undergo are thorough, and an alcoholic would not manage to slip through the net. M. Paul however, never had a problem with his medicals. Furthermore, I have never seen M. Paul drinking on duty at the Ritz. And when I was not there, or if we had to take over from one another at night, the slightest incident would have been reported to me.’ Jean Henri PAUL Father of Henri Paul. French Dossier D106-D107 He described Henri Paul as ‘Not the sort of person who was prone to get drunk or to drink more than is sensible’. Dominique MELO Friend of Henri Paul for 20 years and a medical doctor. She last saw him during a short holiday in July 1997. French Dossier D2238-D2242 In her statement to French police Dr Mélo stated: ‘Moreover, for your information, I can tell you that, as a health professional, I know that the medicals for pilots are very thorough and detailed (testing for signs of exogenisation, palpation of the liver, a thorough neurological examination) and that consequently a doctor authorised to perform such an examination could not overlook symptoms of alcoholic impregnation. Henry had undergone such a medical the week before he died and he had been granted his pilot’s licence. In reply to your question, during our holiday together in Cadaques, the last time I saw Henry, he drank like everyone else, but not to excess. On the first evening he was tired and a bit more tipsy than the others. I did not see him taking any medication. He appeared normal during those holidays, just like the other times. He usually drank Perrier, cola, beer and pastis. He did not drink much wine. Reply to Question : He drove slowly and carefully. I have nothing further to tell you about Monsieur Henry PAUL and can only tell you that I am convinced that he would not have drunk alcohol knowing that he might have to drive a car, which leads me to believe that circumstances led him to do so.’ Page 168 CHAPTER FOUR Eric GIGOU Lieutenant, Brigade Criminelle. 9 September 1997. Involved in the search of Henri Paul’s home. French Dossier D2235-D2236 Lieutenant Gigou and Captain Eric Crosnier searched Henri Paul’s flat at Flat A, 33, rue des Petits Champs, Paris 1 in the presence of Laurence Pujol and Claude Garrec. During that search the following items were found: ‘In the lobby • Some cupboard shelving containing various aperitifs, which had been partially drunk to various degrees. (Crème de Cassis, Ricard, Suze, port and beer & other unopened bottles (red wine and champagne) [Paget Note: No specifics as to numbers or levels.] On a table in the lobby • A number of unopened aperitifs bottles. Martini Bianco, Vodka, Pinot, Suze and fortified wine. [Paget Note: No specifics as to quantities.] In the refrigerator • One (1) bottle of champagne • Two (2) small bottles of beer In the kitchen cupboard • Opened aperitif bottles. (Ricard, Bourbon 4 Roses & Martini Bianco) [Paget Note: No specifics as to numbers or levels.] Other drinks in the apartment • Soda waters, cordial & water [Paget Note: No specifics as to quantities.]’ [Paget Note: A previous police search of Henri Paul’s flat on Wednesday 3 September 1997 recorded some but not all of this alcohol; and some was listed in a different location (e.g. Martini in the refrigerator). There was no explanation for the difference in records of these searches, but it may indicate a different emphasis in the search criteria. Lieutenant Marc Monot recorded the result of the first search.] Marc MONOT Lieutenant, Brigade Criminelle. On 3 September 1997 he conducted the search of Henri Paul’s home. French Dossier D965-D967 Lieutenant Monot and Commandant Gerald Sanderson searched Flat A, 33, rue des Petits Champs, Paris 1, in the presence of Henri Paul’s relatives, Jean Paul and Florence Paul and Mr Dominique Mélo. Page 169 CHAPTER FOUR During the course of that search the following items were found: • ‘One (1) broken Casio 64KB Sf-4600 digital diary. (Recovered from Mercedes & handed over by Mr Jean Paul) • Eighteen (18) pieces of paper & business cards. • One (1) piece of paper on an AMF Bowling products letterhead with handwritten note ‘Mr Henri Paul, for you we have taken one or even several bottles of Four Roses. Tel 97/36/03/88, pers 97/36/81/46 David, Pascale’ • A large quantity of packs of non-alcoholic drinks, some in the dustbin. • One (1) bottle of white Martini ¾ empty in refrigerator. • One (1) bottle of champagne (in refrigerator) • Two (2 ) Ericsson mobile phones • Three (3) Sagem Alize main line telephones • One (1) telephone answering/fax machine • Ten (10) page list headed Agenda 95 TDF’ Operation Paget Comment His closest friend Claude Garrec described Henri Paul as convivial, a man who would drink on occasions but he had never seen him drunk. This view was supported by other friends and colleagues Claude Garrec also said that Henri Paul did not display signs of intoxication, even when he had consumed more alcohol than usual. ‘After fêtes, we normally stayed over at the venue. In Lorient, when there was an easy 3 kilometre route home we sometimes drove home. Henri Paul is someone who could always control himself. There had been occasions when he had driven after having drunk during the evening, but this did not affect his driving. He never had an accident. He always managed to get home after a night out and he didn’t have any points on his licence.’ Page 170 CHAPTER FOUR 5. General Health of Henri Paul Dr Dominique MELO French Dossier D2238-D2242 [Paget Note: The use of bold type for the medicinal names is Operation Paget’s own highlighting.] ‘About my role as Henry’s doctor. This was only, as I have said, occasional, as of roughly a year or a year and a half ago. I think I am right in saying that my first prescription at that time was issued at his request following a telephone conversation during which he asked me to give him a prescription for Prozac antidepressant and for Noctamide, a medication prescribed by a Parisian doctor. [Paget Note: Noctamide treats insomnia] I do not know the name of the doctor or the date of the first prescription. When I asked him how this treatment had gone, I got the impression that it agreed with him and that he had regained some enthusiasm for his work together with his joie de vivre, although from time to time depressive episodes did continue, together with feelings of extreme solitude and isolation, which led him on occasion to drink outside a social context, namely alone at home. That worried him, he was afraid that he was becoming dependent and was anxious about not being able to manage this problem on his own. That is why he consulted me and not a doctor that he did not know.’ ‘I recommended that he add two therapeutic drugs to his treatment: Aotal [Paget Note: Also known as Acamprosate] which causes a dislike of alcohol, the efficacy of which is relative, but I felt that this prescription would reassure Henry. I probably did this because he was a friend of mine and I would not have used this substance in that context with one of my regular patients; and Tiapridal, which is a neuroleptic usually with alcoholic connotations. It is used in large doses for persons with massive exogenisation. In Henry’s case, I used this molecule in small doses, especially for its side effects (the neuroleptic is an anti-obsessional, which prevents one from dwelling on things) which enabled him to overcome his personal problems and to be effective in his work and have a regular sleep pattern.’ ‘The alcoholic indication of these last two drugs, Aotal and Tiapridal, had the additional effect of reassuring and protecting him. He had the impression that he was receiving preventive treatment. On certain occasions, when Henri was freed from his professional constraints, or when he was on holiday, he did not take this medication in order to be able to drink alcohol in reasonable quantities, always in a social context. I had authorised him to do this, as Henry did not have the clinical stigmata or the behaviour of a chronic alcoholic. In fact, he led an organised life in Paris, his flat was tidy, he seemed well in himself and well turned out, he was managing to deal with the responsibilities he faced at work, and was reliable and did not forget anything.’ ‘As regards the prescriptions that I gave him, which were always free of charge and sent by post, three must have been repeated several times, these being the four types of medication I have told you about. I think I prescribed them on each occasion. Page 171 CHAPTER FOUR You tell me that the dates were June 1996, November 1996, and March 1997, and these tie in. You tell me that I only prescribed PROZAC from March 1997. That is possible, as he must have had some left from a previous prescription from another doctor. Reply to question: I never prescribed Tiapride Equilium (trade name) to Henri, as this is not a drug that I generally prescribe. From a pharmacological viewpoint, the consumption of alcohol is not advised with this type of medication.’ [Paget Note: French Dossier D2243, D2245 and D2246 contained copies of printouts from Social Security records and a table of prescription medicines purchased by Henri Paul. They listed the drugs prescribed by Dr Mélo and others: Aotal, Noctamide, Prozac and Tiapridal. The records showed these purchases from June 1996 onwards.] Dr Gilbert PEPIN Doctor of Science, Doctor of Pharmacy, Biologist, expert at the Paris Court of Appeal. Based at the independent Laboratoire TOXLAB in Paris. Toxicology Report French Dossier D1329 and D1332 Dr Gilbert Pépin, a toxicologist, analysed the samples taken at the examinations of Henri Paul’s body on Sunday 31 August 1997 and Thursday 4 September 1997. He reported on Tuesday 9 September 1997, listing the substances that he found in the samples. These included: a level of carboxyhaemoglobin, alcohol, fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, tiapride, cotinine and nicotine, with albendazole being found in the hair sample. The Brigade Criminelle undertook further searches of Henri Paul’s home and office on Tuesday 9 September 1997. [Paget Note: The interpretation of these results is discussed in section thirteen of this chapter.] Page 172 CHAPTER FOUR Marc MONOT Lieutenant, Brigade Criminelle. On 9 September 1997 he conducted the search of Henri Paul’s office at the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2187-D2188 Lieutenant Monot together with Major Jean-Paul Copetti and in the presence of Claude Roulet and Bruno Germain (Security Officer) carried out a search of Henri Paul’s office at the Ritz Hotel and found: • ‘One (1) pack IMODIUM 2mg containing single capsule (desk) • One (1) empty pack AOTAL tablets 333mg (in waste basket) • One (1) pack GAOPATHYL containing 5 tablets (cupboard) • One (1) pack GAOPATHYL containing 6 tablets • One (1) box GAOPATHYL containing broken tablets • One (1) pack DOLIPRANE 500mg containing 6 tablets • One (1) tube DOLIPRANE containing 16 tablets’ Operation Paget Comment Aotal, also known as Acamprosate, is a prescription drug that according to the Vidal Dictionary 2006, is used for ‘maintaining abstinence in alcohol dependent patients’. Dr Dominique Mélo had prescribed Aotal to Henri Paul. It was not found in the analysis of samples taken from Henri Paul’s body at the autopsy. The laboratory undertaking the analyses believed they would have identified Aotal had it been present in his body. (Operation Paget Other Document 418 and Message 644) It is the opinion of Professor Robert Forrest [Paget Note: Toxicologist, instructed by Operation Paget] that the absence of Aotal in the toxicological results indicated that if Henri Paul had been taking Aotal, he had not taken any for at least a few days before his death. Imodium treats diarrhoea. Gaopathyl treats indigestion and gastric pain. Doliprane is a French trademark for products containing paracetemol. Page 173 CHAPTER FOUR Eric GIGOU Lieutenant, Brigade Criminelle. On 9 September 1997 he was involved in the search of Henri Paul’s home. French Dossier D2235-D2236 Lieutenant Gigou and Captain Eric Crosnier searched Henri Paul’s flat in the presence of Laurence Pujol and Claude Garrec. In that search the following items were found in the bathroom: - ‘Medicines: - Nifluril, - Aspegic, - Balsamorinhol, - Doliprane jeune enfant, - Rhinathiol, - Spasfon, - Amygdospray, - Ercefluril 200, - Pansarol, - Colyre mydriaticum, - Maalox’ [Paget Note: These medicines are commonly available for the treatment of everyday illnesses and conditions such as: fever and pain relief; inflammation; sore throat; diarrhoea; indigestion etc. ‘Doliprane jeune enfant’ was a paracetemol-based product specifically for children. It is not known why Henri Paul had this at home. His partner, Laurence Pujol and her daughter moved out of Henri Paul’s flat in 1995.] Claude GARREC Closest friend of Henri Paul. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 Claude Garrec, Dr Dominique Mélo and Henri Paul went on holiday to Spain in the third week of July 1997. Claude Garrec claimed that Henri Paul spent hours on the telephone to work, did not relax much and appeared a little stressed. He was unaware of any medication Henri Paul might be taking. He believed that Henri Paul would not necessarily tell him if he had an alcohol dependency problem. His opinion now is that Henri Paul would only have taken these medicines, not because he had a problem with alcohol dependency, but to avoid it becoming a problem, given the sometime stressful nature of his job. In general terms, Claude Garrec was unaware of any health issues for Henri Paul. Page 174 CHAPTER FOUR Eric GIGOU Lieutenant, Brigade Criminelle. French Dossier D2243-D2249 He seized twenty copies of prescriptions and related invoicing counterfoils from Henri Paul’s Social Security File provided to him by the ‘Centre de Sécurité Sociale’. These prescriptions were dated between June 1996 and July 1997. Copies of these prescriptions corroborate Dr Mélo’s evidence. Enquiries were made with the chemists in respect of medication found at Henri Paul’s home and workplace. In brief, these enquiries revealed that he had also been prescribed ‘Orcilline’ [Paget Note: Antibiotic], ‘Nifluril’ [pain relief, antiinflammatory], ‘Doliprane’ [treats fever] and ‘Stillnox’ [treats insomnia]. Dr Jean Claude DAGNEAUX Company doctor for the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2137-D2138 Henri Paul saw Dr Dagneaux once a year. This was normal procedure for all Ritz Hotel staff. He last saw Henri Paul at the beginning of May 1997 for his annual consultation. He had prescribed him medication on only one occasion, that being several months before August 1997. This was an antibiotic for an ear, nose and throat infection. Dr Dagneaux had no knowledge of Henri Paul receiving any other medical treatment. He had not seen Henri Paul as a private patient at his surgery and was unaware of the identity of his General Practitioner. He was however in possession of Henri Paul’s occupational health file. Dr Diane BEAULIEU d’IVERNOIS The doctor who carried out the medical assessment on Henri Paul for his pilot’s licence. French Dossier D7440 She carried out a medical assessment on Henri Paul on 28 August 1997 in respect of his continued medical fitness to fly and to retain his private pilot’s licence. She wrote on the certificate: ‘I, the undersigned, Doctor Diane Beaulieu d’Ivernois, holder of authorisation number 3198 certify that M. Henri Paul of 17, rue Blériot, 56100 Lorient born 3.7.56 in Lorient fulfils the conditions of physical and mental fitness required of nonprofessional pilots.’ In respect of his vision, she added to his private pilot’s medical certificate issued on that day that glasses must be worn for distance work. (Operation Paget Exhibit CG/3) Page 175 CHAPTER FOUR Civil Aviation Authority Operation Paget - Other Document 280 This reference document collates evidence obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Direction Générale de L’Aviation Civile (DGAC), its French equivalent, regarding the rules for medical fitness for civil aviation in 1997. [Paget Note: It seems likely that Henri Paul’s pilot’s medical certificate was a DGAC Class Two and based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation class of medical certification for private flying.] In order to gain such a certificate a pilot would probably have to pass a standard physical and eye examination, a urine test for blood-sugar and protein and an electrocardiogram to look for heart disease. The pilot would have to meet a prescribed standard with regard to lung function, heart and vision, including colour vision, and hearing. There was no requirement for a blood sample to be provided by a pilot for screening or testing for alcohol, although airlines may impose their own screening. For commercial pilots, a pin-prick of blood is obtained to determine cholesterol and haemoglobin levels. Urine is obtained to determine the presence of blood, protein and sugar/glucose. The only circumstances where a blood/alcohol sample and test may be required by them is when a pilot is either reported on as having an alcohol dependency problem, or comes to them to assist with tackling with this type of problem. The United Kingdom standards at the time would rely on self-declaration of alcohol or drug abuse, targeted questioning based upon the applicant’s declarations, or observations at the time of examination. The DGAC Regulations in force in 1997 refer to an X-ray examination being performed during the admission test and then every two years. Henri Paul had a large envelope in his own car at the time of his death that appears to bear the word ‘Radiographie’. Henri Paul’s parents have confirmed to Operation Paget that the envelope from the car contained what they described as ‘chest x-rays’ from 28 August 1997, the day of his medical assessment. Medical examinations and certificates, while indicating good health in general terms, do not specifically test for alcohol levels in the body at the time of examination or give indications of longer-term alcohol abuse. Page 176 CHAPTER FOUR Operation Paget Comment The evidence of Henri Paul’s close friend and doctor, Dominique Mélo, was that Henri Paul was concerned over his own perceived dependency on alcohol. This concern does not appear to have been public knowledge and Dr Mélo prescribed him with medicines to assist him. Henri Paul appeared to be in good health, although he had a number of standard medicines at home and at work to deal with everyday ilnesses. The toxicology in relation to him is dealt with in section thirteen of this Chapter. 6. Finances Jean-Claude MULES Commandant, Brigade Criminelle. French Dossier D4-D9 Jean-Claude Mulès recorded that at the time of his death, Henri Paul had on his person FF 12,565 [Paget Note: Estimated United Kingdom equivalent of £1,256 at a general exchange rate of 10FF = £1] Operation Paget Enquiries French Dossier D4-D9, D106-D107, D967-D974, D975-D985, D990-1006, D2251, D2258-D2311, D2312-D2330, D2331-D2335, D2336, D2337-D2338, D2339, D6091- D6096 With reference to the French dossier, as well as additional documents obtained from French financial institutions by the Brigade Criminelle on behalf of Operation Paget, the following details were recorded in relation to Henri Paul’s accounts. Analysis and comment on these accounts then follows, but it should be noted that, principally, only financial data for November 1996 onwards was provided. The cash on Henri Paul’s person at the time of his death did not appear to have been withdrawn from any of his bank accounts. There was no evidence in the French dossier about where this money came from, or the purpose for which Henri Paul had it. Page 177 CHAPTER FOUR A breakdown of Henri Paul’s bank accounts highlighted the following: Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris A/C No. *******1435 This account is recorded as a ‘Cheque account’ and appeared to be Henri Paul’s current account, opened in 1981. His Ritz Hotel salary of between FF 15,000 and FF 17,000 (other than November 1996 – FF 30,584) was paid into this account at the end of each month. The amount credited in November 1996 may be accounted for by the fact that employees in France are often paid an extra month’s salary just before Christmas. Henri Paul also used this account to pay for gas, electricity, television, local taxes, payments to savings accounts and payment of Diners Club Card bills, as well as other undetermined payments and cheques. A set amount was withdrawn in the middle of each month. From November 1996 to February 1997 the amount was FF 5,154, rising to FF 5,669 from March 1997 onwards. This payment may well have been for rent/mortgage, or regular loan payments. The account showed several large cash deposits. In December 1996, a cash deposit of FF 20,000 and cheque deposit of FF 5,970 were paid into this account. Because no specific data was provided for the period before December 1996, it was impossible to give the provenance of these funds (cash, transfer from another account, sale of shares etc). There was a large cheque withdrawal in May 1997 for FF 80,000. It is not known whose account this cheque was paid into, but within two weeks of this withdrawal, two cash deposits, each of FF 40,000, were made back into this account. There were no transactions (other than direct debits) out of this account after the death of Henri Paul. On 14 October 1997 the balance on the account was FF 370,021 with Laurence Pujol shown as having power of attorney. Barclays A/C No. *******1801 The only data given on the account showed when it was opened on 9 June 1992 and closed on 12 June 1994. Page 178 CHAPTER FOUR Barclays A/C No. *******0801 This account was opened on 9 October 1992 and was referred to as a ‘Dynamic’ account, with capital from this account invested in shares. The statements showed interest paid in and costs withdrawn by the bank every month. The balance of the account was in the region of FF 79,000, with in the region of FF 64,000 invested in shares (with a monthly fluctuation recorded). The exception to this was on 6 August 1997 when FF 40,000 was paid in (not stated if cash or cheque). It would appear that this amount was immediately invested into the same shares. This was one day after FF 40,000 cash was paid into his current account no. *******1435 at the Caisse d’Epargne, Ile de France, Paris. Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris A/C No. ********4976 This was a ‘Securities’ account opened on 11 March 1993. The funds in this account were held in shares but the amount was unclear. There was no movement on the account between 1 September 1996 and 31 October 1997, but the small dividends from the shares appeared to be paid into account no. *******9750 (below). Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris A/C No. *******9750 This was a ‘Share Savings Plan’ opened 11 March 1993. On 28 October 1997, the balance on the account was FF 2,094. Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris A/C No. *******8747 This account was a ‘Home Savings Plan’, although the monthly amounts being paid in were relatively small. The only transactions shown were monthly deposits of FF 300 from his current account, and yearly interest gained. The yearly interest paid on 31 December 1996 was FF 19,829. On 28 October 1997, the balance on the account was FF 453,087. Barclays A/C No. *******0101 The only data provided on this account came from a December 1995 to December 1996 yearly summary and a summary statement for January 1997. No further data was provided. On 18 and 19 December 1996 two separate deposits were made of FF 49,900. On 23 December 1996 a deposit of FF 50,294 was made with reference to the sale of Barclays Bonds Securities C shares. On 2 January 1997, two separate withdrawals were made for the purchase of shares through Barclays and Barclays Europe for FF 99,997 and FF 49,999, leaving the account with a balance of only FF 313. Page 179 CHAPTER FOUR Caisse d'Epargne de Bretagne A/C No. *******4867 This ‘Deposit’ account was also not ‘in use’. Data supplied showed one deposit in December 1996 and then no activity until just after his death. On 10 September 1997 a cash withdrawal for FF 4,000 was annulled. Then there were two cheque withdrawals, made out to Mr and Mrs Jean Paul, the first for FF 40,000 on 10 September 1997 and FF 20,000 on 16 September 1997. BNP A/C No. ****1658 This ‘cheque’ account appeared to have been opened on 10 June 1997, with a deposit shown of FF 500 the following day. The account had a deposit of FF 40,000 on 19 June 1997, and the same amount again on 3 July 1997. The provenance of these funds remains unknown. On 11 July 1997, FF 40,000 was transferred to a new account opened on that day (BNP A/C No.****0916) and on 1 August 1997 a transfer of FF 39,000 was made to another new account opened on this date (BNP A/C No. ****6316 ) No further transactions were made to or from this account. On 15 July 1997 charges for safety deposit boxes were taken from this account. Henri Paul’s parents stated that there was some cash inside, around FF 30,000 and a few letters and papers, given to one of Henri Paul’s friends, Claude Garrec, for safekeeping. BNP A/C No. ****0916 There was very little activity shown for this ‘Property Purchase’ savings account. On the day this account was opened, 11 July 1997, a deposit was made of FF 40,000 from BNP A/C No. ****1658 (see above). On 1 August 1997, these funds were transferred in to a new account opened, BNP ****6316 (see below). No further transactions were made to or from this account, and the balance was shown as zero on 4 August 1997. BNP A/C No. ****6316 The only activity shown in this ‘Savings’ account has been covered in the two previous accounts. This account was opened on 1 August 1997 with two deposits. The first was FF 39,000 from BNP A/C No. ****1658, and the second was FF 40,000 from BNP ****0916. No further transactions were made to/from this account. The balance was shown as FF 79,000 on 4 August 1997. Caisse d'Epargne de Bretagne A/C No. *******4457 This ‘Cheque’ account had not been used since 16 November 1988, and it had a zero balance as at 16 November 1997. Page 180 CHAPTER FOUR Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris A/C No. *******1490 There was no activity shown on this ‘Codevi’ (deposit) account. The account was opened on 21 March 1987 and has not been used since 22 April 1995. The balance was shown on 28 October 1997 as FF 32,366. Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris A/C No. *******1482 There was no activity shown for this ‘Home Savings Plan’ deposit account. The account was opened on 1 December 1987 and has not been used since 15 December 1992. The balance was shown on 28 October 1997 as FF 112,890. Barclays A/C No. *******0851 This account showed little activity, but appeared to be used as a savings account and for investing funds into shares. On 6 August 1997 FF 39,758 was invested into Fonds Communs de Placement (FCP) shares. [Paget Note: FCP in France is a form of shares co-operative, where investors aggregate money to be invested on their behalf.] Two other accounts were referred to in the French judicial dossier. The Caisse d’Epargne savings bank stated that accounts Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris no. *******1426 and Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France Paris no. *******1414 did not exist. It is not known why these were considered to belong to Henri Paul in the first place. (French Dossier D2305) At the time of his death, Henri Paul also had a number of bank and credit cards: • One Visa Caisse d'Epargne bank card no. ** ** ***** 9053 • One American Express credit card no. **** ****** *1002 • One American Express card no. **** ****** *1003 • One Diners Club International credit card no. **** ****** 6017 • One Diners Club International credit card no. **** ****** 0014 Transactions on these cards were not provided in the French dossier. Page 181 CHAPTER FOUR Summary of Henri Paul’s accounts A review of Henri Paul’s fifteen (15) accounts at the time of his death showed that: • There is no data provided for one of the accounts • Barclays A/C No. ** ** ** *0851 refers directly to Barclays FCP B. Invest. Patrimonial N valued at FF 105,112 (referred to in the shares portfolio below) • Three accounts did not have any funds (some of these may have been closed) • In the remaining ten accounts, there was in the region of £124,500 (this is an approximate value as the balance was not necessarily shown on 31 August 1997.) In addition, Henri Paul’s share portfolio at the time of his death consisted of: Barclays Actions France C P FF 111,458 Barclays Europe P FF 61,149 Barclays FCP B. Invest. Patrimonial N FF 105,112 Barclays Obli-placement C FCP P FF 153,766 Shares total of FF 431,485 [approx. £43,148] The combined total of funds from accounts and shares belonging to Henri Paul at the time of his death was close to £170,000. Operation Paget Comment It is important to try to put Henri Paul’s financial situation into context alongside his personal and professional life. Henri Paul was a 41-year-old single man with no children who had worked for most of his adult life. His mother and one of his closest friends gave evidence regarding some financial aspects of Henri Paul’s life. Claude GARREC Closest friend of Henri Paul. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement S235 Claude Garrec, asked for his views on Henri Paul’s finances, stated: ‘As regards Henri Paul’s finances, the Ritz hotel paid him a salary, but I also think that he was receiving tips from clients. Henri Paul once told me that some of the VIPs or members of Royal families staying at the Ritz would leave him very large tips. FF1000 [equivalent to £100] or FF10000 [equivalent to £1,000], the sums were limitless, depending on what help or services Henri Paul organised. The VIPs were obsessive about their security and Henri Paul would help. I believe this explains the sums of money that Henri Paul had at the time of his death. Page 182 CHAPTER FOUR On one occasion, Henri Paul told me that there was an American family who would always want to be picked up from the airport when they visited Paris and stayed at the Ritz; but they only wanted to be picked up by Henri Paul. Henri Paul told me that they left a large tip, but he didn’t say how much. Generally, when I went out with Henri Paul, he always paid in cash.’ ‘His flat, 33 Rue des Petits Champs, was rented from an agency in Avenue de l’Opera; from memory, he paid FF6000 per month [£600]. He also owned a studio flat in the 11th arrondissement [district], Rue Sedaine, which he rented to a student called Sylvie Lambert. His mortgage for this property was with the ‘Caisse d’Epargne’, and the rent paid covered the mortgage, but I do not know how much this was.’ [Paget Note: Henri Paul rented the flat in which he lived, but owned a flat that he rented out to Sylvie Lambert, a student. Rent paid by Sylvie Lambert was not apparent in Henri Paul’s bank records, which may indicate that it was paid in cash.] ‘Henri Paul had a safety deposit box with the ‘Bank Nationale de Paris’ (BNP). When it was cleared after his death, there was an amount of cash, not a fortune, but it is for Henri Paul’s parents to tell you what the sum was. Otherwise, there was nothing else.’ Asked about the large number of bank accounts that Henri Paul held, Claude Garrec stated: ‘It has been suggested in the Press, that Henri Paul had twenty accounts. This is not true. In France, when you open an account at a Bank, the Bank creates sub-accounts, which are linked to the first, for savings, or your house, or simply to keep track of your funds. Given this, and my experience working in financial matters, I can tell you that a large number of accounts are not something that is unusual. You have asked me whether I know where Henri Paul found money to invest in shares. I believe that he would invest the large tips from the hotel into buying and selling shares, but he never discussed his shares or his accounts, and it is not something that I would discuss. I have no knowledge of an inheritance or previous properties that he may have financially benefited from.’ And asked about the cash on Henri Paul’s person at the time of his death: ‘At the time of Henri Paul’s death, it has been publicised that he had a large amount of money in his pocket. I signed for this money, which was in an envelope when the Police restored it. It was certainly not a wedge of money, and I can say that I had seen him with larger sums on previous occasions. He told me that needed to have cash at his disposal to assist Ritz clients and VIPs, as he was often required to pay up front for services or purchases that they had asked him to make. Henri Paul told me that rich people never had money on them. He would be reimbursed by the Ritz, which would bill the client. Page 183 CHAPTER FOUR Henri Paul had recounted to me that he had accompanied Ritz clients from the Emirates to the Galleries Lafayette [Paris department store], and pay for items for them up front; he said that these people were the type to buy a whole rail of clothes. As for his tips, Henri Paul was a modest man, who wasn’t into expensive clothes or cars, and who’s only extravagance was flying. He wouldn’t have been able to spend all his tip money, so he must have placed them into his accounts undeclared. Also, despite his closeness to Franz Klein, it is probable that he would not have told anyone at work about his tips.’ Asked about the cost of Henri Paul’s hobby, flying aeroplanes, he stated: ‘Henri Paul passed his pilot’s licence in 1976, but he had already been flying for a while and had participated in the ‘Tour de France’ for young pilots competition at the age of seventeen. In 1994 he passed his instrument rated night flying licence (instrument rating), which is quite an achievement. I exhibit as CG/4 a photocopy of Henri Paul’s private pilots’ licence, and CG/5 a photocopy of Henri Paul’s flight log. Henri Paul used to hire small planes from time to time, generally four-seaters. At a guess, in 1997, it would cost FF1000 [approximately £100] per hour, but you would only pay for the amount of time the plane was off the ground. On occasion, he flew my wife, my daughter and I to Deauville which is 35-40 minutes flying time away.’ And specifically in relation to any possible payments from security services: ‘My belief is that Henri Paul was never paid by the Security Services…’ [Paget Note: Henri Paul’s relationship with French Security Services is discussed in sub-section (7).] Gisèle PAUL Mother of Henri Paul. Operation Paget - Other Document 518 Henri Paul told his mother, Gisèle Paul, about his work at the Ritz Hotel. She explained that on one occasion he went to a boutique to buy textiles with the wife or daughter of a Saudi Arabian Prince and that he had to pay for everything. He told her that he was later reimbursed and given a FF 5,000 tip [Paget Note: £500]. She said that on other occasions clients left tips for him in envelopes with the hotel reception or the concierge. These could be very large tips, and he did not declare them. In her opinion, these tips were a likely source of the money found in his accounts. Page 184 CHAPTER FOUR Richard TOMLINSON Former British Secret Intelligence Service officer. French Dossier D5160 In evidence before Judge Stéphan in August 1998, he stated: ‘I should point out that it is very common for national security services to try and recruit members of security staff in the big hotels as they are very well placed to pick up information…..I should explain that only MI6, Mossad and the CIA pay their informants, unlike other countries, including France, who would never pay such sums to their informants. The French intelligence services can pay foreign informants, but not French nationals, and not that much money’. Paul LAFFAN Police Officer and Accredited Financial Investigator at the United Kingdom Assets Recovery Agency. He has analysed the financial data available for Henri Paul. Operation Paget - Other Document 392 He calculated that Henri Paul’s worth at the time of his death was FF 1,677,500, equivalent to £170,497, using the exact rate of exchange on 31 August 1997. This did not take into account the market value of property that he owned. It should also be noted that the value of his assets has not been set-off against his mortgage loan and credit card liabilities at the time of his death. Claude Garrec clarified that Henri Paul had taken out a protected loan with Caisse d’Epargne, Ile de France, Paris. The amount of this loan was unknown to Claude Garrec, but Henri Paul’s beneficiaries would have benefited from this loan following his death. The remainder of the funds would therefore appear on the final balance. Paul Laffan stated that, taking into account the lack of evidence to suggest that Henri Paul had an extravagant lifestyle, as confirmed by his close friend Claude Garrec, together with the evidence of his share dealing, it would be reasonable for him to have built up healthy balances in his accounts. French police enquiries revealed that at the time of his death, Henri Paul had two savings/life insurance policies with ‘AXA Assurances Vie’. The beneficiary of both policies was Laurence Pujol, who stood to benefit in the sum of FF 413,414 [approximately £41,341] upon Henri Paul’s death. (French Dossier D6091-D6096) In the ten-month period between November 1996 and August 1997, Henri Paul had FF 172, 992 paid into his account by the Ritz Hotel. It was unclear whether this amount was before or after taxes and deductions, but no tax payments were identified from his accounts (other than local ‘council’ taxes). This equated to an average monthly salary of FF 17,299, which is approximately £20,500 salary over the period of a year in 1996-1997. Page 185 CHAPTER FOUR Much emphasis has been placed on the large amounts of money being deposited and withdrawn from Henri Paul’s accounts. The movement of cash started long before July 1997, when the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed started their relationship. Furthermore, the movement of these accounts (of up to FF 80,000 = £8,000) can at times be attributed to the purchase and sale of shares and at other times to interaccount transfers. If Henri Paul were in the paid employment of security or intelligence services, Operation Paget would have expected the payments to be either in cash (for small amounts) or into covert accounts (larger amounts). Operation Paget Comment Paul Laffan pointed out that from his experience of investigating the proceeds of crime, when an individual is attempting to conceal clandestine or illicit income, it is usual to see a significant amount of traffic on the accounts. Cash deposits are normally transferred out of or between accounts immediately after they are credited, until they have been sufficiently layered to disguise their origin. This layering process is not evident within Henri Paul’s accounts. Henri Paul had deposited around £43,000 in cash/cheques/unknown method into his accounts in the last eight months of his life. Although these amounts were inconsistent with his salary, they were not so large as to be conclusive of Henri Paul’s involvement in illicit or clandestine activity. In France, if a bank considers a financial transaction to be unusual, they can contact TRACKFIN, an inter-Ministerial Department, who will assess if the circumstances require further examination. They can contact a judge, who in turn can instruct the police to make enquiries. In 1997 TRACKFIN was a very new service. Even today, the financial section of the Brigade Criminelle considers banks to be reluctant to engage with this service. There was no evidence that any of Henri Paul’s transactions attracted such an inquiry. It is impossible at this stage to explain all of the movements of cash and finance into and between Henri Paul’s accounts. There could be a number of reasons why someone in Henri Paul’s position would need or receive quantities of cash. His closest friend Claude Garrec stated that large sums of cash were commonplace for Henri Paul because of the services he provided to wealthy clients of the Ritz Hotel, and his parents talked of him receiving £500 tips from wealthy clients. Claims that Henri Paul received cash payments from intelligence or security services could not be proved or disproved from this evidence. His cash flow could not be accounted for solely from known income sources. In the absence of more specific information, different inferences and interpretations can be made in respect of his finances. Page 186 CHAPTER FOUR Richard Tomlinson, a former SIS officer, stated in evidence to Judge Stéphan: ‘I should explain that only MI6, Mossad and the CIA pay their informants, unlike other countries, including France, who would never pay such sums to their informants. The French intelligence services can pay foreign informants, but not French nationals, and not that much money’. 7. Links to Intelligence and Security Services Claims have been made that link Henri Paul both to the British Secret Intelligence Service and to French security services. These alleged links are dealt with in detail in Chapter Sixteen. However, that alleged link with the SIS is also referred to here for completeness and to give a full understanding of the evidence relating to Henri Paul. This section however, focuses primarily on his alleged links to French security services. Marc MONOT Police Lieutenant, Brigade Criminelle. On 3 September 1997 he conducted a search of the home of Henri Paul. French Dossier D975-D985 and D990-D1006 In Henri Paul’s telephone notebooks (computerised at home and hard copy in his office) there were names of police stations, police officers and names and telephone numbers for two people next to the letters DST. [Paget Note: The abbreviation DST stands for ‘La Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire’. The organisation deals with espionage; terrorism; the protection of the French economy; serious and organised crime; and the non-proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.] Isabelle DEFFEZ Police Lieutenant, Brigade Criminelle. On 3 September 1997 she conducted a search of the office of Henri Paul. French Dossier D2204-D2206 Lieutenant Deffez examined Henri Paul’s mobile and home call data from midday on Saturday 30 August 1997 to 12.30am on Sunday 31 August 1997. She recorded the subscriber details of numbers dialled or received. The telephone numbers associated with the DST do not appear in this call data. Page 187 CHAPTER FOUR French Ministry of the Interior Operation Paget Correspondence 875 In response to a request by Operation Paget for judicial assistance, the Deputy Head of the DST confirmed in a French Ministry of Interior note addressed to the Head of the Brigade Criminelle that: ‘Henri Paul, born 3rd July 1956 in Lorient (56), is known to our Department, as a former Head of Security at the Ritz Hotel, 15 Place Vendôme, Paris (1e). As such Henri Paul has been in touch with members of the DST specifically tasked with enquiries in hotel circles.’ Operation Paget Correspondence 905 In a French Ministry of Interior note, it was confirmed that the DST had no information on the whereabouts of Henri Paul following his departure from the Ritz Hotel at 7pm and his subsequent return at 10.10pm. The Direction Générale de la Securité (DGSE) Operation Paget Message 331 The DGSE is the French equivalent in very general terms to MI6. They responded verbally through the Brigade Criminelle that Henri Paul was not known to them. Richard TOMLINSON Worked for the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly referred to as MI6, between 1991-1995. French Dossier D5156-D5162 Interviewed by the French Examining Magistrate, Judge Hervé Stéphan, in August 1998 Richard Tomlinson’s reference to a security officer at the Ritz Hotel working for MI6 is dealt with in detail in Chapter Sixteen and relates to an operational file he read while working for the SIS in the early 1990s. Richard Tomlinson did not specifically name Henri Paul as an MI6 informant. He told Judge Stéphan: ‘I cannot say for sure that it was Henri Paul but I am positive that it was a Frenchman working in the security department of the Ritz Hotel.’ ‘I am certain that this money originated from MI6. This is speculation on my part, but if he was an MI6 informant, it would be quite normal for him to receive money.’ Page 188 CHAPTER FOUR And in his 1999 sworn affidavit he stated: ‘I cannot claim that I remember from reading this file that the name of the person was Henri Paul, but I have no doubt with the benefit of hindsight that this was he.’ Richard Tomlinson has been interviewed by Operation Paget and accepted that the person referred to in that file was not Henri Paul. He did still believe that a person in Henri Paul’s security position at a major city hotel would be likely to be recruited by an intelligence or security agency. Gerald POSNER American author and journalist. A ‘source’ told him that the DGSE were with Henri Paul on the evening of Saturday 30 August 1997. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 116 These claims are dealt with in full in Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen. The claims and conclusions are summarised here. Gerald Posner spoke to a source of his in the United States of America’s National Security Agency (NSA), who had learned from colleagues in French security that Henri Paul apparently had a meeting with a member of the DGSE during the evening of the 30 August 1997. The source stated that Henri Paul was an informant and that it was his informant handler whom Henri Paul met. Gerald Posner’s information on Henri Paul was that ‘His position at the hotel evidently enabled him to obtain details on high-ranking visitors and any liaisons with which they may have been involved. As opposed to high intelligence, this was evidently the level and quality of information Henri Paul pass to the French security agencies. He was a paid informant and no more’. In relation to the alleged meeting on Saturday 30 August 1997 Gerald Posner stated: ‘Although I was not told what this meeting was about that day I was told what it was not about. It had nothing to do with Diana, Princess of Wales. I was told the subject did come up but only in general conversation and that it was pure coincidence that this meeting took place on the same day as the crash occurred.’ The same source also said that Henri Paul was allegedly paid FF 12,560 [Paget Note: This was the amount officially shown in the dossier as being recorded in Henri Paul’s possession at the time of the crash.] The source did not comment on why Henri Paul was paid that amount or what it was for. The source did not know if Henri Paul was paid for specific information or given a regular retainer. Richard Tomlinson, a former SIS officer gave evidence to Judge Stéphan that French intelligence services can pay foreign informants but not French nationals. [Paget Note: The DGSE stated that they had no knowledge of Henri Paul] Page 189 CHAPTER FOUR Gerald Posner was also told by the same source that Henri Paul had relations with the DST and the ‘Renseignments Généraux’ (RG) [Paget Note: A French police department roughly equivalent to Special Branch in the United Kingdom] but that these were less formal. [Paget Note: DST confirmed that Henri Paul had contacts with them to assist in hotel enquiries – see above.] Gerald Posner asked his NSA source if the source would speak to Operation Paget and the source declined. Operation Paget has no details of this person and no way of identifying him/her. Claude ROULET Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel, Paris. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136B He explained that Henri Paul certainly informed the police about the arrival of certain guests. This is the practice in lots of hotels, especially hotels of that star rating. Claude Roulet admitted having done this himself on occasion. The French police never paid for this kind of information, and at most, they gave a token bottle or book at the end of the year. Given his position at the Ritz Hotel, Henri Paul would without doubt have been in contact with the RG, who were always interested in knowing about visits by certain guests. When Claude Roulet passed on information to the RG, he would leave an envelope addressed with a false name with the hotel concierge. This was the normal routine. Claude GARREC Closest friend of Henri Paul. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 He explained his view of Henri Paul’s work with the French security services: ‘My belief is that Henri Paul was never paid by the Security Services, it was simply part of his role as Ritz security.’ ‘If a foreign diplomat came to stay at the Ritz, it was Henri Paul’s responsibility to liase with that country’s Security Services and Protection Officers from these countries, in order to ensure that the correct arrangements were being made at the hotel. In consequence, he also liased with the French Security Services to make sure the arrangements were correct and within the parameters of the Law, i.e. in respect of the foreign Security Services carrying firearms in the hotel, etc… Page 190 CHAPTER FOUR If Henri Paul had secret rapports with Security Services, I did not know about them; and I can’t see Henri Paul leading a double life or being a spy. His contact with the Security Services was purely in relation to his work at the hotel. He also liased with the local Police, in respect of security barriers outside the hotel for VIPs and clearing clients’ parking tickets, and even the more specialised VIP Police for the visits of Madonna or Elton John. Another anecdote Henri Paul mentioned was that by telling the Security Services about the visit of certain persons, if the guest was having difficulty in obtaining a landing permission for a particular airport, the Security Services could facilitate their arrival. Even if the French government didn’t particularly want the client in France, for a political reason, by being informed and facilitating their arrival, they would know where this person would be staying. Henri Paul was confidential about his work and didn’t mention any names. On another occasion, Henri Paul had cause to deal with coordinating the response to the death of one of the United States Ambassador’s in the hotel pool. It was all in the line of his work at the hotel.’ Operation Paget Comment Henri Paul had two telephone numbers alongside ‘DST’ in his telephone contact lists. The DST has confirmed that Henri Paul was known to them and was tasked with ‘enquiries in hotel circles’. They denied being with him on Saturday 30 August 1997. The DGSE stated that they did not know Henri Paul. Gerald Posner gave ‘source’ information that they were with Henri Paul on Saturday night. Even if correct, the source stated that the meeting was of a routine nature and not connected to the Princess of Wales’ visit to Paris. She was apparently only discussed in passing. Claude Garrec stated that: ‘If Henri Paul had secret rapports with Security Services, I did not know about them; and I can’t see Henri Paul leading a double life or being a spy. His contact with the Security Services was purely in relation to his work at the hotel. He also liased with the local Police, in respect of security barriers outside the hotel for VIPs and clearing clients’ parking tickets, and even the more specialised VIP Police for the visits of Madonna or Elton John’. [Paget Note: Law enforcement agencies, as a matter of course, encourage close contacts with heads of security at major hotels.] Page 191 CHAPTER FOUR Section (ii) This section looks at the actions of Henri Paul and other principal figures before the crash, and provides a chronology of events. There are three separate time periods: 8. Actions on the day of 30 August 1997 (up to approximately 7pm). 9. Actions on the night of 30 August 1997 (from approximately 7pm – 10pm). 10. The plan for Henri Paul to drive a third car from the rear of the Ritz Hotel (after 10pm). 8. Henri Paul’s actions on the day of 30 August 1997 Henri Paul appeared to have known of the visit of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed on Friday 29 August 1997. He made plans with other staff on that day to meet and assist the couple on their arrival on Saturday 30 August 1997. Henri Paul drove Dodi Al Fayed’s Range Rover to Le Bourget airport on Saturday and collected the staff accompanying the couple and their baggage. Kieran Wingfield, one of Dodi Al Fayed’s bodyguards, travelled in this car. His usual chauffeur, Philippe Dourneau, in a hired Mercedes S600, collected Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales. Trevor Rees-Jones, his principal bodyguard, accompanied them. a) Prior knowledge of the visit Franz KLEIN President of the Ritz Hotel. He was in day-to-day control of the Ritz Hotel, but was on holiday in Antibes in August 1997. French Dossier D5136-D5143 Franz Klein stated that he spoke to Dodi Al Fayed on 18 or 20 August 1997, who said that he was planning to go to Paris with his ‘girlfriend’ at the end of the month. Franz Klein knew this to be the Princess of Wales. Then, two or three days before their arrival, he found out that they would be arriving on Saturday 30 August 1997. Dodi Al Fayed telephoned Franz Klein from the boat on Friday 29 August 1997 to say he was travelling to Paris the following day. Page 192 CHAPTER FOUR Claude ROULET Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D5144-D5150 He recalled being informed by Dodi Al Fayed a couple of days before the visit that he would be coming to Paris with the Princess of Wales. Claude Roulet stated that he was involved in making the arrangements for their visit. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136A and C Claude Roulet believed he was told the flight details on either 27 or 28 August 1997. He stated that Mohamed Al Fayed or Franz Klein told him the date of arrival one or two days beforehand. On Friday 29 August 1997 Mohamed or Dodi Al Fayed again told him of the arrival time at Le Bourget airport. On Friday 29 August 1997 he informed Henri Paul of the visit. Claude Roulet confirmed that Henri Paul was not meant to be on duty that weekend, but came in to help with the arrival and transport of Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales from the airport. Philippe DOURNEAU Dodi Al Fayed’s regular chauffeur in France. French Dossier D4907-D4911 On Friday 29 August 1997, Henri Paul asked Philippe Dourneau, Dodi Al Fayed’s regular driver, to have a Mercedes ready in order to collect the couple from the airport and that he himself would be driving the Range Rover. Jean-François MUSA Owner of Etoile Limousine and a professional chauffeur. French Dossier D713-D717 On Friday 29 August 1997 Henri Paul asked him to make himself available for chauffeur duties outside the Ritz Hotel at about 5pm the next day. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 200 Jean-François Musa stated: ‘I don’t remember what I did during the day on Saturday 30 August 1997, but I got to the Ritz late in the afternoon. I was with the Range Rover by about 17.00hrs or 18.00 hrs. As far as I know there was no reason why Mr Paul couldn’t have driven later that day if required, but I didn’t ask why he couldn’t have driven that evening, as I felt it was an honour for me.’ Page 193 CHAPTER FOUR Gérald GUEHENEUX A freelance security officer occasionally employed at the Ritz Hotel. He was employed at the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment on Saturday 30 August 1997. French Dossier D2170-D2173 He stated that he had been given instructions by Henri Paul to provide external security at Dodi Al Fayed’s apartment. On Friday 29 August 1997, Henri Paul told him that Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales would be arriving in Paris on Saturday 30 August 1997. He was asked to stay at the apartment, together with the Ritz Hotel fire safety officer, Didier Gamblin, until the couple left, which he believed was to be the afternoon of Sunday 31 August 1997. Didier GAMBLIN On security duty outside the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment. French Dossier D2174-D2178 ‘On 30 August 1997 I started work at 2 p.m. on Mr Paul's instructions. That had been agreed since the previous Thursday and confirmed on Friday 29.8.97. [Paget notethis is the only reference to Henri Paul possibly knowing on Thursday of the visit] I was supposed to be at the entrance of the building at 1 rue Arsène Houssaye, in the lobby near the concierge's room. My job was to make sure that when they arrived the Princess and Dodi did not have any problems with the paparazzi, knowing they had been followed by them for quite a while. Then we were to help them in and out of the building if necessary.’ b) The morning of 30 August 1997 Henri Paul played tennis with Claude Garrec, as was their custom. Claude Garrec Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 Claude Garrec described his time with Henri Paul on Saturday morning 30 August 1997. He collected Henri Paul from his flat, sometime shortly after 9.25am, to play tennis. They drove thirty minutes to the tennis courts, passing through the Alma underpass en route. They played for about one hour then returned to a bistro, ‘Café Pelican’ near Henri Paul’s apartment, for a drink. Claude Garrec drank a beer and Henri Paul had cola. Henri Paul seemed in good spirits. He was happy, because he had just passed his annual pilot’s medical assessment. They spoke about everyday things. Henri Paul told him that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were due to arrive at Le Bourget airport at around 3pm that afternoon and that he was to collect them. He did not appear star-struck; he had already met them before. Page 194 CHAPTER FOUR He did not mention what they were intending to do whilst in Paris. Claude Garrec was not sure if Henri Paul himself was aware of their plans. He asked him what a woman like the Princess of Wales was doing with a man like Dodi Al Fayed, and Henri Paul said, “Dodi Al Fayed is a nice guy”. When they parted they simply said “See you tomorrow”, but that could either mean that they would see each other or speak by telephone. Claude Garrec did not see or speak to Henri Paul again before he died. c) The early afternoon of 30 August 1997 Badia MOUHIB Female friend of Henri Paul, she had known him for three weeks. French Dossier D2222-D2224 She told police that she had last spoken to Henri Paul on Saturday 30 August 1997 some time between 12pm and 1pm. She had called him on his home telephone number, which was the only number she had for him. She told him how she was doing and he told her that he could not see her that evening, but that she should ring him the next day at 3pm. She did not visit Henri Paul at his address that day. Josette ZEITOUN Neighbour of Henri Paul. French Dossier D2253-D2256 She told police that she had seen Henri Paul leaving his flat at about 1pm on 30 August 1997. She said that he was in the company of a young blonde woman but she did not know who she was. Bernard LEFORT Barman at the Bar de Bourgogne, close to Henri Paul’s home. French Dossier D1026-D1027 Bernard Lefort, when interviewed on 5 September 1997, stated: ‘On Sunday 31 August, at around 3 or 4pm, a young blonde woman, aged about 25, came into the bar asking for “Monsieur Henri”. At that time, not knowing the name of the customer, and being unaware that he had been involved in the accident, I was unable to help this lady who, incidentally, it was the first time I had seen. She was not a journalist, I am sure about that.’ [Paget Note: Henri Paul’s parents described a blonde woman turning up at Henri Paul’s flat in the days after his death and asking for a memento by which to remember him. She gave her name as Françoise, but they have no other information about her.] Page 195 CHAPTER FOUR d) Saturday afternoon, 3.20 pm (approximately) The Princess of Wales, Dodi Al Fayed and their party arrived at Le Bourget airport. Kieran ‘Kes’ WINGFIELD Bodyguard accompanying Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales. He flew with them to Le Bourget airport, Paris. He travelled in the Range Rover driven by Henri Paul that afternoon. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 20A ‘We arrived at Le Bourget Airport and the paparazzi were already there. Two vehicles were there and Trevor and Philippe were with Dodi and the Princess and I went in the black Range Rover with Henri Paul and a couple of lasses and René [Paget Note: René Delorm, butler to Dodi Al Fayed.] That was the first time I met Henri Paul. He drove us from the airport and he drove all right. He kept convoy under pressure and he did ok. When we left the airport we didn’t know where we were going. Trevor and I had our 2-way radios to communicate between us. En route Trevor said the Princess had an appointment, I think it was with a hairdresser, and we were told to go to the apartment [Paget note - Dodi Al Fayed’s apartment in the rue Arsène Houssaye] to drop the bags off. We dropped the maids and the kit at the apartment and it was then late in the afternoon that I twigged that we were definitely staying in Paris - but I thought we’d be staying at the Ritz and not there. I do also recall that I paid a visit to the Villa Windsor at some point in the afternoon and spoke with Ben Murrell. I cannot remember why I went there but there would have been a reason.’ [Paget Note: Philippe Dourneau drove Dodi Al Fayed, the Princess of Wales and Trevor Rees-Jones to Villa Windsor in the Mercedes. Henri Paul and Kieran Wingfield, having dropped the luggage and other members of the party at the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment, briefly joined the group at Villa Windsor. Henri Paul and Kieran Wingfield then followed the Mercedes to the Ritz Hotel, arriving at the rear entrance in rue Cambon.] e) Arrival at the Ritz Hotel – 4.32pm Jean-François MUSA Owner of Etoile Limousine and chauffeur. French Dossier D4934-D4937 Henri Paul asked Jean-François Musa to drive Dodi Al Fayed to Repossi jewellers in Place Vendôme opposite the Ritz Hotel, which he did. At about 6pm, Henri Paul told Jean-François Musa to drive the Range Rover for the rest of the evening, whilst Philippe Dourneau drove the Mercedes S600. Page 196 CHAPTER FOUR Pierre HOUSSAIS He worked at the security entrance of the Ministry of Justice, situated at the Place Vendôme, next to the Ritz Hotel. He had known Henri Paul for some time. French Dossier D2220-D2221 He remembered seeing Henri Paul in the late afternoon of Saturday 30 August 1997 standing outside the Ritz Hotel watching the movements of the journalists present. He had also seen him a few hours before, when Henri Paul had told him he had been to collect the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed from Le Bourget airport. He was not specific as to times. François TENDIL Security officer at the Ritz Hotel, he began work at about 7pm on Saturday evening, 30 August 1997. He spoke with Henri Paul before Henri Paul left the hotel. French Dossier D2160-D2163 At around 7pm at the hotel, Henri Paul told François Tendil that he was just finishing work for the day. The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had already left the hotel by this time and Henri Paul told him that the evening would be quiet as the couple were not expected to return. François Tendil nevertheless asked for instructions in case of an unexpected change of plan and had to press Henri Paul for this because as far as Henri Paul was concerned the arrangements were made and the couple would not be returning. Henri Paul did however tell him that if there were any problems he could be reached on his mobile telephone. This was the usual procedure; Henri Paul was always contacted on his mobile telephone. Henri Paul then left the hotel. He did not tell François Tendil where he was going. François Tendil stated: ‘When, upon the couple’s return, I had occasion to call him, and the situation was really unclear, I reached him on his mobile. I cannot tell you if there was any background noise, Mr Paul told me that he would be there straight away, and this he did in a matter of minutes at most.’ Didier GAMBLIN Fire safety officer at the Ritz Hotel, he assisted by providing security at the entrance to the apartment building at rue Arsène Houssaye on 30 August 1997. French Dossier D2174-D2178 ‘The couple arrived at about 7.15 in the evening. My colleague and I had been told by Mr Paul that the car was leaving the Ritz to go to the flat. But when they were approaching we were not warned that they were about to arrive, as sometimes happens. Page 197 CHAPTER FOUR I phoned Mr Paul to ask if we were just supposed to protect the couple or if we should also stop the photographers taking any pictures. Mr Paul said we should just protect them and let the photographers take pictures, as long as the paparazzi didn't come near the cars and stayed at the end of the street… Mr Paul had rung me to say that the couple were due to come out at 9 pm but it took longer. Mr Paul told me he was going to leave the hotel. That call was made at about 7.30. Mr Paul had come to the end of his day and he was going home, he told me that in so many words. He also said that my job would be finished when the couple left the flat to go to a Paris restaurant, "Le Benoit". That was what had been arranged. My colleague Gérald was due to stay over for the night because he was on night duty and I was coming back at about 8 o'clock the following morning (31.8.97) to work the Sunday with Gérald. Gérald was due to finish about 9.30 on the morning of 31.8.97. Mr Paul would definitely have come and joined me in rue Arsène Houssaye at about 8 o'clock, as he had told me. We were going to look after the couple in the daytime on Sunday and when they left the flat. The couple came out at about 9.45 in the evening. Although we had come to an agreement with the paparazzi they did not do what we had asked theMr They came closer to the car than expected, although they didn't rush forward as they had done when the couple arrived. But when the couple's car drove off they went completely crazy. They called their motor bikes and set off like lunatics to follow the car. They could have knocked pedestrians over on the pavement. People had to press themselves against the wall to let the paparazzi's motor bikes past, they were driving on the pavement… I was surprised to hear that the couple had come back to the hotel instead of going to the "Le Benoit" restaurant. I think that must have been decided in the car because of the number of paparazzi following the car. I think they decided it was better to have dinner at the hotel, where Dodi was at home and it would be quieter for them. Mr Tendil told me there had been a lot of trouble when the couple got to the hotel at about 10 o'clock. The outside grilles had had to be closed, which is only done when there is an invasion of paparazzi. I was also surprised when I heard that Mr Paul was at the hotel in the evening because he had told me on the phone he was going home. Mr Tendil explained that he had told Mr Paul about the problems and said the couple were coming back to the hotel, so Mr Paul returned to the hotel.’ David BEVIERRE Ritz Hotel security officer. French Dossier D2179-D2182 He saw Henri Paul at about 7pm on the hotel CCTV system leaving via the front entrance. The front entrance leads onto Place Vendôme. He later saw Henri Paul return to the hotel just after 10pm. Page 198 CHAPTER FOUR [Paget Note: CCTV evidence from the Ritz Hotel showed Henri Paul leaving the hotel through the front entrance revolving doors at 7.01pm. He turned left, walking into Place Vendôme.] Operation Paget Comment The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had travelled from Le Bourget airport to the Ritz Hotel via the Villa Windsor. Around 7pm, they travelled to the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment. Henri Paul and Claude Roulet put in place many of the travel and security arrangements for the arrival of the couple on Saturday 30 August 1997. Most of this appeared to have been done on Friday 29 August 1997. They appeared to have known about the visit one or two days beforehand. Henri Paul drove the Range Rover to Le Bourget airport to collect some of the party. He dropped some of the party and the luggage at Dodi Al Fayed’s apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. He then drove Kieran Wingfield to Villa Windsor to meet up with the couple who were being driven by Philippe Dourneau. The Mercedes and the Range Rover were driven to the Ritz Hotel. The couple stayed there until around 7pm, when they left for the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment. Jean- François Musa had taken over driving duties for the Range Rover as arranged the previous day by Henri Paul. Henri Paul went off duty, not expecting to return to the hotel that night. It is not known why Henri Paul asked Jean-François Musa to cover driving duties from around 6pm onwards rather than continue to drive himself. 9. Henri Paul’s Actions on the Night of 30 August 1997 This sub-section examines the hours from 7pm until the time Henri Paul was recalled to the Ritz Hotel by the night duty security officer at approximately 10pm. After finishing his work for the day, Henri Paul left the Ritz Hotel just after 7pm. François Tendil, the night duty security officer, called Henri Paul on his mobile telephone at around 10pm to tell him that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had unexpectedly returned to the hotel. Of particular relevance are: i) Henri Paul’s whereabouts in the three hours between 7pm and 10pm and ii) His recall to the Ritz Hotel on Saturday night at around 10pm. Page 199 CHAPTER FOUR i) Henri Paul’s whereabouts from 7pm – 10pm Didier GAMBLIN Fire safety officer at the Ritz Hotel. He assisted by providing security at the entrance of the apartment building at 1 rue Arsène Houssaye on 30 August 1997. French Dossier D2174-D2178 ‘Mr Paul told me he was going to leave the hotel. That call was made at about 7.30. Mr Paul had come to the end of his day and he was going home, he told me that in so many words…’ ‘I was also surprised when I heard that Mr Paul was at the hotel in the evening because he had told me on the phone he was going home.’ Claude ROULET Described talking to Henri Paul outside the Bar de Bourgogne at around 7.30pm on Saturday night. The bar was very close to Henri Paul’s home address. French Dossier D710-D712, D1008-D1010, D2129-D2130, D5144-D5150 In his first statement to police on the day after the crash, 1 September 1997, he stated that he saw Henri Paul at about 7.30pm in the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’ in the rue des Petits Champs. The following day, in his second statement to police, it is recorded: ‘To reply to your question, I do not know where Mr Paul was between the end of his shift and his return to the hotel. Nobody at the hotel knows this at this point in time. I have just heard that he might have been with friends. I do not think that he was far away from the hotel as it took him fifteen minutes by car to arrive from the time of the telephone call.’ It was not clear here if Claude Roulet was merely stating that he did not know where Henri Paul was for the full three hours that were unaccounted for. Six days later he was again very specific when challenged on the particular point of seeing Henri Paul. In his statement to police of 8 September 1997 he said: ‘You inform me that according to the accounts of staff in the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’, Henri Paul was not in that café on Saturday 30 August at around 1930hrs as I have stated but that he was there the day before. However, my recollection is that it was that evening. I remember that Henri was at the bar. I called him and he came out and chatted with me for a few moments. I cannot tell you anything about the café staff, as I did not pay any attention to them.’ Page 200 CHAPTER FOUR Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statements S136A and S136B He was able to be specific that it was the night of Saturday 30 August 1997 because he was able to reference it to the events of that night. ‘On 30 August 1997 I finished work and left The Ritz at aound 1900 or 1915hrs having asked Dodi if there were any further instructions [Paget Note: According to the CCTV footage, Claude Roulet left the hotel at about 8.20pm, a fact he acknowledged in a later statement]. Dodi and the Princess left via the rear door to go to the Rue Arsene Houssaye before I left. They were supposed to go to Chez Benoit, so I did not leave any instructions for the staff. As I was walking home, via the Rue des Petits Champs, I saw Henri Paul in the Bar de Bourgogne, it was five or seven minutes away from The Ritz. He was on his own at the bar by the glass door, which was open. He was drinking something, but I cannot say what it was. We briefly exchanged a few words. I told him that I was in a hurry because I wanted to grab a bite to eat before going to wait for the couple outside Chez Benoit. After I left Henri Paul, I do not know what he did. I do not remember if his car was parked opposite. At the time, I was living at **, rue Montmartre in the second arrondissement. Henri Paul was not meant to be on duty on 30 or 31 August 1997, but he had come to help out for the arrival of Dodi and the Princess. He finished work at around 1900hrs, and he was not due back in until Monday, 1 September 1997.’ [Paget Note: Claude Roulet’s evidence placing Henri Paul at the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’ was first given on 1 September 1997. Claude Roulet has been interviewed a number of times during the course of this inquiry, and has stood by this recognition evidence.] Claude Roulet made two attempts that evening to speak with Henri Paul on the telephone. This was to complain about the length of time it took to get through by telephone to the security officer at the hotel. Claude Roulet rang Henri Paul’s mobile telephone number at 9.57pm and immediately after, at 9.58pm, his home telephone. There was no reply to either call, Claude Roulet reaching voicemail and answerphone. [Paget Note: These calls were confirmed by telephone data from Claude Roulet’s telephone.] Bernard LEFORT Waiter at the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’, he was working in the bar on the evening of Saturday 30 August 1997. He had known Henri Paul for two weeks. French Dossier D1026-D1027 He told police on 5 September 1997 that to the best of his recollection he did not see Henri Paul in the bar that evening or during that day, and that on the occasions that he had seen Henri Paul in the bar during the month of August 1997 he had never served him alcohol. Page 201 CHAPTER FOUR He worked from 12.30pm until 11pm on Saturday 30 August and was away from around 4pm to 4.30pm shopping. All the time he was there he was behind the bar. He had been helping his sister out in the bar since 15 August 1997 and in that time he believed he had seen Henri Paul about three times. He believed that Henri Paul had been in the bar on Friday 29 August 1997, at around 6pm, for a shandy. Myriam LEMAIRE Owner of the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’. French Dossier D1024-D1025 On 4 September 1997 she told police that Henri Paul had been a regular in her bar for a month and a half. She stated that he called in on Friday 29 August 1997, at around 8.30pm, and had a shandy. She worked from 11am on Saturday 30 August to 1am on Sunday 31 August 1997. She did not see Henri Paul during that day. She thought that he did not have a car, as she always saw him on foot. Josiane LE TELLIER Owner of a bar called ‘Le Champmeslé’ just off rue des Petits-Champs, about 50 metres from the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’ and Henri Paul’s home address. French Dossier D1028-D1029 In her statement of 5 September 1997 she said: ‘I knew Mr Paul very well as he lived in the same area as me. In fact, we have been acquainted since about 1991 and in that time we had developed a good relationship. With regard to the day of Saturday 30th August, I saw Henri at about 22.00 hours. He came into the bar and shouted out “see you soon, girls”. We saw him take his car, a black Austin Mini that he habitually parked at our establishment. He waved and drove off very calmly. He arrived from the direction of his home and he was holding a small white bag.’ Page 202 CHAPTER FOUR Telephone conversation with Operation Paget - Message 762 Further to her interview on 5 September 1997, Josiane Le Tellier said that Henri Paul came into her bar between 9.30-9.45pm on Saturday 30 August 1997. She said that he was in the bar for a short while, did not have a drink, and did not appear drunk. He made an appointment to meet up with friends from the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’ later that evening at around midnight. They were in the ‘Champmeslé’ at the time, but she does not know their details. He then left in his car, which was parked directly outside the bar. Jean-Paul COPETTI Commandant, Brigade Criminelle. French Dossier D2253-D2256 He led enquiries to establish Henri Paul’s whereabouts between the time he left work on the evening of 30 August 1997 at about 7pm and the time he returned to work shortly after 10pm. These enquiries were restricted to Henri Paul’s apartment building at 33, rue des Petits Champs, and to the nearby business premises on the rue Chabannais and the rue des Petits Champs. The enquiries made did not identify any other witnesses to Henri Paul’s whereabouts during this three-hour period. François TENDIL Telephoned Henri Paul around 10pm to inform him of the couple’s return to the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2163 ‘When, upon the couple’s return, I had occasion to call him, and the situation was really unclear, I reached him on his mobile. I cannot tell you if there was any background noise, Mr Paul told me that he would be there straight away, and this he did in a matter of minutes at most.’ Claude GARREC Closest friend. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 235 He was unaware of Henri Paul’s whereabouts during these hours, despite subsequently speaking to mutual friends in an attempt to find out. Page 203 CHAPTER FOUR Gerald POSNER American Author and Journalist. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 116 He claimed that an unnamed source linked to intelligence agencies in the USA had information that Henri Paul spent the last hours before the crash with the DGSE. He said: ‘Although I was not told what this meeting was about that day I was told what it was not about. It had nothing to do with Diana, Princess of Wales. I was told the subject did come up but only in general conversation and that it was pure coincidence that this meeting took place on the same day as the crash occurred. He was paid FF12, 560.’ There was no corroboration for this information and the source cannot be identified. Operation Paget Summary Didier Gamblin, a work colleague, stated that Henri Paul told him in a telephone call at around 7pm on Saturday evening that he was going home after finishing work. Claude Roulet and Josiane Le Tellier gave recognition evidence of seeing Henri Paul near his home address, at around 8.30pm and 9.30pm-10pm respectively. Both knew Henri Paul very well. They were not giving visual identification of an unknown person. Claude Roulet saw him in the ‘Bar de Bourgogne’ on Saturday evening. The bar was close to Henri Paul’s home address, about five to seven minutes’ walk from the Ritz Hotel. Claude Roulet referenced this specifically to Saturday 30 August 1997 because he was able to relate it to the events of that evening, in particular, the couple’s intention to dine at the Chez Benoît restaurant. Josiane Le Tellier talked of Henri Paul briefly entering her bar, the ‘Champmeslé’, at around 10pm before he headed off in his car. This coincides with his return to work at that time on Saturday 30 August 1997. She mentioned Henri Paul making arrangements with friends in the bar to meet them later that night. None of these people appear to have made their knowledge of Henri Paul known to police, or subsequently to Claude Garrec when he made his own enquiries to trace Henri Paul’s whereabouts on the Saturday night. François Tendil called Henri Paul on his mobile telephone at around 10pm. He could not provide any information as to his whereabouts. He could give no information about background noise that may have assisted linking Henri Paul with a location. Page 204 CHAPTER FOUR Myriam Lemaire and Bernard Lefort, two of the staff at ‘Bar de Bourgogne’, interviewed on 4 and 5 September 1997, stated that Henri Paul was in their bar on Saturday 30 August 1997. They were less familiar with Henri Paul, having known him for six weeks and two weeks respectively. They stated that Henri Paul drank a shandy in the bar on Friday evening, 29 August 1997. There was no indication of how they referenced this date. The police officer responsible for local enquiries, Jean-Paul Copetti, could not trace further witnesses to the whereabouts of Henri Paul. ii) Henri Paul’s recall to the hotel at around 10pm There were three questions pertinent to Henri Paul’s recall: a) Did Henri Paul believe his work was finished for the day when leaving the Ritz Hotel around 7pm? b) Who made the decision to change the couple’s dinner venue from the Chez Benoît Restaurant to the Ritz Hotel and when was this done? c) How was Henri Paul recalled to the Ritz Hotel around 10pm, following the return of the couple? a) Did Henri Paul believe his work was finished for the day when leaving the Ritz Hotel at around 7pm? Didier GAMBLIN On security duty outside the rue Arsène Houssaye apartment. French Dossier D2174-D2178 Didier Gamblin said in his statement to French police: ‘Mr Paul had rung me to say that the couple were due to come out at 9 p.m. but it took longer. Mr Paul told me he was going to leave the hotel. That call was made at about 7.30. Mr Paul had come to the end of his day and he was going home, he told me that in so many words. He also said that my job would be finished when the couple left the flat to go to a Paris restaurant, "Le Benoit". That was what had been arranged. My colleague Gérald was due to stay over for the night because he was on night duty and I was coming back at about 8 o'clock the following morning (31.8.97) to work the Sunday with Gérald. Gérald was due to finish about 9.30 on the morning of 31.8.97. Mr Paul would definitely have come and joined me in rue Arsène Houssaye at about 8 o'clock, as he had told me. We were going to look after the couple in the daytime on Sunday and when they left the flat.’ Page 205 CHAPTER FOUR François TENDIL Night Duty Security Officer, Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2160-D2163 In the hotel at around 7pm Henri Paul told him that he was just finishing work for the day. The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed had already left the hotel by this time and Henri Paul told François Tendil that the evening would be quiet as the couple were not expected to return. François Tendil nevertheless asked for instructions in case of an unexpected change of plan, and had to press Henri Paul for this because, as far as Henri Paul was concerned, the arrangements were made and the couple would not be returning. Jean-François MUSA Owner of Etoile Limousine and occasional chauffeur. He described the couple leaving the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye. Interviewed by Judge Devidal - French Dossier D4934-D4937 ‘As it happened, the departure was delayed and it was only at around 2100 or 2130 hrs that the couple emerged and we set off again. We actually ended up going to the Ritz, obviously there had been a change of plan on their part. At the Ritz I found to my surprise that Mr Paul had returned, because when we parted company he had said to me ‘call me when you get finished this evening so that I can make the arrangements for tomorrow.’ Claude ROULET Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136A He stated that Henri Paul finished work at around 7pm on Saturday 30 August 1997 and was not due back in until Monday 1 September 1997. Operation Paget Comment (a) Did Henri Paul believe his work was finished for the day when leaving the Ritz Hotel at around 7pm? The evidence of Didier Gamblin, François Tendil and Jean-François Musa indicates that Henri Paul considered his work finished for the day when he left the Ritz Hotel at around 7pm on Saturday 30 August 1997. He did not expect the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed to return to the hotel. He believed they would be dining later at Chez Benoît restaurant in the centre of Paris as planned. Neither he nor the couple had any reason to return to the Ritz Hotel that night. Page 206 CHAPTER FOUR b) Who made the decision to change the couple’s dinner venue from Chez Benoît restaurant to the Ritz Hotel and when was this done? The Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were driven from the Ritz Hotel to the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye at around 7pm by Philippe Dourneau. They then left the apartment around 9.30pm to go to Chez Benoît Restaurant situated in the Paris 11 District, the eastern part of the city centre. Claude Roulet had booked the Chez Benoît restaurant at Dodi Al Fayed’s request. En route to the restaurant the plan changed. Dodi Al Fayed told his chauffeur, Philippe Dourneau, to go to the Ritz Hotel instead. Dodi Al Fayed then spoke to Claude Roulet on his mobile telephone at around 9.40pm and told him that the change of plan was due to the actions of the paparazzi around their car. Claude Roulet was waiting outside Chez Benoît to ensure that things ran smoothly when the couple arrived. Claude ROULET Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D710-D712 In his statement to French police on 1 September 1997 Claude Roulet said: ‘The couple had been planning to have dinner at Benoit’s Restaurant, I booked the table in my name, but at the last minute they decided to eat at the Ritz. I was notified of this change of programme when I was outside Benoit’s, it must have been 2145hrs. I then called the hotel to cancel the booking at Benoit’s, to let the Ritz restaurant know, and to inform Security that they would be coming. They had just arrived when I got through to Security, and the paparazzi were in a pack after them. I went home shortly after that. I called Monsieur Paul at around 2315 hrs to find out how things were going. He seemed as he normally was, perfectly calm, and told me that he was in perfect control of the situation. As he was not in the picture at all himself, he did not say anything to me about the couple’s intentions for the rest of the evening.’ French Dossier D1008-D1010 In a further statement to French police on 2 September 1997 Claude Roulet said: ‘With regard to the evening of Saturday 30th August 1997, Henri Paul had in actual fact left his department at 19.00 hours, as planned in his schedule. It was in fact the unexpected arrival of Dodi Al Fayed and Princess Diana, following Dodi’s last minute decision to dine at the hotel and not Chez Benoît, as initially planned, that led to him returning to the hotel at 22.10 hours. Page 207 CHAPTER FOUR In fact, with the arrival of Dodi and Lady Di and the paparazzi following them, it was chaos in the entrance to the hotel and the foyer guard, Mr François Tendil had therefore called him on his mobile. Mr Paul then told him that he was on his way – this was on his own initiative.’ French Dossier D5144-D5150 Interviewed by Judge Hervé Stéphan in the French inquiry On 25 August 1998 Claude Roulet gave evidence before the Examining Magistrate: ‘At Dodi’s request I had already reserved a table in my name at Chez Benoit. At around 1930 hrs, having heard nothing further, I finished work with a view to returning home. I was not supposed to go back [to work], as the couple were not expected back at the Ritz and they had their own security. However, in order to avoid any problems at all, I went and waited outside Chez Benoit at around 2045 hrs. Not having had any news, I called the apartment and got through to Dodi’s maître d’, René Delorm, who told me that the couple were not ready to go out. I called back at around 2115 or 2120 hrs, and René told me that they were drinking champagne. I changed the reservation at Chez Benoit to 2130 hrs. I called back at around 2130 hrs and René told me that the couple were getting ready to leave. I asked René to call me as soon as the couple were leaving the apartment. I myself called Philippe Dourneau, who was waiting in the car, in order that he could call me when the couple got into the car. At roughly 2135 hrs I was informed by Philippe Dourneau that the couple were leaving Rue Arsène Houssaye. At roughly 2140 hrs, René and Philippe called me at the same time and Philippe put Dodi on. Dodi said that he was cancelling Benoit because there were far too many people around them and it was awful and that he would feel a lot more at ease being at the Ritz. I told him that I was going straight to the Ritz. He told me that it was not worth it but that I should get in early in the morning as there was lots to do. I called the hotel in order to have a table made ready in the restaurant, to get the reservation at Chez Benoit cancelled, and to warn security of their impending arrival. There was a problem in getting through to the security officer in the hotel lobby. When I got through to him he told me that the couple had already arrived and that it was chaos in front of the hotel. I therefore went back home. As I have said, I tried to get through to Henri Paul to tell him that it was not good enough that it took so long to get through to the security officer in the lobby. I had no intention whatsoever of asking him to come back to the Ritz. As I could not get through to Henri Paul, I resolved to speak to him the next day. I called Mr Tendil, the guard in the lobby, again at around 2325 hrs but it was Henri Paul who answered. I was very surprised and asked him what he was doing there. I subsequently found out that it was Mr Tendil who had informed him of the situation and of the presence of the paparazzi. Henri Paul decided to return to the hotel off his own bat and without being asked by Mr Tendil or myself, that anyway is what he said to me himself over the phone.’ Page 208 CHAPTER FOUR Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 136 On 8 March 2005, Claude Roulet was interviewed by Brigade Criminelle officers in France in the presence of Operation Paget: ‘Question: “Do you know who decided the organization of the evening of 30 August 1997?” Answer: “As regards the first part of the evening, it was Dodi Al Fayed. I had suggested to him two or three restaurants, one of them on an island in the Bois de Boulogne which was isolated and ideal for security, but he preferred to book at Chez Benoît in rue Saint Martin, Paris 3. It was I who made the reservation in my name, on 30 August in the morning I think, and I kept Mr Mohamed Al Fayed informed from the Ritz Hotel. Later on I went to wait for them outside Chez Benoît, I waited at least an hour because during that time they were drinking champagne in the apartment at rue Arsène Houssaye, Paris 8. Then I was notified at the same time by Dodi’s maître d’hotel, René, and his driver Philippe Dourneau that they were in the car, then the same driver called me back ten minutes later to ask me to cancel Benoît’s, and he immediately passed me to Dodi Al Fayed who told me he preferred to go to the Ritz as there were too many journalists round the car. At that moment he seemed to me very calm on the telephone. then told him that I was going to join him, but he told me it was better for me not to come there until the next morning when he would need me. On my mobile I then immediately phoned the Ritz for the concierge to cancel Benoît’s, to warn the restaurant of the couple’s arrival, then security in the person of Mr Tendil, after a new security employee had some difficulty putting me through. After that I went directly home.” ’ René DELORM Butler to Dodi Al Fayed. He was present when the couple left the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye to have dinner. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 120 ‘I have been asked if, when they left the flat I knew where the Princess and Dodi were going and what their demeanour was. When they left, they were a happy couple going to have a great evening after a great cruise. The paparazzi situation had gone. I didn’t speak to them after they left the apartment. I knew that they were going for dinner but I didn’t know where. I knew they were going to return around midnight and I had been told to have the champagne ready. I was not aware they were going to the Ritz. I think that I found out later on.’ Page 209 CHAPTER FOUR Philippe DOURNEAU Chauffeur to Dodi Al Fayed. French Dossier D1044-D1052 In his statement to French police, dated 3 September 1997, Philippe Dourneau said: ‘François (Musa) and I waited in the cars for instructions to go to the ‘Chez Benoît’ restaurant, and at around 2130 hrs we were informed that we would be leaving for the restaurant. I started making my way there, but during the journey, Mr Dodi asked me to inform Mr Roulet, who was at the restaurant, that he would rather dine at the Ritz given the pressure from the paparazzi who were following us. Mr Dodi said this to me, adding that it was ‘too much’, that it was ‘mad’, what with all these paparazzi. He was angry and annoyed. This change of direction did not pose any problems from a security or any other viewpoint. There were lots of paparazzi, and they were coming from all angles, from the front and behind. They were all over the place. Some of them were ‘recceing’, travelling in front of our vehicle to see where we were going. I think it was this that was annoying Mr Dodi, because when the paparazzi were behind us and out of sight, it was bearable. Once we got to the hotel, there was a sea of people. Mr Dodi made a gesture of annoyance when the doorman opened the door for him and people rushed up to him. It was a slightly aggressive movement. However, the Princess pacified him and I also suggested that he smile so as to avoid walking into a trap because of the situation.’ French Dossier D4907-D4911 Interviewed by Judge Hervé Stéphan in the French inquiry On 28 April 1998 Philippe Dourneau gave evidence before the Examining Magistrate: ‘We went to Arsène Houssaye. From that moment on, the paparazzi were constantly in attendance. Their presence was stressful for the couple. As I said, Dodi ended up getting cross as he was beginning to have really had enough of them. This occurred as he went into the hotel for the last time.’ Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 157 On 13 May 2005 Brigade Criminelle officers in France on behalf of Operation Paget interviewed Philippe Dourneau: ‘Question: “At what point would Dodi make his decision as to destination?” Answer: “When he got into the car, except when he had warned me in advance of a planned destination, like the evening of 30 August planned as usual at Chez Benoît.” Page 210 CHAPTER FOUR Question: “At 9.30 pm when you left the flat in the rue Arsène Houssaye, what was your destination and who took the decision?” Answer: “When we left the destination planned in advance was the Chez Benoît restaurant, situated near Les Halles, rue Saint-Martin, Paris 11, but 10 or 15 minutes after we left when we were in the middle of the rue Saint- Honoré, PARIS 8, seeing that we were being followed by a lot of paparazzi, Dodi told me to forget Chez Benoît and go straight to the Ritz.” Question: “Who was in the car from the flat to the Ritz?” Answer: “Dodi Al Fayed, the Princess of Wales, Trevor Rees Jones and myself.” Question: “Who notified the Chez Benoît restaurant and the Ritz of the change of programme?” Answer: “I do not remember. I only remember that Mr Roulet was waiting for us outside Chez Benoît, but I do not remember who notified him either. If those people were notified, it was either by me and I would then have done it using my mobile phone, or it was by the bodyguard and he would have done it on his mobile, but I think it was probably I who did it.” Question: “Do you remember any other telephone conversations made during that journey, particularly by Dodi?” Answer: “No, not at all.” Jean-François MUSA Owner of Etoile Limousine and a professional chauffeur. French Dossier D4934-4937 On 30 April 1998 Jean-François Musa appeared before Examining Magistrate Judge Devidal: ‘Then it was mooted that we would be accompanying the couple to a restaurant, where Mr Roulete, who was assistant to the President, would be waiting to meet them. As it happened, the departure was delayed and it was only at around 2100 or 2130 hrs that the couple emerged and we set off again. We actually ended up going to the Ritz, obviously there had been a change of plan on their part. At the Ritz I found to my surprise that Mr Paul had returned, because when we parted company he had said to me “call me when you get finished this evening so that I can make the arrangements for tomorrow.” ’ Page 211 CHAPTER FOUR Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 200 ‘At about 20.00 hrs or 20.30 hrs Philippe received a phone call. I think it was from Angelo, the guard at the apartment. I think I knew we were going to Le Benoit restaurant but I’m not sure now. We took the cars to the front of the apartment where the paparazzi were still pushing around. We left the apartment and when we got to Faubourg St. Honore I realised that we weren’t going to Le Benoit. As we got close to the Ritz I realised that was where we were headed. I had Kes Wingfield with me; all the others were in the S600 driven by Philippe Dourneau. I didn’t know what was going on so I was just followed the other car.’ Trevor REES-JONES Bodyguard to Dodi Al Fayed. Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 104 ‘Later that evening we had been told by the Princess, that they were going to a restaurant that evening and through Rene Delorm, we were trying to get the name of it. We never managed to get the information but I don’t know if that was because Rene didn’t know or wasn’t prepared to tell us. We didn’t know any times or any details… I cannot recall the route that we took that evening when returning from the apartment to the Ritz but I do know that we did not go via the tunnel. It may have been via the Champs Elysees, which is the obvious route. I do not know why Philippe Dourneau used the front of the hotel to drop off the couple upon their return rather than the entrance in rue Cambon. The front is the normal drop-off point. The back is a narrow one-way street but I suppose it depends on traffic and approach to the hotel as to which is the easier… On that last trip from the apartment to the Ritz I decided with Kes to travel in the backup vehicle with him. I cannot recall who was driving us but I do know it was a known driver. This was because Dodi and the Princess were getting stressed by the whole press business and I decided to let them have more space. We were right behind so there was no compromise in their security. Philippe Dourneau was driving the principals. Initially they had been heading to a restaurant though I never found out which one it was or where it was. I knew the time we were leaving the apartment but that was about it. It was only as we were travelling en route that I realised the destination had changed and we were now clearly heading for the Ritz and no longer for the restaurant. I do not know when that decision was made or why, perhaps it was a snap decision by Dodi as a result of being upset by the press attention. I cannot recall whether there was any radio or mobile phone contact between Philippe and us.’ Page 212 CHAPTER FOUR Kieran ‘Kes’ WINGFIELD Bodyguard to the Al Fayed family. French Dossier D1035-D1043 On 2 September 1997 Kieran Wingfield gave this account to police: ‘At around 2130 hrs we left the apartment for the Ritz. The paparazzi took some pictures as we left, but they were less insistent. On the way, we were followed constantly by fifteen or so paparazzi. However, Dodi did not tell us where we were going. I therefore took the customary security measures for such eventualities, informing my superiors of our itinerary.’ Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 20A ‘We went up to the apartment and whilst we were there Trevor asked Dodi ‘What do you intend?’ to try and find out what we’d be doing later on. Dodi said that they were going for a meal and when Trevor asked where, Dodi said, “You’ll find out when we get there”. We didn’t know where we were going so we couldn’t do a recce or anything.’ ‘Trevor tried to press on and find out the location of the restaurant but we weren’t told where it was.’ ‘Trevor was just going back upstairs when they came down and we left. Dodi said that we were going to the Ritz. I was never told about any other intended restaurant or destination.’ ‘It was a fast drive and nothing out of the ordinary happened. Ordinarily we would have called ahead to the Ritz to arrange for a reception. I don’t know why we didn’t on this occasion.’ [Paget Note: There was a discrepancy over who was in the Mercedes. Philippe Dourneau and Jean-François Musa stated that Trevor Rees-Jones was in the Mercedes. He stated that he travelled in the back-up Range Rover on this journey, to give the couple more privacy. Kieran Wingfield was the only witness who believed the intention was to travel to the Ritz Hotel rather than another restaurant. Most of the other witnesses knew the restaurant specifically as the Chez Benoît.] Page 213 CHAPTER FOUR Operation Paget Comment (b) Who made the decision to change the couple’s dinner venue from Chez Benoît restaurant to the Ritz Hotel and when was this done? When the couple left the apartment in rue Arsène Houssaye at around 9.30pm they were intending to dine at a Paris restaurant, Chez Benoît. Claude Roulet, the manager at the Ritz Hotel, had booked the restaurant earlier in the day on behalf of Dodi Al Fayed. While driving across Paris to Chez Benoît, Dodi Al Fayed changed the plan. Because of the attention of the paparazzi, when in rue Saint-Honoré, Philippe Dourneau was redirected to the Ritz Hotel. Dodi Al Fayed took this decision around 9.40pm. The couple arrived at the Ritz Hotel at around 9.50pm [Paget Note: The time is shown on the CCTV camera in the Place Vendôme entrance to the hotel]. As the arrival was unscheduled and unplanned, the arrangements for their entry to the hotel did not run smoothly and the paparazzi were very intrusive. Dodi Al Fayed appeared to be annoyed at the behaviour of the paparazzi and was not impressed with the response of the hotel security staff. c) How was Henri Paul recalled to the Ritz Hotel at around 10pm following the return of the couple? François TENDIL Night Duty Security Officer, Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2160-D2161 ‘At around 2150hrs, Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess returned to the hotel, followed by the photographers. I therefore telephoned Henri Paul as arranged. He again did not say where he was when he got my call. He simply told me that he was on his way. I must have made the call one or two minutes after 2200hrs and Henri Paul arrived at the Ritz between 2205 and 2210hrs.’ [Paget Note: A call was received on Henri Paul’s mobile telephone number at 10pm from the switchboard of the Ritz Hotel, Place Vendôme. (French Dossier D2204).] Interviewed by Operation Paget - Statement 135, March 2005 ‘Question: “Why did Henri Paul return to the hotel?” Answer: “Because when he left the Ritz at the end of his shift at 7.00 pm, I asked him what I was to do if Lady Diana and Dodi Al Fayed returned to the hotel. Incidentally I had to ask him that question three times. He replied that I should warn him by calling him on his mobile. So when the couple returned unexpectedly that is what I did. It was I and I alone who took the decision to call Henri Paul. He was surprised that they had returned.” ’ Page 214 CHAPTER FOUR Thierry ROCHER Night Duty Manager, Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D2134-D2136 ‘With regard to the evening of 30/08/97, I was in the hotel when Dodi Al Fayed and Princess Diana arrived at around 21.50 hours. As this arrival was not planned, it resulted in a certain disorder in the columns around the hotel’s entrance where the paparazzi were gathered. Mr Tendil, the Night Security Manager, alerted Mr Paul on his mobile telephone at around 21.50 – 21.55 hours. According to what Mr Tendil told me, Mr Paul apparently said: “I’m not far away, I’m on my way”. He did actually arrive at the hotel very quickly. He passed the turnstile at 22.07 hours (seen on the security film).’ David BEVIERRE Ritz Security Officer. French Dossier D2179-D2182 ‘I immediately went to the foyer. It was about 22.00 hours. There, my colleague, François Tendil, told me that the Princess and Dodi had arrived and were in the “L’Espadon” restaurant and I was to position myself outside in front of the hotel. So I positioned myself in front of the hotel iron grille, next to the dog-handler. I then saw that there were a lot of journalists in front of the Ritz. It was at this point that Mr Tendil told me to keep a close eye and that he was going to call Mr Paul to notify him of the situation. O.E. [on examination]: I think that François Tendil called Mr Paul because he had been told to call him in the event of a problem. In fact, in cases like this, we always notify the Head of Security or his deputy. I stayed in front of the hotel for about an hour, during which time Mr Paul arrived about a quarter of an hour after Mr Tendil’s call.’ Claude ROULET Assistant to the President of the Ritz Hotel. French Dossier D1008-D1010 ‘In fact, with the arrival of Dodi and Lady DI and the paparazzi following them, it was chaos in the entrance to the hotel and the foyer guard, Mr François Tendil had therefore called him on his mobile. Mr Paul then told him that he was on his way – this was on his own initiative.’ Page 215 CHAPTER FOUR French Dossier D2129-D2130 ‘I should also add that I tried to reach Henri Paul at what must have been around 2155 hrs on Saturday 30 August to inform him of a problem with a temp. I first of all called him on his normal phone, but there was no reply, I got the answering machine. Then I called him on his mobile and it was on voice mail. I did not leave a message.’ French Dossier D2131 Claude Roulet refined these times: ‘I want to amend my statements concerning the last calls I made to Mr Paul. When I checked the bills for my mobile I realised that I had given you the wrong times. I actually tried to contact Mr Paul without success on his mobile at 9.57 in the evening and at home (landline) at 9.58 on 30 August 1997.’ [Paget Note: Henri Paul’s mobile telephone billing showed a call received at 9.57pm being passed to voicemail – the calling number belonged to a Ritz Hotel mobile telephone. The billing data for Henri Paul’s home telephone showed no calls made or received beyond 1.32pm on Saturday 30 August 1997. It did not record Claude Roulet’s unanswered call at 9.58pm. (French Dossier D2204) Interviewed by Judge Hervé Stéphan in the French inquiry - D5144-D5150 ‘As I have said, I tried to get through to Henri Paul to tell him that it was not good enough that it took so long to get through to the security officer in the lobby. I had no intention whatsoever of asking him to come back to the Ritz. As I could not get through to Henri Paul, I resolved to speak to him the next day. I called Mr Tendil, the guard in the lobby, again at around 2325 hrs but it was Henri Paul who answered. I was very surprised and asked him what he was doing there. I subsequently found out that it was Mr Tendil who had informed him of the situation and of the presence of the paparazzi. Henri Paul decided to return to the hotel off his own bat and without being asked by Mr Tendil or myself, that anyway is what he said to me himself over the phone.’ Page 216 CHAPTER FOUR Operation Paget Comment (c) How was Henri Paul recalled to the Ritz Hotel around 10pm following the return of the couple? François Tendil, the Ritz Hotel night duty security officer, called Henri Paul back to work because of the unexpected return of Dodi Al Fayed and the Princess of Wales. He took sole responsibility for this. He stated that Henri Paul was ‘surprised’ that the couple had returned. This call was made at 10pm, shortly after the return of the couple. There was no evidence that Henri Paul had any idea before this time that the couple would be returning to the hotel. All of the evidence showed that he believed he had finished work for the day around 7pm. He arrived at the Ritz Hotel in his own car about five to ten minutes after taking the call from François Tendil. [Paget Note: Henri Paul was seen on the Ritz Hotel CCTV cameras returning to the hotel.] There was no evidence that anyone at the Ritz Hotel expected the couple to return to the hotel that night. 10. The plan for Henri Paul to drive a third car from the rear of the Ritz Hotel This plan, put into place on the night of Saturday 30 August 1997, had three key aspects: 1. The use of a third car (i.e. the second Mercedes, an S280, registration number 688LTV75) from the rear o