This CBS documentary that showed Diana dying

[Vanhalen 0]

Basically everyones a bit pissed off over here, cos CBS showed a documentary with pictures of Princess Diana lying there with blood all over, and dying, did anyone watch it, and if so, what was it like?

 

The brother of Diana, Princess of Wales says he was "shocked and sickened" by the broadcast of photographs of his dying sister on American television.

The pictures, taken moments after the Paris car crash in which she died, were shown by US network CBS in a programme looking at the accident.

Lord Spencer expressed his revulsion in a statement on behalf of the family.

Former-palace spokesman Dicky Arbiter said it was "particularly bad taste" for CBS to run the pictures.

'Insensitivity'

And Prime Minister Tony Blair deplored the action, saying it had caused "distress to her family".

Mr Arbiter told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "It will be painful, painful for William and Harry.

"They're going to have to live with this sort of thing for the rest of their lives."

He added that he was surprised at an American television network running "this sort of picture".

Clarence House, the residence of the Prince of Wales and his sons, has declined to comment on the broadcast.

Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the 1997 crash, accused CBS of "insensitivity".

Defending its decision to show the images CBS said: "These photocopies are placed in journalistic context - an examination of the medical treatment given to Princess Diana just after the crash - and are in no way graphic or exploitative"

HAVE YOUR SAY

It shows contempt for the feelings of the relatives

Terry Emerson, London

CBS said the images, which had not been broadcast before, were part of a 4,000-page French government report the broadcast recently obtained.

'Instantly recognisable'

The US broadcaster said it had also obtained confidential documents relating to the crash.

These reportedly include forensic analysis of the scene and vehicle, and post-mortem examination of the driver, Henri Paul.

One of the pictures taken by paparazzi photographers at the scene - included in the official crash report - showed her head in the car.

BBC Royal correspondent Peter Hunt said CBS showed the black and white images for just 15 seconds during the one-hour documentary.

But, he said, Diana was "instantly recognisable" from a picture of the side of her head.

The crash which killed Diana and Dodi was deemed an accident

British newspapers had previously decided not to publish the photographs, he added, on the grounds of taste and decency.

The programme also examined rumours that the Princess was pregnant when she died - a suggestion strongly denied by former royal coroner Dr John Burton, who was present at her post-mortem examination.

Diana's former protection officer Ken Wharfe and Patrick Jephson, her chief of staff, were interviewed on the show.

Mr Al Fayed accused CBS of cashing in on their deaths.

He has never accepted the finding of the official report by the French that the crash was an accident.

He said: "This was a crime - the murder of two innocent people.

"CBS obviously doesn't care about the appalling effect of showing images of murder victims. They simply want to cash in on the tragedy.

"It is disgraceful and insensitive of them to do this. It is devastating for me and for Prince William and Prince Harry."

Mr Al Fayed has staged a lengthy legal battle against paparazzi photographers who were following Diana and Dodi for invasion of privacy.

Diana's personal bodyguard, Trevor Rees Jones, was the sole survivor after their speeding Mercedes crashed in an underpass on the short trip from the Ritz Hotel to Mr Al Fayed's Paris apartment.

The French inquiry in 1999 blamed Mr Paul, concluding he had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs and had been driving too fast.

[Skywarp! 0]

I know it's missing the point, but are there links to the pics in question?