WALLER SETTLES DEFAMATION DAMAGES CLAIM AGAINST THE BBC
Mr Alan Waller, represented by Saunders Law, brought an action against the BBC for defamation, arising from the fabrication of his bank statements by the BBC’s former journalist, Martin Bashir.
Mr Waller, the former Head of Security of the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, was a party specifically identified in the 2021 Dyson Report as having been directly and negatively affected by the actions of Mr Bashir.
The Dyson Report was an investigation into what steps the BBC and in particular Martin Bashir took with a view to obtaining the Panorama interview on 20 November 1995 with Diana, Princess of Wales. It involved a consideration of all relevant evidence including (i) mocked up bank statements purporting to show payments to a former employee of Earl Spencer (referring to Mr Waller) (ii) the purported payments to members of the Royal Households; and (iii) the other matters raised by Earl Spencer.
In settlement of Mr Waller’s claim, the BBC has now accepted that Martin Bashir’s publication of the forged bank statements to Earl Spencer was defamatory of Mr Waller. The settlement reached between the parties, which involves a payment of damages and costs to Mr Waller, now brings an end to the matter.
For further information, please see the public announcement on the BBC Media Centre here.
Partner, James Saunders led the expert litigation team at Saunders Law with Partner, Matthew Purcell and senior solicitors Loretta Weber-Pang and Will Charlesworth.
James Saunders said: “Mr Waller is reassured to finally receive vindication and the Director-General’s, Tim Davie, full and unreserved apology in light of the events of 1995 and 1996 following the interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, and the process Lord Dyson has undertaken in recent months."
Loretta Weber-Pang adds: “Mr Waller feels elated to have finally cleared his name. He was a candid and honest member of staff within the Royal household, contrary to what the forged bank statements appeared to portray. Mr Waller is relieved to finally draw a line under this distressing chapter.”
Saunders Law is a boutique litigation law firm, in the heart of legal London. Specialising in high-profile and newsworthy media and privacy litigation, the firm’s expert team delivers results for clients time and again.