Michael Jackson’s nephew has called for an “investigation” into Martin Bashir’s documentary with his uncle, suggesting that the journalist used a letter written by Princess Diana to hook him in.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Taj said that he wanted to “hear some accountability” and accused Bashir of “destroying [his] uncle’s life”.
It comes after a report into Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana, published last week, concluded that Bashir acted inappropriately and in serious breach of BBC guidelines.
Former director-general Lord Tony Hall has said he accepts the 1996 BBC inquiry into how Panorama secured its interview with Diana, Princess of Wales “fell well short of what was required” and he was “wrong to give Martin Bashir the benefit of the doubt”.
After the report was published, the BBC is believed to have written to the royal family to apologise, according to PA news agency.
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Following the report, Michael Jackson’s family have threatened to sue Bashir for “hoodwinking” the star.
Taj accused Bashir of shamefully using “manipulated” footage and “unethical” journalism in the infamous Neverland documentary.
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Speaking to hosts Susanna Reid and Bill Turnbull today, Taj said: “I just want to hear accountability, I want there to be an investigation. I think the family wants an investigation.”
Taj also claimed that the singer was shown a letter from Princess Diana “commending” the interview Bashir had done with her in 1995.
“He trusted Diana,” he said. “It was like a welcoming.
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“The trust came from Princess Di in that my uncle, it was a very similar situation with misperception which is why I think he went with Bashir.”
Questioned on who he wanted an apology from, Taj said: “I want an investigation, I think that would be the first thing – his editing… who put him up to this idea.”
He added: “[Bashir] really stabbed him in the back.”
Bashir said in a statement following the publication of Lord Dyson’s report: “This is the second time that I have willingly fully co-operated with an investigation into events more than 25 years ago. I apologised then, and I do so again now, over the fact that I asked for bank statements to be mocked up.
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“It was a stupid thing to do and was an action I deeply regret. But I absolutely stand-by the evidence I gave a quarter of a century ago, and again more recently.I also reiterate that the bank statements had no bearing whatsoever on the personal choice by Princess Diana to take part in the interview.
“Evidence handed to the inquiry in her own handwriting (and published alongside the Report) unequivocally confirms this, and other compelling evidence presented to Lord Dyson reinforces it. In fact, despite his other findings, Lord Dyson himself in any event accepts that the Princess would probably have agreed to be interviewed without what he describes as my ‘intervention’.
“It is saddening that this single issue has been allowed to overshadow the Princess’ brave decision to tell her story, to courageously talk through the difficulties she faced, and, to help address the silence and stigma that surrounded mental health issues all those years ago.
“She led the way in addressing so many of these issues and that’s why I will always remain immensely proud of that interview.”
*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/michael-jacksons-nephew-claims-bashir-24170751