02/10/2007

Dodi And Diana Inquest Opens In London

The inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi Al Fayed is underway at London's High Court.

Mohamed Al Fayed, Dodi's father, said: "I'm fighting for 10 years. At last we're going to have a jury of ordinary people and I hope [for] the decision which I believe."

He said he was hoping to find the murderers who had taken the lives of two innocent people.

Speaking earlier today, a spokesperson for Mr Al Fayed asked for members of the Royal Family to give evidence at the hearing.

A jury, made up of 11 people, and Lord Justice Scott Baker are expected to spend up to six months considering evidence surrounding the deaths.

Diana, 36, and her lover Dodi Al Fayed, 42, died in a car crash in a Paris road tunnel in August 1997.

Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, was the only survivor, but suffered serious injuries.

The inquest, which briefly opened in January 2004, will examine the embalming of Diana's body, her post-mortem, the hours before the crash, suggestions she was engaged to Fayed, the alleged purchase of a ring, claims she was pregnant and bodyguards' evidence.

Lord Justice Scott Baker pointed out that the couple's deaths have "created worldwide interest on an unprecedented scale", and they have each answered a list of questions to ensure they were not biased. In their travels to and from court, the jurors will be under police guard.

Among the more controversial parts of the inquest will be attempts by Dodi Fayed's father, Mohamed, to force the Queen and Prince Philip, to testify.

(CD)

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