TV show’s images of Diana’s death condemned by family

THE family of the Princess of Wales was “shocked and sickened” last night after images of a dying Diana were broadcast on American television.

Earl Spencer led the condemnation of the grainy pictures which showed his sister slumped in a car and being treated by a doctor after the Paris crash which claimed her life.

Prime Minister Tony Blair branded the use of the photographs on an American network "distasteful", while friends of the Princess described it as "absolutely revolting".

Princes William and Harry, who were unlikely to have seen the footage, were expected be left distraught by the decision.

It follows more than six years of spiralling conspiracy theories, programmes and revelations about the world's most photographed woman.

The Princess's death will even be the subject of a French film, focusing on a fictionalised account of the driver of the mysterious Fiat Uno believed to have clipped Diana's Mercedes moments before the crash.

Last night, US TV network CBS used black and white photocopies of photographs from a French investigation report for its 48 Hours Investigates 'Diana's Secrets' programme.

They showed the Princess being treated as she lay in the back of the car with boyfriend Dodi Fayed.

The eerie pictures, which were confiscated by police from photographers at the scene, were shown for 10 seconds and viewers saw Diana with her eyes closed.

It was the first time the images taken just moments after the 1997 crash were shown in public.

Anger was also expressed by Dodi's father, Mohamed al Fayed, who accused the television station of cashing in on the tragedy.

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

"CBS obviously don't care about the appalling effect of showing images of murder victims."

Mr al Fayed claims that Diana and his son were deliberately murdered, alleging that British intelligence agents were involved.

CBS said the photographs were photocopied, and included in the French investigation report.