Paparazzo refuses to appear at Diana’s inquest

PHOTOGRAPHER Romuald Rat yesterday refused to appear before the inquest of Diana, Princess of Wales, branding claims made against him there “a lie”.

Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker told the jury on Monday that Mr Rat had received a summons from French officials to give evidence by video link from Paris but had given no indication he would agree.

As the court assembled yesterday morning, the coroner confirmed Mr Rat had since been in contact to say he was not prepared to give evidence “either today or any day”.