Al Fayed loses Diana crash damages claim

Mohammed al Fayed has lost a claim for damages over what he had called a flawed part of the inquiry into the death of Princess Diana.

The Harrods owner claimed the two French investigating judges erred when they didn't immediately investigate a charge of invasion of privacy against the photographers at the scene.

The crash in 1997 in Paris killed Diana, al Fayed's son Dodi and driver Henri Paul.

An investigation into the invasion of privacy claim began only this year, with another judge.

Under Judge Muriel Josie, eight photographers who were cleared in the main probe have been placed under investigation for photographing the victims in the car.

Mr al Fayed and his lawyers were not in the Paris court for the ruling.

In its ruling, the court acknowledged "some malfunctioning and lack of diligence" on the part of the original investigating judges, Herve Stephan and Marie-Christine Devidal.

But it said that according to the basic principles of justice, Mr al Fayed "has seen his rights recognised". The court also said that he cannot claim he has been the victim of a judicial violation, because ultimately the invasion of privacy claim was indeed examined.

Even if he had won his case, the main investigation into the high-speed crash would not have been reopened.

In September 1999, Judge Stephan threw out charges of manslaughter against nine photographers and a press motorcyclist, saying that drugs and alcohol taken by Henri Paul, as well as excessive speed, caused the deaths.