Diana coroner vows to 'leave no stone unturned'

The coroner in the Diana, Princess of Wales, inquest today vowed to "leave no stone unturned" in his efforts to have the paparazzi who pursued her to the scene of her death give evidence.

Lord Justice Scott Baker was speaking after contacting British Justice Secretary Jack Straw over a decision within the French government not to force the photographers to testify.

The coroner has formally requested that the crucial witnesses be compelled to attend a video link in Paris but has been informed of a high-level decision to refuse.

The inquest in London was told today that officials in France are using a rarely-evoked clause in French guidelines which apply only to foreign requests which "put at stake secrets which if released would damage the essential interests of the country".

At today's hearing the jury also heard a driver's graphic description of the scene around the Princess's car minutes before the crash which killed her.

A series of statements from Jean-Louis Bonnin, who has since died, were read to the jury in which he speaks of seeing the couple cowering in the back seat of their Mercedes as photographers repeatedly took pictures at traffic lights in the Place de La Concorde.

He also told police of his "disgust" at seeing photographers taking photos of the wrecked Mercedes in the tunnel after the crash rather than offering help.

Diana, her lover Dodi Fayed - son of Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed - and their driver Henri Paul were killed in a crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris in the early hours of August 31 1997.

The impasse over whether the paparazzi will face a cross examination from a British court emerged at a special hearing yesterday after it emerged they were refusing to do so.

Following a call from Michael Mansfield QC, representing Mohamed al Fayed, for Mr Straw to speak to his French counterpart, it was confirmed today that officials working for the coroner have been in touch with Mr Straw's department.

Mr Straw said he would consider any requests from the coroner.

Addressing the court today the coroner said: "I am most anxious that the paparazzi should give evidence if this can possibly be achieved.

"Neither I nor the rest of the inquest team intend to leave any stone unturned in this regard, I can give you no further information at the moment but I assure you that our efforts are ongoing."

The British coroner has no powers under UK law to force French witnesses to give evidence to the British court.

But a decision has been taken in Paris not to use powers under French laws to compel the paparazzi who pursued Diana to the scene of her death to give evidence by video link, the court heard.

The coroner said he understood the decision was taken within the office of the French Minister of Justice and appeared to be "political".

The court has heard that French officials are citing Article 694-4 of the French Civil Code which allows for foreign judicial requests to be blocked in certain circumstances.

Mr Mansfield handed the coroner a translation of official French guidance on applying the article.

It states: "Only certain requests which put at stake secrets which, if released, would damage the essential interests of the country - a notion which involves not only the military but also the economic, ecological or social areas seem to enter the scope of this text."

The article was read out as the jury also heard a driver's graphic description of the scene around the Princess's car minutes before the crash which killed her.

Mr Mansfield told the coroner: "The narrowness of that definition, as set out there, cannot possibly embrace refusing not only to request in some cases, but also to compel witnesses to attend this tribunal.

"We are deeply concerned that that matter is resolved."

He added: "The French Government are not entitled to withdraw their co-operation in the way that they have, very blandly, without explaining the reasons."

The case was adjourned until Tuesday.