BBC finds crucial handwritten note from Diana ahead of Panorama probe

Diana, Princess of Wales attends an engagement in the Angolan capital of Luanda in 1997 Picture: PA

A handwritten note from Diana, Princess of Wales that appears to absolve journalist Martin Bashir of using false documents to influence her Panorama appearance has been discovered by the BBC.

The corporation had said a copy of the princess’s note was no longer in its possession and could not be produced for a 2007 Freedom of Information request – although its existence was documented in BBC records.