FRANCE/UK: PRINCESS DIANA CRASH INVESTIGATION (V)
TAPE_NUMBER: EF99/0982
IN_TIME: 18:54:58
LENGTH: 01:29
SOURCES: APTN
RESTRICTIONS:
FEED: VARIOUS (THE ABOVE TIME-CODE IS TIME-OF-DAY)
SCRIPT: xfa
VOICED BY: RICHARD VAUGHAN
French judges ruled on Friday, a drunk chauffeur, under the influence of prescription drugs and driving at high speed, was to blame for the car accident which killed Diana, Princess of Wales.
Diana's boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, and chauffeur Henri Paul also died when their vehicle struck a pillar in an underpass on August 31st, 1997.
Although the findings of France's most exhaustive probe yet into a car crash were unequivocal, the saga is set to drag on.
Dodi's father, Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, today vowed to take the decision to the French Court of Appeal, although the judges did not find his son to blame.
VOICE-OVER:
0.02:
The crash which shocked the world.
0.06:
Diana and Dodi died in Paris on August 31st 1997.
0.11:
Initial suspicion fell on the photographers involved in a high-speed chase of Diana.
0.17:
Now, two years later, a judge ruled that the crash was caused by the drunken driving of Henri Paul, the couple's chauffeur.
0.25:
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Since the beginning it was clear that there was a high level of alcohol in the blood of the driver, Mr Henri Paul. It was clear that Nicolas Arsov and the other photographers should benefit very quickly of a complete dismissal of the charges."
SUPER CAPTION: William Bourdon, Nicolas Arsov's lawyer
0.45:
But the grief felt by Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry will be extended.
0.51:
The tragedy is sure to remain in the headlines through the start of lengthy civil actions which follow the publication of Friday's report.
1.00:
Through his spokesman, Dodi's father - Harrods' boss Mohamed Al Fayed said he sticks to his conspiracy theory.
1.06:
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He believes firmly still that there was a conspiracy and that in some way the presence of the paparazzi and the chase were used as a cover for what happened."
SUPER CAPTION: Laurie Mayer, spokesman for Mohamed Al-Fayed
1.16:
Two years on people continue to visit the underpass in Paris where Diana and Dodi died.
The views of Dodi's father are shared by others.
The debate over the cause of the crash will continue for many years to come.
1.29:
VISION ENDS
SHOTLIST: Paris, France, 3 September 1999, London, Suffolk, UK, 2, 3 September 1999 and File
File - Paris, France 31 August 1997
0.00 - Pan from crash scene to wrecked Mercedes
0.07 - Close up car
0.12 - Photographers in police van
Paris, France, 3 September 1999
0.21 - Plaque of William Bourdon's office
0.24 - Set up Bourdon
0.25 - SOUNDBITE: (English) William Bourdon, Nicolas Arsov's lawyer
RAF Wattisham, Suffolk, UK - September 3, 1999
0.45 - Jeep arrives and Princes William and Harry get out and walk out of shot
London, UK - 3 September 1999
1.00 - Laurie Mayer walking
1.04 - Set up Mayer
1.06 - SOUNDBITE: (English) Laurie Mayer, spokesman for Mohamed Al-Fayed
Paris, France - 3 September 1999
1.16 - Wide shot of statue of flame that's become a shrine to Diana with Eiffel Tower in background
1.18 - Mid shot woman at shrine
1.23 - Graffiti reading 'It was not an accident'
1.26 - Mid shot shrine
1.29 - VISION ENDS?