Burrell ‘admits lying’ to Diana inquest

Paul Burrell, the former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, has admitted lying at the inquest into her death, according to a report in the Sun. The newspaper claims to have uncovered a three-hour video tape, shot in a New York hotel room, on which Burrell says: "I was very naughty and I made a couple of red herrings, and I couldn't help doing it. ... I know you shouldn't play with justice and I know it's illegal and I realise how serious it is."

Speaking to a friend in the room, Burrell also reportedly says of his appearance at the Royal Courts of Justice in London last month: "Do you honestly think I've told everything I know? Of course I haven't ... I didn't tell the whole truth."

The revelation comes on the day Mohammed Fayed, represented by Michael Mansfield QC, is due to take the witness stand at the inquest [see story below].

Paul Burrell, like Fayed, has consistently pushed for a public inquest into Diana's death. However, according to the Sun's tape-recording, he contemplated not attending the hearing and was only persuaded to do so by commercial advisors in America where he now makes a living by licensing jewellery and other 'royal' designs. He is quoted on the tape as saying: "People who do my merchandising brands in America said, 'If you didn't go, its not going to look good for you'."

If Burrell has committed perjury, he can expect a jail sentence.