Doubts over Diana letters

Pressure was growing on Paul Burrell today to reveal the truth behind the letters he used as the basis of key revelations in his book.

Mr Burrell at first used letters said to be in Princess Diana's handwriting, as proof of the veracity of his book.

But now he has publicly admitted that he did not have copies of correspondence and he was allegedly working from memory. His comments cast serious doubts over many of the claims he makes in A Royal Duty.

When specifically asked about picking out parts of a letter from Diana's brother Earl Spencer that showed the earl in a bad light, he said: "I haven't picked out any letters. I have illustrated what I was shown.

"I haven't sat there with any letters. I don't have these letters. I took a mental note or a note in my journal that these things happened."

When asked by BBC Five Live presenter Julian Worricker specifically: "So, you haven't got copies of these letters? You simply have a written account of them in your journal?" Mr Burrell replied: "Yes."

He also claimed that the one "letter" he did possess - in which Diana predicted her death in a car crash - he hid because he did not know what to do with it.

Last week, when Mr Burrell's book was serialised in the Mirror, the paper's editor Piers Morgan also admitted he did not have the letters professionally tested for authenticity. But significantly it was cited as proof by many, among others Mohamed Fayed whose son Dodi died in the Paris crash, that a full Government inquiry should be launched.

In Mr Burrell's book none of the letters are reproduced and only selected extracts are used. It comes after Prince Philip, who was "appalled" that his private letters were being quoted from in the book, instructed lawyers to check copyright laws had not been breached.

But solicitors advising him ruled that Mr Burrell and his publisher, Penguin, had avoided legal difficulties by quoting short extracts from the letters. The former butler has also repeatedly insisted that he does not have the explosive tape containing allegations of a gay rape by one member of Charles's staff.

But Mr Burrell, who has repeatedly hinted he may have more explosive revelations, said: "I know what it contains. Diana and I shared the contents of that tape." The tape, in which former servant-George Smith is also understood to have told Diana about a incident involving a member of the royal family and a servant, has never been found. But senior Palace aides are understood to be working on "damage limitation strategy" if the contents of the "rape tape" are ever revealed.

Foreign news organisations are understood to be preparing to publish the allegations and name those said to be involved. That could lead to British papers following suit. Papers in Italy and Germany and magazines in America and Australia already know the names of the individuals allegedly involved.

Royal sources say the Queen and her senior courtiers are at loggerheads over the planned meeting between Prince William and Mr Burrell. William, who has accused Mr Burrell of an "overt betrayal" is said to be determined to press ahead with the meeting.

The Queen has said she "fully supports" the Prince, but her senior advisers have urged caution because they are convinced Mr Burrell will exploit any meeting. "There are those here who believe that such a meeting will make matters worse. They have made their feelings known to members of the royal family," said a senior courtier.

"Burrell has proved that he cannot be trusted. While the wishes of Prince William will be respected, they will continue to urge extreme caution."

The latest development comes as an increasingly "isolated" Camilla Parker Bowles has parted with Mark Bolland, the PR man credited with winning her public acceptability. Camilla and Charles are also understood to be dismayed that Mr Burrell's latest revelations have revived strong public sympathy for Diana and cast their own behaviour in an unfavourable light.

Another source said: "They were moving in the direction of being accepted as a couple and now all that has been put on hold." But it is understood that Camilla is trying hard to build bridges with Charles's new Private Secretary Sir Michael Peat, who has stressed he and his team will represent her interests.

She also sits in on Charles's "diary" meetings and had a hand in the appointment of his new director of communication, former Manchester United PR man Paddy Harverson.