Earl Spencer has apologised to Piers Morgan for incorrectly claiming in his new book about Diana, Princess of Wales, that the former tabloid editor was behind the publication of intrusive photos of the late royal in the mid-1990s. Morgan had earlier threatened to sue Spencer over “fabricated inaccuracies” and “examples of brazen falsity” in the book, which was published on Tuesday. In the memoir, the earl claims Morgan was in part responsible for the publication of photographs taken by an allegedly hidden camera in a gym, of Diana working out in a leotard.
But the broadcaster told his audience on YouTube on Monday that the pictures were published in the Sunday Mirror nearly two years before he became editor at the Daily Mirror and when he was working at the Sun. Later on Tuesday, Spencer issued a statement apologising to Morgan and admitting he had incorrectly assumed Morgan had been editor of the Mirror at the time. Mr Morgan has pointed out that he did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995.
As an historian, accuracy is important to Earl Spencer. He therefore wishes to clarify that his assumption was incorrect. Earl Spencer apologises to Mr Morgan for this error.” Morgan doubled down on his threat of legal action, writing on social media: “Earl Spencer has apologised to me for his defamatory lies published in his new book, Swan Song, published today.
The book also contains allegations about Morgan, who has strongly rebuked the claims. Speaking earlier on his YouTube show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, Morgan said: “Many allies of his majesty have called into question these facts, ever since the most salacious accusations were serialised by the Daily Mail. The king himself issued a furious rebuke that is almost without precedent.
But, in essence, this has all been about opinions. Recollections may vary, after all. Spencer recounts how he personally called round the tabloid newspaper editors to uninvite them from Princess Diana’s funeral, after they had all been invited.
I remember this well, because I was one of them.” Morgan read an extract from Spencer’s book, which claims the editor “snarled with annoyance before he hung up”, as well as the passage concerning the intrusive photographs. He told his audience on YouTube that the pictures were published in the Sunday Mirror nearly two years before he became editor at the Daily Mirror. He said: “Well, this is all pretty extraordinary stuff, isn’t it?
Extract — continue reading at the source.
