ICO's Criminal Investigations Team Examines Allegations of Document Withholding by the BBC

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating allegations that the BBC failed to provide documents related to Martin Bashir's controversial 1995 interview with Princess Diana.

A judge recently criticized the BBC for not disclosing numerous emails concerning Bashir's methods in obtaining the interview, following a Freedom of Information request by journalist Andy Webb. The BBC has denied these allegations.

In 2021, Bashir left the BBC amid revelations that he used falsified documents to facilitate the Panorama interview. Webb's request aimed at viewing internal BBC communications about Bashir from a specific period in 2020, but the broadcaster released only a few emails from over 3,000, citing irrelevance or legal privilege.

Judge Brian Kennedy has instructed the BBC to provide more emails, citing the broadcaster's inconsistent responses to Webb's request. The ICO's criminal team is now evaluating the case based on the material provided.

The BBC maintains it has complied with the law and attributes the limited disclosure in 2020 to Bashir's health issues and asserts that all pertinent documents were submitted to the 2021 Lord Dyson inquiry. Webb insists that releasing the emails is crucial for public interest. The Dyson inquiry concluded that Bashir engaged in deceitful conduct and then misled BBC officials.