The BBC has been branded "unfit for purpose" after the broadcaster released over 3,000 emails in relation to their controversial Panorama interview with the late Princess Diana.
In 1995 the former Princess of Wales sat down with now disgraced journalist Martin Bashir, in a tell-all interview about her life within the Royal Family.
In 2021, an inquiry into the interview found that Bashir had secured the chat with Princess Diana through deception and fake documents.
Following a freedom of information request, the BBC has now released over 3,000 emails in connection with the interview and Martin Bashir.
Richard Tice says the BBC is 'unfit for purpose'
BBC / PA / GB News
Bashir claimed that professional jealousy, his class and race were behind the accusations of forgery.
In an email dated July 20,2 020, Bashir told BBC's head of history Robert Seatter that forged documents played "no role" in securing the interview, and it would have been less controversial of a "dynastic" journalist such as one of the Dimblebys had been involved.
Bashir wrote: "I am sorry to hear that this so-called 'forgery' story has reared its head again. It played no part in the interview but did allow professional jealousy, particularly within the corporation, to hang its hat on alleged wrongdoing.
"At the time, it was also apparent that there was some irritation that a second-generation immigrant of non-white, working class roots should have the temerity to enter a Royal Palace and conduct an interview.
"It would have been so much easier if one of the dynastic families (Dimbleby et al) had done it!"
Martin Bashir claimed 'professional jealousy' was the root of accusations about his controversial interview with Princess Diana
PA
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Speaking to GB News, leader of Reform UK Richard Tice slammed the BBC following the release of the emails, and said the revelations were "extraordinary".
Tice fumed: "The two Princes' trust in, not just the BBC, but the whole media collapsed, and it may well be tragically what's led to Prince Harry ending up taking the course that he's taken.
"So the consequences, the domino effect, the course of history has been changed by this one single interview."
Host Andrew Pierce agreed, responding: "The red tops behaved pretty badly with the royals back in back in the day, we know that. But who was leading the charge against the red tops, the pompous, pious BBC.
"And they are probably guilty of one of the worst cover ups in journalism."
Andrew Pierce says it is one of the 'worst cover ups in journalism'
GB News
Tice again agreed with Andrew, added: "I think it's amazing actually that they haven't suffered more consequences, that there haven't been calls, frankly the whole organisation is sort of almost unfit for purpose.
"If that was any other media organisation, there would be calls for it to be broken up or closed down. It's one of the most shocking scandals, truly awful."
Andrew then continued: "The whole interview was predicated on lies and the BBC covered up and covered up and covered up. He's saying a quarter of a million, that's public money."
In a statement, the BBC said: "Throughout this process we have taken our responsibilities to comply with the directions of the Tribunal extremely seriously.
"Therefore we've today released approximately 3,000 documents - some 10,000 pages - to Mr Webb. This latest disclosure includes many hundreds of pages of duplicates and material that was not related to the 1995 Panorama, but was nevertheless caught by the electronic searches.
"We have made redactions, where necessary, consistent with the Freedom of Information Act."
