Martin Bashir: Journalist quits BBC “to focus on his health” | UK News

BBC journalist Martin Bashir has to leave the broadcaster due to ongoing health concerns.

The editor-in-chief of the company’s religion was most notable for his interview with princess diana in 1995 – and his decision to leave the company came in the middle allegations, he faked documents to secure the interview for Panorama.

Jonathan Munro, deputy director of BBC News, said: “Martin Bashir has resigned as editor of the BBC’s religion and is leaving the company.

“He told us about his decision last month, just before being readmitted to hospital for another surgery on his heart.

“Although he underwent major surgery towards the end of last year, he faces lingering issues and has decided to focus on his health.

“We wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Last year, BBC News said Mr Bashir was “gravely ill with complications from COVID-19”.

He started working as a journalist in 1986, before his interview with Princess Diana in 1995.

The BBC has appointed retired judge Lord Dyson to investigate how the BBC and Mr Bashir managed to sit down.

The Princess of Wales’ brother Earl Spencer claims the BBC reporter showed him false financial documents and told him false stories about the royal family to gain access to his sister.

In a previous internal BBC investigation, Mr Bashir admitted to ordering the fake bank documents and that they were shown to Earl Spencer.

Lord Tony Hall led the investigation and later became CEO of the BBC.

This investigation reportedly revealed that Mr. Bashir had “behaved badly”, but it is not known what sanction, if any, he encountered.

In March, Scotland Yard said it would not launch a criminal investigation into the interview after one of Earl Spencer’s former employees lodged a complaint.

…