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Bodyguard: Diana Needed More Security

He blames al-Fayed family for small team and a lack of trust

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 29, 2008 5:30 PM CST
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(Newser) – One of the bodyguards protecting Princess Diana and Dodi al-Fayed says a lack of manpower and trust hamstrung the security team in the days preceding the fatal crash, Reuters reports. Kieran Wingfield testified at the Diana inquest that Dodi’s father repeatedly rejected his requests for more guards and that Dodi himself refused to divulge details of the couple's plans.

"You need to have the trust of your principal," Wingfield said. "If you don't get it, your job becomes very, very difficult." He added that he quit working for the al-Fayeds after being asked to appear in a TV program supporting their view that the royal family orchestrated Diana's death. "I had no doubt in my mind that it was a tragic accident so I refused to take part," he said.

This image made available Tuesday Oct. 2, 2007, shows Diana, back seat, with bodyguard Trevor Rees left, and driver Henri Paul shortly before the fatal car crash. (AP Photo/H.M. Coroner, HO)
This image made available Tuesday Oct. 2, 2007, shows Diana, back seat, with bodyguard Trevor Rees left, and driver Henri Paul shortly before the fatal car crash. (AP Photo/H.M. Coroner, HO)   (Associated Press)
Diana, Princess of Wales, smiles at the United Cerebral Palsy's annual dinner at the New York Hilton in this Dec. 11, 1995 file photo. (AP Photo/ Mark Lennihan, file)
Diana, Princess of Wales, smiles at the United Cerebral Palsy's annual dinner at the New York Hilton in this Dec. 11, 1995 file photo. (AP Photo/ Mark Lennihan, file)   (Associated Press)
Diana, Princess of Wales, smiles at the United Cerebral Palsy's annual dinner at the New York Hilton in this Dec. 11, 1995, file photo. (AP Photo/ Mark Lennihan, file)
Diana, Princess of Wales, smiles at the United Cerebral Palsy's annual dinner at the New York Hilton in this Dec. 11, 1995, file photo. (AP Photo/ Mark Lennihan, file)   (Associated Press)
Trevor Rees, former bodyguard for Dodi al-Fayed, arrives at the Royal Court of Justice in London to continue giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana and al-Fayed, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Trevor Rees, former bodyguard for Dodi al-Fayed, arrives at the Royal Court of Justice in London to continue giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana and al-Fayed, Thursday, Jan....   (Associated Press)
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell, right, is silhouetted walking with an unidentified woman as he arrives to give evidence at the coroner's inquest into the death of Diana and Dodi al-Fayed. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell, right, is silhouetted walking with an unidentified woman as he arrives to give evidence at the coroner's inquest into the death of Diana and Dodi al-Fayed....   (Associated Press)
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Fatal exit plan was approved by Dodi's father
Guardian (UK)

Bodyguard: If we'd been allowed to do our jobs, she'd still be alive
Telegraph (UK)

 
Prince Philip • Queen Elizabeth • Princess Diana • Diana inquest • British royals • Mohamed al Fayed • Dodi al Fayed

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