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Former UK Intel Boss Refutes Diana Charges

He says agents didn't kill princess, calls allegations absurd

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2008 7:51 PM CST

(Newser) – In uncharacteristic public statements, the former head of British intelligence service MI6 denied during a court appearance today that agents were behind Princess Diana's 1997 death, the Telegraph reports. While Sir Richard Dearlove—known as "C" during his 1999-2004 tenure as agency boss—admitted MI6 can authorize assassinations, he said none took place in his 38 years with the agency.

Dearlove called "utterly ridiculous" allegations by Mohamed Fayed that the Duke of Edinburgh, Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Prince Charles ordered MI6 agents to kill Diana. He said the charges were "very personal." Asked whether he and MI6 secretly ran England, Dearlove said, "I'm tempted to say I'm flattered," ultimately finding the allegation "so absurd it's completely off the map."

Mohamed Al Fayed, centre, father of Dodi Al Fayed, leaves the Royal Court of Justice in London after he had given evidence in the Inquest into the death of Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed, Monday, Feb 18, 2008. Diana and her companion Dodi died in a car...
Mohamed Al Fayed, centre, father of Dodi Al Fayed, leaves the Royal Court of Justice in London after he had given evidence in the Inquest into the death of Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed,...   (Associated Press)
Lady Sarah McCorquodale arrives at London's High Court to give evidence for the inquest into the deaths of her sister Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed,  Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. Princess Diana feared her boyfriend's father was spying on her as the couple took a Mediterranean cruise, Diana's sister...
Lady Sarah McCorquodale arrives at London's High Court to give evidence for the inquest into the deaths of her sister Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. Princess Diana feared...   (Associated Press)
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell poses for photographer during a lunch break at the coroner's inquest into the death the late Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at the High Court in London, Monday Jan. 14, 2008.  Princess Diana gave no indication that she intended to marry Dodi Fayed...
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell poses for photographer during a lunch break at the coroner's inquest into the death the late Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at the High Court in London,...   (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.  Rodney Turner, a car dealer and long-standing friend of Diana's family, said Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, that Princess Diana had described her relationship with Dodi Fayed...
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. Rodney Turner, a car dealer and long-standing friend of Diana's...   (Associated Press)
Former head of MI6 Richard Dearlove, leaves the Royal Court of Justice in London after given evidence in the Inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales and her companion Dodi Al Fayed, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. Diana and her companion died in a car accident in Paris when...
Former head of MI6 Richard Dearlove, leaves the Royal Court of Justice in London after given evidence in the Inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales and her companion Dodi Al Fayed, Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
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