The Truth About Martin Bashir's Controversial Interview With Diana Spencer

Even at the time of its production, the BBC reportedly knew that the interview was dangerous. As noted by the BBC News, interviewer Martin Bashir, producer Mike Robinson, and cameraman Tony Poole had to go to Kensington Palace — where the interview was filmed — in secret to avoid any leaks about it to the press. The interview was kept so secret, in fact, that Jim Moir, the royal liaison for the BBC, and Marmaduke Hussey, the BBC chairman, were not even aware of the interview until later. Reportedly, Hussey's wife was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, and knowledge about the interview would've put her and her husband in a difficult position.

The completed interview was edited by Steve Hewlitt, while the footage was overseen by Richard Ayre, the controller of editorial policy, and Tim Gardam, the head of weekly television current affairs programs. According to BBC News, the three "assembled a secret hideaway" in a room at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne to review the footage without being caught. Security guards were placed on-site while editing was in progress, and the footage itself was guarded by 24-hour surveillance.