The UK government on Friday warned BBC of consequences after the British royal family criticised the news corporation for deceptive usage to secure a 1995 interview with Princess Diana. Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary,  said that an independent inquiry on the episode showed “damning failings at the heart of the BBC”, reported AFP.

Dowden said that officials would now consider whether further governance reforms at the BBC were needed, as talks approach for renewal of the royal charter covering its running and regulations, reported AFP.

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In the interview with journalist Martin Bashir, Princess Diana opened up about her deteriorating marriage with Prince Charles. The interview was a global scoop.  But a former judge on Thursday told that Bashir faked documents to falsely claim that the princess was being watched on by her closest aides, which persuaded her to take part, reported AFP.

Diana and Charles’s eldest son, Prince William, on Thursday, lambasted BBC, accusing the corporation of failing his mother and the public, and further worsening his parents’ relationship. The pair’s younger son, Prince Harry, also plunged in with strong words, saying, “The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life”, reported AFP.

Also read | In new docuseries, Prince Harry again insists his family lacks empathy

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a former journalist who once worked for The Times, said, “I hope very much the BBC will be taking every possible step to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again”, reported AFP. 

While this episode with BBC has emerged,  the corporation’s annual license fee funding model has also been under immense scrutiny, reported AFP.