Earl Spencer apologises to Piers Morgan over Diana book error

Earl Spencer has issued an apology to broadcaster Piers Morgan for an inaccuracy in his recently published memoir, 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister'. The book incorrectly suggested that Mr Morgan was responsible for publishing intrusive gym photographs of Princess Diana in 1993.

The nature of the error

The memoir claims that Mr Morgan was the individual responsible for the publication of photographs, taken with hidden cameras, of Diana in a leotard exercising. However, Mr Morgan stated that he was working for The Sun newspaper at the time the photographs appeared, and did not become editor of the Daily Mirror until 1995. The photographs in question were published by the Sunday Mirror on 7 November 1993.

In a statement released on behalf of Earl Spencer, it was clarified that while Spencer's account of his conversation with Morgan regarding funeral attendance was accurate, his assumption about Morgan's role in the photograph publication was mistaken. As a historian, Earl Spencer stated that accuracy is important to him and he wishes to correct this specific error. He has apologised to Mr Morgan for this assumption.

Legal action continues

Despite the apology, Mr Morgan has indicated he will continue with legal proceedings against Earl Spencer and his publisher, Penguin. He described the claims in the book as 'defamatory lies' and stated on social media that he is pursuing legal action to have them removed and to seek damages. Mr Morgan has also claimed that the book contains 'fabricated inaccuracies' and 'examples of brazen falsity'.

Speaking on his YouTube show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, he detailed his timeline, stating: 'The photographs which he says that I published were printed by the Sunday Mirror on November 7 1993. I joined the Daily Mirror in October in 1995. In fact, at the time of the gym pictures, I was doing a showbiz column on the Mirror’s arch-rival, The Sun.'

Other claims in the memoir

Earl Spencer's book, published on Tuesday, also includes other controversial claims. Among these is an assertion that King Charles said, 'we’ll forget her soon enough,' following Diana's death, and sounded 'giddily elated' in the aftermath of the fatal car crash. Mr Morgan has questioned the veracity of other content in the book, given the admitted error regarding his involvement with the gym photographs.

Mr Morgan served as editor of the Daily Mirror from 1995 to 2004. He noted that he had a relationship with Princess Diana, including having lunch with her and Prince William at Kensington Palace, and that she would sometimes call his office. He suggested that by that stage, he was likely in more frequent contact with her than Earl Spencer was.