By Kate Kelland
Updated: 5:14 a.m. PT May 31, 2006
LONDON - The detective leading a British
investigation into the death of Princess Diana said he has found new
witnesses and fresh forensic evidence about the fatal car crash in a
Paris road tunnel in 1997.
Sir John Stevens, a former chief of
London's Metropolitan police who is heading a crash inquiry, refused
to give details.
He was speaking during an interview at a
literary festival in southern England where he is launching a book.
His comments were reported by British media on Wednesday.
A spokeswoman at London's Scotland Yard
police headquarters confirmed fresh evidence had emerged. "As
would be expected, new witnesses have been spoken to and new
forensics have been considered as part of the continuing
investigations," she said.
Diana, her companion Dodi al Fayed and
their chauffeur Henri Paul were killed on August 31, 1997, when
their Mercedes crashed after it sped away from the Ritz hotel in the
French capital with paparazzi photographers in hot pursuit on
motorbikes.
An inquiry by French authorities in 1999
ruled that the crash was caused by Paul being drunk and driving too
fast.
Still controversial
But the circumstances of the crash still cause
controversy.
Mohamed al Fayed, Dodi's father and the
owner of the exclusive London store Harrods, has said he believes
his son and Diana were murdered by British secret services because
their relationship was embarrassing Britain's royal household.
Fayed said he was pleased new witnesses had
been found.
"I know it was murder," he said
in a statement. "And I am encouraged to hear it confirmed that
Lord Stevens has traced new witnesses and obtained new forensic
evidence.
"I am optimistic that he will not be
bullied by the intelligence services whom I believe executed my son,
Dodi, and Diana."
Diana's marriage to Britain's heir to the
throne Prince Charles broke down in 1992 and ended in divorce.
Charles married his long-time lover Camilla Parker Bowles last year.
Stevens said his team had completely
dismantled the Mercedes car involved in the crash as part of his
investigation. He also said he would deal with each and every
conspiracy theory.
"At the end of the day we have to do a
job that draws a line under this one way or another," he said.
Fayed said Stevens should not be too quick
to end the investigation. "I only hope that he is not forced to
'draw a line' under the investigation before he gets to the
truth."
Stevens' report is expected to be published
later this year.
(c) Reuters 2006. All rights reserved
