ABC News Exclusive: Paul Burrell's Confidant Speaks Out as Royal Butler Testifies
Paul Burrell, the Princess' former butler testifies today.
LONDON, January 14, 2006 — -- The day Paul Burrell is due to take the stand ABC News posed a series of questions to Steve Dennis, a ghostwriter and friend of the Princess' former butler.
ABC News: Why is Paul Burrell's presence at the inquest significant?
Steve Dennis: The coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker, has already described Paul Burrell as being in an 'unrivalled position' in regard to the life of Diana, Princess of Wales. He was the butler and friend, and someone who understood her thoughts and behavior better than most. He knew Diana the private woman, not so much Diana the public princess. She famously described him to other friends as "the only man she could trust." With that vantage point, his unique insight should be of great assistance to the inquest. Burrell's evidence has been eagerly anticipated by the British media since this inquest began in October last year.
ABC News: Is Paul looking forward to being a witness?
Dennis: I'm sure Paul is grateful for the opportunity to appear as a witness, and has agreed willingly to the coroner's request that he appears. No witness relishes such a prospect in these difficult circumstances, but I'm sure Paul's belief is that he is doing what is rightly expected of him. The inquest has set aside a full day to hear only his evidence, so I think that's a fair measure of how significant his evidence is being regarded.
ABC News: Why is he testifying? What prompted this decision? What does he hope to achieve?
Dennis: He is testifying because the coroner asked him to give evidence, and Paul is especially flying into Britain from America where he now spends most of his time. Paul is doing what he has always said he would do: Cooperating with the authorities who are trying to determine the truth surrounding events back in 1997. He wants to help achieve what everyone else is seeking - the truth.
ABC News: What is he expected to say about the princess' relationships with Prince Charles and the rest of the royal family? Especially with regard to the 1995/6 letter in Paul's possession stating her fears that Charles was trying to kill her?
