Police to probe Burrell 'perjury'

Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell is to be investigated over possible perjury at the inquest into her death, police have said.

Scotland Yard said it had a duty to investigate following a complaint.

In a video obtained by the Sun, Mr Burrell appeared to claim he introduced "red herrings" and held back facts during testimony at the inquest.

Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker said it was "blindingly obvious" Mr Burrell lied, but he denies perjury.

At the end of the inquest, the coroner said of Mr Burrell that "it was blindingly obvious that the evidence that he gave in this court was not the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth".

"The Metropolitan Police Service has a duty to look at whether Paul Burrell should be considered for perjury"
Scotland Yard spokesman

Al Fayed abandons campaign

But Lord Justice Scott Baker decided against referring the matter to the police.

Scotland Yard will now investigate after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.

"In view of the complaint received, the Metropolitan Police Service has a duty to look at whether Paul Burrell should be considered for perjury," a spokesman said.

"In considering this matter, we will of course take note of the coroner's decision not to refer this matter to us."

The spokesman was not able to say who had made the complaint.

Mr Burrell, 49, had refused to return to the UK from the US to reappear at the inquest.

The inquest jury found that the princess and Dodi Al Fayed were unlawfully killed due to the "gross negligence" of driver Henri Paul and the paparazzi.