Princess Diana’s former lover lashes out at Martin Bashir with furious six-word rebuke

James Hewitt – who was the late ‘s former lover – has lashed out at disgraced Panorama journalist Martin Bashir.

Martin Bashir interviewed the late royal back in 1995, just two years before her tragic death aged 36.

As well as discussing her former husband, the then-Prince Charles and the now-Queen Camilla, Diana spoke about her own extramarital relationship with James Hewitt.

According to James, when Diana spoke of him, Martin made him appear like “the most hated person in the world.”

Speaking to , James referred to Bashir as a “toad” for tricking Diana into confirming their extramarital affair.

Following the interview, the journalist was later met with inquiry which concluded that he had used “deceitful means” to secure the interview and gain Diana’s trust.

James also told the paper: “I think the chap needs to seriously search his conscience. To do it by deception is unforgivable and there is very little road back from that.

“I don’t know him personally, but I think any underhandedness—and particularly if it’s taking advantage of someone’s weakness and being a toad—is wrong. It did affect me and it had a huge effect.”

He added: “I hope people realize that the whole of the program should be seen for what it was—and that was to deceive somebody into saying things and doing things that they may not necessarily have been willing to say had all the facts been known.

“It was not good for anybody except figures and Martin Bashir’s career. It wasn’t exposing anything, it was just using lies and half-truths.”

James said he regretted not having had a “more normal existence” when it came to a family life. He said: “I would have liked to have had children but there we are, you can’t have everything in life.”

Speaking about why he has made the decision to remain single, he said: “I think it’s pretty obvious given my history, and the difficulties thereafter, and having been the most hated person in the world.”