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LONDON - Mohamed al Fayed is taking legal action in France against a former London Metropolitan Police Commissioner, it was announced in London last night.
The Harrods tycoon alleges that Lord Condon deliberately withheld evidence from the French investigation into the death of Princess Diana and his son, Dodi.
Former Assistant Commissioner Sir David Veness has also been accused. Condon told the BBC that he co-operated fully with the investigation in Paris.
"I personally, Sir David Veness and all involved in the Metropolitan Police acted honourably and ethically throughout the inquiry," he said.
"We co-operated fully with the French at all stages and, on leaving, I handed over all the documents."
He added he was "surprised" by the legal action.
Fayed has launched numerous lawsuits over the last 10 years in connection with Diana and Dodi's deaths.
"Princess Diana, who was my dear friend, confided in me her fears that she would be involved in a car crash or something similar on the orders of the royal household," he said.
"It has now emerged that her fears were expressed to at least a dozen other people."
A spokesman for the Harrods boss said: "We've actually put the complaint in. In the next couple of weeks examining magistrates will start the investigation."
Two years before she died, Diana told her lawyers she believed both she and Camilla Parker Bowles were to be "put aside" as part of a conspiracy. She revealed her fears during a meeting with her legal representative, Lord Mishcon, in October 1995. Mishcon later said he did not believe what she was saying was credible.
Three weeks after the Princess and Dodi, her boyfriend, were killed in August 1997, Condon, then the Met Police Commissioner, learned about Diana's concerns from Mishcon.
Condon had said the facts showed Diana died in a tragic set of circumstances and he would review the evidence only if her death was ever regarded as suspicious.
The delayed inquest into the Princess's death is scheduled to start in October.
- NZPA
