A BBC boss tipped to land a powerful job running the Corporation’s news coverage sought assurances from Martin Bashir that he would not talk publicly about his infamous interview with Princess Diana – just weeks before the full extent of the rogue reporter’s deception was finally exposed.
Internal BBC emails obtained by The Mail on Sunday reveal that Jonathan Munro, head of BBC news gathering, contacted Bashir ahead of last November’s 25th anniversary of the Panorama special.
He wanted to know if the BBC’s religion editor at the time intended to cooperate with rival broadcasters to document the programme. These documentaries were meant to embarrass the BBC and show how Bashir used duplicity in securing his scoop.
Bashir eventually confirmed to Mr Munro: ‘I do not plan to say anything about the interview.’
Mr Munro’s concerns appear to have reflected a mounting nervousness among BBC bosses that the Corporation was about to be rocked by a major scandal.

Email exchange: Internal BBC emails reveal that Jonathan Munro (pictured above), head of BBC news gathering, contacted Martin Bashir ahead of last November’s 25th anniversary of the Panorama special
It was six weeks before explosive documents were released by the BBC from a 1996 internal investigation into Bashir’s access to the interview. The inquiry had been ordered after whistleblowers alerted bosses to concerns about the reporter’s methods.
Just three weeks after the BBC disclosed the documents, Diana’s brother Earl Spencer released notes which exposed how Bashir used a string of vile smears and lies to persuade her to speak to him on camera.
Mr Munro’s email exchange with Bashir, obtained using Freedom of Information laws and heavily redacted by the BBC, will prove embarrassing for the executive, who is among those vying to replace Fran Unsworth as the Corporation’s director of news and current affairs.
Mr Munro, 55, has been nicknamed ‘Macavity’ by critics for his ability to evade the blame for crises.
Emails reveal that Bashir was sickly on September 4, 2020 when Mr Munro sent Bashir a text message.
Mr Munro asked: ‘Did XXX at ITV ask you to do an interview to mark 25 years since the Diana programme? Just wondered how you’d replied if so. All the best, J.’

Six weeks later, explosive documents were released by the BBC from an internal investigation into 1996 Bashir’s interview. The inquiry had been ordered after whistleblowers alerted bosses to concerns about the reporter’s methods

Just three weeks after the BBC disclosed the documents, Diana’s brother Earl Spencer released notes which exposed how Bashir used a string of vile smears and lies to persuade her to speak to him on camera (pictured: Diana during the Panorama interview)
The BBC did not disclose Bashir’s reply but just over three hours later, Mr Munro sent another email seeking clarification from the reporter ‘that you are not taking part in any programme or coverage of the anniversary’. He added: ‘Do correct me if I’ve misread that point.’
Bashir then put Mr Munro’s mind at rest, writing: ‘I do not plan to say anything.’ A BBC insider said: ‘These emails reflect Jonathan Munro’s concern that Bashir would confirm wrongdoing in the Diana affair and thus bring into question his own judgment in reappointing him. Jonathan Munro is all Jonathan Munro. It’s all self-defence and self-interest.’
Bashir was interviewed by Mr Munro when he joined the BBC in September 2016 as the BBC’s religious affairs correspondent. He discovered Bashir had faked documents to land his Panorama interview but because Princess Diana had provided a letter to say she had not been misled, he considered the allegations ‘spent’.
Last night, the BBC said: ‘Since all BBC journalists are required to seek permission for external media interviews, there is nothing unusual about a manager asking a journalist whether he has accepted an external media interview request.’