New Diana coroner warns of costs

New Diana coroner warns of costs
LONDON - Lord Justice Scott Baker, who is the new coroner in charge of the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed, has said that there was a need to reign in the costs connected with the whole affair. Justice Baker is the fourth person to head the inquest and replaces Baroness Butler-Sloss who resigned earlier this year.

In his first hearing baker said there was a need to maintain tight discipline so as to keep the costs paid by taxpayers under control. An earlier inquiry by Lord Stevens had concluded that the death of the Princess was a tragic accident.

"The costs are going to be considerable, bearing in mind the events took place in France and many of the witnesses are French and live abroad," Justice Baker said. "The longer the inquests last, the greater those costs will be. It is the duty of all of us to keep them within reasonable bounds."

The inquests are slated to begin October 2 and should not last more than six months, according to Ian Burnett QC, counsel to the inquest. Baker also said that he was determined to see that the matters were handled quickly.

At the last inquests, Mohamed al Fayed's lawyers tried to get the Queen involved, but those efforts were thwarted.