The picture that didn't change the course of history

After a UK court trial lasting over 6 months - it has been officially, yes officially - decided that Diana died as a result of an 'unlawful killing'. The person to blame isn't a member of the Royal family, isn't a paparazzi or a member of MI6 but Henri Paul the driver of Diana's and Dodi's car on that fatal night in 1997.

I am not a conspiracy theorist but I am someone who has had questions about how Diana was killed. A lot of these questions have been answered through this extensive trial. But then a lot of questions will still persist from people who still won't be satisfied. It is a rather unsatisfactory state of affairs that so much truth has come to the surface after such a long period. Paul Burrell, Diana's self-proclaimed 'Rock' - someone who I think became almost a national hero after publishing his book - now it seems is a very untrustworthy person.

I'm sure Al-Fayed will continue to ask for a 'better' and 'more thorough' inquiry than ever before. But I think it was right that no member of the Royal family was asked to give evidence in court. There really was no substantive basis for it.

I think this inquiry will have a positive effect in bringing closure to this case. I am constantly amazed at how much newspapers, principally the Daily Express has consistently managed to produce so many Diana conspiracy headlines. All this in the pitiful anticipation that one day they will be able to proclaim that their campaign was justified. Well its not and now they should acknowledge this by suspending their campaign.

There are far more pressing needs for an inquiry elsewhere in public policy. The legality of the Iraq War tops the list. Unlike with the Diana inquiry, a failure to begin an inquiry in the near future, will be costly. The government has promised an inquiry when this would no longer impede the continued activity of British Service peronnel in Iraq. Their failure to say why this is an impediment - when it hasn't been one in the past where inquiries on the Iraq war have taken place - just, for me, goes to demonstrate that they have something to cover up. Their asses, in all likelihood.