Burrell proof probe

Andrew Shaw, the partner with Chester-based firm Walker Smith & Way who acted for the recently acquitted royal butler Paul Burrell, this week told the Gazette that he is considering launching an action in relation to an alleged stolen proof of evidence.

Mr Shaw said he believed that extracts from the proof had been used in articles that appeared in the Sun, the Daily Mail, the Express and the News of the World.

Mr Shaw said he was absolutely sure that the documents could not have been leaked from an internal source as they were kept within a bolted safe and encrypted computer disc, neither of which had been infiltrated.

Mr Shaw also lamented the difficulties of working as a solicitor under a tidal wave of media interest.

He said: 'On Friday [2 November], I had 75 missed calls on my mobile phone.'

He said that in addition to a string of interviews with the media the weekend before last, the Chester law firm received doorstep visits from US and Australian television reporters from mainstream channels, and interview requests from US shows such as 'Larry King' and 'Barbara Walters'.

Meanwhile, since the collapse of the trial, Mr Burrell has retained London media firm David Price & Co.

A statement from the firm said: 'During his recent trial at the Old Bailey, no evidence was adduced to suggest that he had ever tried to profit personally from Princess Diana's life and he was acquitted on all charges.

He is considering legal action against any publication that suggests otherwise.'

Jeremy Fleming