Work and hype for solicitor-coroner as Diana inquest looms

The solicitor-coroner who will conduct the official inquest into the death in Paris of Diana, Princess of Wales this week told the Gazette that preparations for the hearing are well under way.

In a rare public statement, the Coroner to the Queen's Household, Michael Burgess - who works from a room within his old firm although he is a full-time coroner - was formerly with Weybridge-based McNamara Ryan.

He said the inquest was 'still a long way off', and that he was busy collating evidence and arranging times for witnesses, but he did not deny reports that the inquest could take place next year.

Mr Burgess is anticipating a media frenzy.

He said: 'There have never been any inquests with an equivalent high profile.'

An inquest should be held with a jury and witnesses if various statutory conditions are fulfilled.

David Halpern, a partner at Hereford's Lambe Corner & Co and the local coroner, said: 'Diana's death might fulfil the condition of being one in which it is in the public interest for a jury to be used.' Mr Burgess would not disclose whether he would opt for a jury.

Jeremy Fleming