Diana inquest: Jack Straw could intervene in paparazzi row

The Justice Secretary is considering whether to intervene after the French government made a "political" decision not to make them testify.

The photographers involved in the tragedy ten years ago have almost all refused to attend the hearing at the High Court to give evidence.

Yesterday the coroner vowed to leave "no stone unturned" to bring them to court as lawyers accused French ministers of breaching their own regulations in blocking their testimony.

The French could compel the paparazzi to give evidence.

But Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker asked the Ministry of Justice for help after French officials used a clause in their Civil Code applying to foreign requests that "put at stake secrets which if released would damage the essential interests of the country".

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice will give proper consideration to any approach by the coroner for assistance."

The escalating diplomatic row comes as the High Court in London heard fresh evidence of the paparazzi's "sickening" behaviour on the night of the crash which killed Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed.

The jury were told that a distressed Diana and her lover Dodi Fayed shielded their faces in a desperate attempt to hide from the cameras as paparazzi swarmed around their Mercedes on the approach to the Alma Tunnel.

French motorist Jean-Louis Bonnin told how he saw photographers ambush the couple as their chauffeur-driven car pulled up at traffic lights at the Place de la Concorde minutes before the crash.

His evidence directly contradicts that of paparazzi driver Stephane Darmon who claimed that none of the photographers were taking pictures as the Mercedes approached the tunnel.

In a statement to police at the time, Mr Bonnin, who has since died, said he was on his way home from a restaurant on the balmy summer evening when he drew alongside their Mercedes which was flanked by a scooter.

As the pillion passenger of the scooter began taking photographs of the rear window of the vehicle, Mr Bonnin saw Diana and Dodi attempting to shy away from the glare.

"In the back of the car on the left I saw Dodi al Fayed, I had seen photos of him in the press that summer, especially on a yacht," he said.

"He was trying desperately to hide himself, holding on to the safety handle and his right hand was in front of his face.

"I also saw Princess Diana, she was in the back on the right. I recognised her straight away. She was trying to hide too, trying to sink into her seat.

"I also noticed the bodyguard, a young man who seemed nervous and ill at ease."

Whilst her bodyguard, Trevor Rees Jones appeared "annoyed", turning his head to avoid the paparazzi, the driver, Henri-Paul seemed relaxed, Mr Bonnin said.

None of the occupants of the car were wearing a seat belt, the court heard.

As the traffic lights changed, the Mercedes' tyres screeched as it attempted to shake off the paparazzi.

But Mr Bonnin said it was deliberately blocked by a dark-coloured car in front.

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He said: "I heard the Mercedes' engine and I heard its tyres screech and I saw it pull out to the left to overtake the little dark-coloured car that was in front of it.

"It overtook on the right going very very fast, I really thought there was going to be an accident, you don't drive at that speed along the embankment on a Saturday night."

Mr Bonnin was overtaken by the Mercedes, the scooter and another motorcycle carrying a paparazzo.

He was also tailgated by a white Peugeot 205 driver - identified as paparazzo Christian Martinez - who was flashing his lights and hooting his horn in his desperation to catch up with the Mercedes.

When Mr Bonnin entered the tunnel, he recognised the mangled Mercedes which was surrounded by photographers.

But he did not stop as he feared an explosion on seeing the smoke pouring from the engine.

He added: "What a surprise it was for me to see men who instead of coming to the assistance of the occupants of the Mercedes were rushing towards the accident with their cameras.

He added: "I would have stopped but I was afraid, I left sickened particularly by the fact that people were taking photographs rather than giving help.

"I thought the attitude of the photographers was disgusting."