Diana coroner won't involve Royals

Lord Justice Scott Baker was asked to urge Prince Philip to "answer inquiries" and the Queen to agree to be "a potential witness".

But he said inquiries to the monarch and her husband would be neither "appropriate nor necessary" at the moment - although he would keep the position under review.

The requests were made at a preliminary hearing at the High Court in London by Michael Mansfield QC, representing Mohamed al Fayed, whose son Dodi was killed alongside the Princess.

The inquest, which was opened and adjourned in 2004, has yet to start in full nearly 10 years after the car crash in Paris.

Mr al Fayed claims Diana was pregnant with Dodi's child and they were murdered in an establishment and secret service plot masterminded by the Duke.

Mr Mansfield on Monday told Lord Justice Scott Baker, who has replaced Baroness Butler-Sloss as coroner, that it was now understood from material provided to Mr al Fayed's legal team that the Duke had indicated in a telephone message his "unwillingness" to speak to the Paget inquiry into the deaths.

He said to the coroner: "You may be able to approach him on behalf of the inquest and inquiry into truth."

But Lord Justice Scott Baker later ruled the possibility out at this stage.

"It doesn't seem to me that any further inquiries at this stage would be appropriate or necessary. Obviously, I will keep the position under review as we proceed to the hearing."