Diana inquest gets new coroner

Lord Justice Scott Baker has formally taken over the inquest into the death of Princess Diana.

London, June 12 : Lord Justice Scott Baker has formally taken over the inquest into the death of Princess Diana.

Lord Justice Scott Baker, one of Britain's most senior judges, has now become the third coroner to have charge of the inquest, which has yet to start, even though the Princess and her companion Dodi Al Fayed died nearly a decade ago in Paris.

He will oversee his first preliminary hearing in the case at the High Court on Wednesday, June 13, reports the Sun.

Lord Justice Scott Baker took over the inquest after the last coroner; Baroness Butler-Sloss quit, stating that she had made the decision after realising her lack of 'experience of jury cases'.

Lady Butler-Sloss, on her part, picked up the reins when then Royal coroner Michael Burgess, quit in 2006 blaming a 'heavy and constant' workload.

Ever since taking over, she faced constant challenges by Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, who insists the princess and his son were murdered in an establishment conspiracy masterminded by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

In March, Lady Butler-Sloss, who had passed the judgement that a jury would not be allowed to determine whether or not Diana and Dodi were murdered, saw her decision being overturned by three High Court judges.

Lady Butler-Sloss however, continued to preside over the pre-inquest hearing to ensure that the inquests' momentum was maintained till Lord Justice Scott Baker had 'the opportunity to familiarise himself with the voluminous paperwork'.

ANI