Princess Diana`s butler will face Scotland Yard perjury probe

Paul Burrell will face a police inquiry over whether or not he committed perjury at the Diana inquest, it emerged last night.

Mr Burrell, 49, was secretly recorded in a New York hotel admitting he had not told the “whole truth” to the inquest into the deaths of Diana and her lover Dodi Fayed.

“I was very naughty, and I laid a couple of red herrings,” he said.

The coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker subsequently demanded that he return to explain the discrepancy but Mr Burrell refused, sending a statement in which he claimed he had simply been drunk and showing off.

Following a formal complaint from an anonymous member of the public, Scotland Yard said it was “duty bound” to investigate.

Today, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: “There is a complaint that has been received. “In view of the complaint received, the Metropolitan Police Service has a duty to look at whether Paul Burrell should be considered for perjury.

“In considering this matter, we will of course take note of the coroner`s decision not to refer this matter to us.”

He was not able to say who had made the complaint.

The Sun newspaper today reported that Scotland Yard had formally requested a copy of the tape of Mr Burrell talking about his evidence which had been immediately dispatched.

It said the complaint had been made during the inquest by a member of the public who wished to remain anonymous.

The police spokesman was unable to confirm if a copy of the tape had been requested by officers.

During the Diana inquest the coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker, branded him a liar but said he had no plans to refer the case to the police.

Now, however, Burrell could face being extradited from his Florida home and up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted.