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downing street Refuse to disclose details of the conversation between the two parties Tony Blair and french president Jacques Chirac after death in paris Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, Newly declassified government documents have been revealed.
Post the paper to national archives In Kew Gardens, west London, No 10 is pleased to publish dozens of other projects with dianadeath and arrangements for her funeral Freedom of Information Act.
But officials ruled that releasing a memo outlining discussions between Blair and Chirac was “fundamentally not in the public interest” because it could “limit the candor” of future conversations between world leaders.
Diana died in the early hours of August 31, 1997, when the car she was traveling in with her partner was involved in an accident. Dodi Fayed He crashed with his driver in the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel during a high-speed pursuit by the photographer.
It was hours before Chirac’s aides contacted him to tell him what had happened, sparking intense speculation about his whereabouts.
His driver later claimed he had been with his mistress.
Eight years later, requests to release UK government documents were among the first to be considered under the Access to Information Act, which came into force in early 2005.
Most of the papers covered by this request are considered normal.
One official wrote: “I don’t think this is anything embarrassing for us as it shows that Number 10 continues to work under unique and unexpected circumstances and that much of the information has somehow made it into the public domain.”
However, when it comes to discussions between Mr Blair and the President, the document states: “It is vital that the Prime Minister’s conversations with other world leaders are confidential in nature.
“Releasing the details of these conversations could limit the candor of such conversations in the future. This is fundamentally not in the public interest.”
There is nothing in the document to indicate whether sensitivity to the president’s actions that night while still at the Elysée Palace was a factor in the decision.
The documents released include a series of cables from Sir Michael Jay, the British ambassador to France, describing the scenes of the night and the public outpouring that followed.
“The French authorities, from the president down, handled last night’s events with extraordinary generosity, efficiency and sensitivity. Emergency services and hospital staff did their best to save the princess’s life,” he wrote.
“The wider public reaction has been one of great sadness alongside great affection for the Princess, as was clear from the reaction of the crowds as the farewell party left the hospital this evening.”