Last updated 11:30, Monday, 26 May 2008

MOHAMED al Fayed said he has finally abandoned his 10-and-a-half year long legal quest to prove that Diana, Princess of Wales and his son Dodi Fayed were murdered by the security services.

PAUL BURRELL

The Harrods owner said his decision – made the day after an inquest into the deaths returned verdicts of unlawful killing – was made for the sake of her sons, Princes William and Harry.

Scotland Yard today announced that it was looking into comments made by Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell who was recorded telling an undercover reporter he had not told the inquest the “whole truth”.

Although the coroner did not refer the matter to officers for investigation, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said the force had received a complaint and had “a duty to look at whether Paul Burrell should be considered for perjury”.

In an interview with ITV News last night, Mr al Fayed said he accepted the verdict of the inquest “with reservations” and said: “Enough is enough.”

But he maintained he still believed his son and the princess were murdered and said the inquest backed up his belief.He told Sir Trevor McDonald: “I’m a father who has lost his son and I’ve done everything for 10 years. But now with the verdict I accept it, but with reservations.“Enough is enough... for the sake of the two princes, who I know loved their mother.“I am sure they are blessing in their deep heart what I’m doing to discover the truth.“But I have (had) enough. I’m leaving the rest for God to get my revenge. I’m not doing anything any more... this is the end.”He said he was “tired” with his fight for justice despite his lawyers telling him he still had options.And he maintained his criticism of coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker for not exploring every aspect of the case.He said: “After long thoughts I have decided I think it is time to accept the verdict but with lots of things which I’m not approving 100% because the coroner has not explored all the potential to give the jury.“I’m very grateful to (the jury) because the most important thing in their verdict is that they mention that it is not an accident, it’s an unlawful killing.“After meeting with my lawyers this afternoon, there are still a lot of options but I’m tired.”Prime Minister Gordon Brown raised concerns earlier that further inquiries into the deaths risked diverting vital Security Services resources away from counter-terrorism work if officers had to give evidence again.He went on to echo a call from Trevor Rees, the sole survivor of the crash, for all concerned to “move on” after an inquest jury found that Diana and her lover Dodi Fayed were unlawfully killed by a drink-driving Fayed employee and a pack of paparazzi.The Prime Minister, apparently referring to reports that Diana’s sons William and Harry have told friends they want an end to speculation about their mother’s death, said: “I think it’s time to draw a line.“I think the Princes William and Harry have spoken for the whole country when they say this is time to bring this to an end.”He added: “I believe also that our security services, who have co-operated with the inquiry to the fullest, have or would continue to be diverted from the important work they do if we had to have another rerun of this.“So I think it’s important we draw a line.”Mr Rees issued a terse public statement earlier, giving his backing to the jury’s verdict.He said: “I agree with the jury’s verdict, and welcome the end of the inquest process.“I hope that this now represents a point from which everyone involved can move on.”Diana and her lover were killed alongside their driver Henri Paul when the Mercedes they were in slammed into the 13th pillar of the Alma Tunnel in Paris on August 31 1997.After 10-and-a-half years and inquiries likely to cost taxpayers well over £12 million, the 11 jury members concluded yesterday that the “People’s Princess” was unlawfully killed by bad driving.Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens, whose Paget inquiry investigated the conspiracy theories, said he hoped Diana and her lover would be allowed to rest in peace.Mr al Fayed has never accepted that Mr Paul – his employee – was drink-driving, despite compelling evidence believed by the jury.Instead he has chosen to believe the crash was plotted by the Duke of Edinburgh and MI6.ends