Paul Burrell slams Diana sex claims

16-06-2008 14:00

Paul Burrell has denied claims he had an affair with Britain's Princess Diana.

Burrell's brother-in-law Ron Cosgrove says the former royal butler claimed he had a sexual relationship with Diana in 1993, and repeated the allegation a year later at his wife Maria's 40th birthday party.

Last night (15.06.08), Paul and Maria both refuted the claims, although they issued separate statements.

Paul - who worked for the princess for ten years until her death in 1997 - said: "Myself and my wife Maria feel tremendously sad and hurt that he has resorted to such vengeance by way of response.

Myself and my wife Maria feel tremendously sad and hurt that he has resorted to such vengeance by way of response.

"Anyone who knows me, who knew the princess, and who understands the boundaries and decencies of royal service, will know just how fanciful, distasteful and malicious these claims truly are."

Maria, who was supported by her other brother Peter, said: "I am mortified and hugely embarrassed at the claims attributed to my brother Ron Cosgrove, and disassociate myself with everything he is reported to have said.

"It is perhaps no coincidence that these claims surfaced just three weeks after he asked - via voicemail - for money which we were unwilling to provide."