False News of Blood Samples Delays Diana Inquest

The Princess Diana inquest came to a brief halt today after the possibility of new evidence arose, the Daily Mail reports. Just as the inquest was winding down, the coroner received an email saying a new blood sample from Diana's driver had turned up in Paris. The evidence would have been key to the dispute over whether Henri Paul was intoxicated, but the samples turned out to be bunk.

"Members of the jury, I'm happy to say the problem has been resolved and there's nothing to be worried about and we can proceed,” said the coroner, Scott Baker. He also told the inquest in his summing up that it was almost certain that Paul Burrell, the princess' ex-butler, had lied in his testimony, saying the jury should "proceed with caution" when considering his statements. (More Diana inquest stories.)