BITTER EX-CORONER BUTLER-SLOSS ATTACKS THE DIANA INQUEST SHE ONCE PRESIDED OVER

The ex-coroner of the Diana Inquest, who resigned last June, now claims Mohamed Al Fayed's vast fortune is the only reason it has been able to go on for so long. Baroness Butler-Sloss said: "I don't think that anybody, however persevering and persistent, without the money that he has could have kept it going."

Interviewed by Cambridge Student magazine, Butler-Sloss also pointed out that very few members of the public are turning up to watch the courtroom marathon, which has already cost the taxpayer £6million. She seems oblivious to the fact that most people have to work all day and do not have time to attend the Inquest but this does not mean they are not interested.

74-year-old Baroness Butler-Sloss is Britain's former top woman judge and a staunch Establishmentarian. She was brought out of retirement to take over as coroner in September 2006 after her predecessor, Royal Coroner Michael Burgess, quit blaming a "heavy and constant" workload.

But the former head of the Family Division, used to sitting alone to hear cases in the High Court, had a most difficult time presiding over the high-profile proceedings. She had to concede several embarrassing legal victories to Mr Al Fayed, who insists Diana and his son Dodi were murdered by the British Establishment.

She suffered the serious indignity of being overruled by three High Court judges who agreed with the Harrods mogul that the inquest must sit with a jury. Butler-Sloss had wanted the hearings to be held without a jury and created obstacles designed to keep the press and public away from the Inquest that has generated worldwide interest.

Seven months after taking over, before the full hearing began, she announced she would stand down because she felt she was not up to the task of handling the case. Many viewed her decision as a sign of defeat for the Royal Household who put her in place to handle the Inquest.

Mohamed Al Fayed has paid for Michael Mansfield QC, Britain's foremost barrister, to represent his family at the inquest. The Lawyer magazine has estimated that the barrister will pocket more than £680,000 for his work at the inquest.

Katharine Witty for Mr Al Fayed dismissed Baroness Butler-Sloss's comments as a "silly outburst". She added: "The scope, costs and duration of an inquest are decided by the coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker, not Mohamed Al Fayed or any other interested person. She's effectively saying that British justice is for sale to the highest bidder. Her silly outburst confirms her good sense in stepping down from the role of coroner."