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Burrell: Queen came through for me
LONDON, England -- Paul Burrell wept and spoke of his "relief" as the theft case against him was abandoned, saying: "The Queen has come through for me." The trial of the former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, came to a dramatic end on Friday after it emerged he had informed Queen Elizabeth that he was keeping some of Diana's paper for "safe-keeping." (Full Story) The prosecutions' case had centred around Burrell not having told anyone that he was taking some of the late princess's possessions. The queen had only mentioned the point to her son, Prince Charles, as they journeyed to St Paul's for a memorial service for the Bali bomb victims the previous Friday. (Full Story) Burrell said he was "thrilled" after he left London's Old Bailey a free man. Solicitor Andrew Shaw, speaking on Burrell's behalf, said outside the court: "He's happy and relieved to have been acquitted on all charges after the terrible ordeal of the last 21 months. "He has always maintained his total innocence... The prosecution was based on numerous errors," he said. "For example, it was never accepted that Mr Burrell was the princess's most loyal and close confidant as well as her servant. "The evidence in the trial has shown up many mistakes on the part of the police. It is a matter of regret that no proper investigation was carried out into the accuracy of the 39-page statement given to the police on 16 August 2001. "Indeed, after little time for reflection, they charged him on that day. In that statement, Mr Burrell referred to a private audience granted to him by the queen." Burrell's statement said it was "surprising" that no inquiries were made of the queen in relation to that meeting. "Mr Burrell remains deeply loyal to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and to the queen, whom he served in a personal capacity for 10 years. "It is to his utmost credit and typical of the man that it was only this week that he instructed his lawyers as to the full terms of the conversation. "Those terms were confirmed by the queen this morning." Burrell thanked his wife, Maria, family and friends as well as the friends of the late princess for their support. "Many of the princess's personal friends who rallied behind him and were prepared to give evidence for him and break their silence are also people that he will permanently and enduringly be grateful to," Shaw said. Burrell also praised the support from the general public around the world who had "inundated" him with letters and messages. "It's been an immense victory and it's a proud moment for us. Thank you very much." Leaving the Old Bailey after the dramatic developments, Burrell declared: "I'm thrilled. I'm so thrilled." Scotland Yard disputed the claim that Burrell had mentioned the private meeting with the queen in his August 16, 2001, statement to police. A spokeswoman said: "Mr Burrell referred to his meeting with the queen in the defence statement handed over in February 2002 and not on the 39-page statement lodged with police pre-charge on 16th August 2001, as has been reported."
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