The whistleblower who first disclosed Martin Bashir’s dirty tricks to secure his Princess Diana interview has reached a financial settlement with the BBC.

       Matt Wiessler, a freelance graphic artist, was blacklisted by the broadcaster 25 years ago for raising concerns over Bashir after he asked him to fake bank statements.

       The statements were later used by the journalist to persuade Diana, Princess of Wales, to take part in her headline-making 1995 Panorama interview.

       In a statement, the BBC said: "We are pleased that the BBC and Mr Wiessler have reached an agreement. We would like to repeat our full and unconditional apology to Mr Wiessler for the way he was treated by the corporation in the past.

       "We also apologise to Mr Wiessler's family.

       "Mr Wiessler acted with complete integrity, including in raising his concerns at the time and we are sorry that these were not listened to. We wish Mr Wiessler all the best for the future."

       Mr Wiessler previously said that his business had folded as a result of being blacklisted by the BBC.

       The explosive 1995 interview with Diana saw the princess say there were "three of us" in her marriage, and question Charles' suitability as king.

       A recent investigation by Lord Dyson into the interview criticised the methods Mr Bashir used to secure the exclusive.

       The report also suggested the BBC had failed to uphold "governance, accountability and scrutiny".

       Mr Wiessler's lawyer said: "Mr Wiessler is relieved that the BBC has now matched the director-general's fulsome apologies with appropriate financial compensation for the wrongs done to him and the profound impact they had on his and his family's life.

       "It is important to my client that the BBC has acknowledged that he acted properly and responsibly throughout."