Stop Diana "circus", lawmakers plead to coroner

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - Senior British parliamentarians on Thursday urged the judge hearing the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and her lover Dodi al-Fayed in a Paris car crash to bring the "circus" to a halt.

But the plea was forcefully rejected by the coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker, who issued a sharp warning to anyone commenting on the value of the hearing.

"These inquests ... will continue to be heard by the jury, which in due course will return its verdict," he said.

"I remind everyone ... that the jury decides the case on the evidence it hears in this court and on nothing else.

"Comments that are made outside the court, often about a limited aspect of the evidence, may render the maker or publisher liable to contempt of court," he added, referring to strict rules designed to ensure the fairness of legal hearings.

The lawmakers expressed concern after up to 10 members of Britain's secret service were summoned to give evidence next week at the inquest, which has so far cost six million pounds.

"WASTE, FARCE, ABUSE"