PAUL Burrell himself says he would never betray Diana's memory. The details he divulged to the national tabloid, he said, were carefully selected and the highly personal things about Diana had come from a 39-page police statement run by a rival newspaper.

He is said to have told Princes William and Harry "I will never betray your mother or you for as long as I live.

"Some things will go to my grave with me. You have nothing to fear from me. I want the boys to know that some of the things that are being printed in other newspapers have not come from my mouth.

"Those details were never intended to be made public. But now other people have got hold of my statement and it makes me feel sick."

Others are backing Paul Burrell as someone who is prepared to stand up for the truth.

High profile Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed, a fierce critic of the Royal family has been on the butler's side since he started to reveal insider details on his life working for Diana.

Mr Al Fayed is convinced Diana and his son Dodi's death is all part of a plot by the security services, which some are speculating the Queen was referring to in her private conversation with Paul Burrell. He is keen for any revelations which he says could lead closer to the truth.

He said: "Diana confided to me more than once that the security services were keeping her under surveillance and she had very real fears that her life was under direct threat from them."

Major James Hewitt, who was criticised for cashing in on his affair with Diana, has also said it was important that the public were made aware of the truth.

He said: "As long as sufficient information is gleaned that will reveal the truth in a full and fair way, I think it is fair."