Butler 'did not ask' if he could take items

The Royal butler Paul Burrell had not asked permission from the Bishop of London, an executor of the will of Diana, Princess of Wales, to remove property from Kensington Palace, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.

The Right Rev Richard Chartres was called to give details about his role as Dean of the Chapels Royal and as an executor of the £21m will.

Asked by William Boyce, QC, for the prosecution, if he was ever informed by Mr Burrell that he was taking the property in trust for the princes or removing items from Kensington Palace, the bishop replied both times: "Not to my recollection."

The bishop said he did not remember Mr Burrell being given permission to take a bronze statue of a ballerina, which was shown to the jury after it had been removed from Mr Burrell's house.

Asked by Mr Boyce whether he had any concerns about his co-executors, Diana's mother, Frances Shand-Kydd and her sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, he said: "No".

Mr Burrell, 44, from Farndon, Cheshire, denies the theft of hundreds of personal items from the Princess's estate and property belonging to the Prince of Wales and Prince William.

The trial continues.