Full text of Burrell's post-trial statement

Here is the full text of a statement on behalf of Paul Burrell, read by his solicitor Andrew Shaw:

"I am instructed to make a statement on behalf of Paul Burrell. 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.

"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.

"It's 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.

"Mr Burrell has had not only the steadfast support of his wife, Maria, who has not attended court purely because she was a witness in this case and was not allowed to do so, but also of the very close family and all of his friends.

"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.

"We also thank the general public for their support throughout the trial. He's been inundated with letters and messages of support from around the world and we thank those people as well who have kept faith with them.

"Finally he thanks us, his defence team, for our help and I'd add my own thanks to Lord Carlile and to Ray Herman who shared the load and fought this case with me, and to Lesley, my secretary, and my family for their support.

"It's been an immense victory and it's a proud moment for us. Thank you very much."