Earl Spencer threatens to sue Michael Gove over Spectator podcast claim that he turned Diana away

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026 · last updated 8 October 2026.

Earl Spencer is threatening to sue former Cabinet minister Michael Gove after a Spectator podcast alleged he refused Princess Diana permission to spend the summer of 1997 at Althorp with Princes William and Harry. Spencer's spokesman rejected the claim outright, stating that Diana had made no such request that summer and that Althorp remained open to the public throughout that period. Spencer is demanding the episode be taken down from The Spectator's website, where Gove holds the position of editor. No formal legal proceedings have been initiated so far.

Spencer's spokesman said he offered Diana 'a choice of a dozen homes' on the Althorp estate after her marriage broke down, in line with police safety advice.

The podcast, recorded with Spectator assistant editor Madeline Grant, also allegedly claimed Spencer was on 'bad terms' with Diana and was 'monetising her death' with his memoir.

Spencer's spokesman noted The Times published a correction to the same Althorp claim back in 2021, making the podcast's repetition of it harder to defend.