Princess Diana's former lover James Hewitt has been axed from his job as a war correspondent for Fox News, before even shipping out to the Middle East.
Hewitt was to be paid £50,000 by the American TV company to report on the conflict which is expected to erupt in Iraq within weeks. The Gulf War veteran won the contract after appearing on rival network CNN to talk about his plans to sell Di's love letters.
The station pulled out of the deal, however, after news of his new posting hit the British press. Hewitt, who has no journalistic experience, was flown to New York for a five-minute meeting in which he was dismissed.
"It's a big kick in the teeth," said his lawyer Michael Coleman. "I can't figure out why they're doing this. We don't know what's going on; but obviously someone behind the scenes went berserk and said, 'whatever you do, just get rid of him'."
CNN has also rejected suggestions that it might take him on as a war reporter. "We hire journalists," said a spokeswoman. There is still a small chance the former tank commander will wind up in the Gulf, however, as he's still a reservist and could be ordered to serve with the British forces.
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