Mel Greig, one half of the duo behind the 2DayFM royal prank call scandal late last year, will appear at the British inquest into the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who committed suicide after being involved in the prank.
News of Greig’s involvement in the inquest comes a day after London’s Sunday Times reported that Saldanha left a handwritten note blaming Greig and Christian for her death and requesting that they pay her mortgage. Greig’s spokesperson said the timing of the announcement of her involvement was purely coincidental.
Greig is yet to decide whether she will attend the inquest in person or by video link, but her lawyers today released a statement saying:
“Ms Saldanha’s suicide was a devastating tragedy and Ms Greig’s thoughts have been with the family ever since. Ms Greig fully understands their need for answers, which is why she has taken this step to appear as an individual at the inquest.
“She is determined to address any questions surrounding her role in these tragic events as part of the inquest. Ms Greig wants the family to know she will answer any questions the coroner or the family’s lawyers may have at the inquest.”
Greig and Hot 30 co-host Michael Christian made a prank call to King Edward VII’s Hospital in early December, pretending to be Prince Charles and the Queen in order to obtain details on Kate Middleton condition, who was being treated for acute morning sickness at the time.
Saldanha answered the prank call and transferred the radio show to a colleague, who divulged private medical information to the duo. Ms Saldanha, aged 46, took her own life later that week after the hoax was widely covered by the British media.
The inquest into Jacintha Saldanha’s death will take place later this year.
