PRINCESS Diana had a one-night stand with John F Kennedy Junior. It is one of the sensational claims made in a book written by the princess's former therapist Simone Simmons.

Of course, neither Diana nor Kennedy are alive to confirm or deny the allegation. How very convenient.

The claims in the book, being serialised in The Sun this week, have come thick and fast: Diana was forced to initiate DNA tests to prove that Prince Charles was Harry's father; she had sex with surgeon Hasnat Khan on the day her divorce came through; she used cocaine; she ridiculed Prince Charles's love-making, giving him one out of ten.

Eight years after Diana's death, there are still those trying to make money by raking up the past, peddling stories which sell even though they have no credibility.

Our concerns are for Diana's sons who have had to grow up without their mother and are still having to face hurtful allegations about the way she lived her life.

William, understandably, was reported to have been reduced to tears by the claims this week and both princes are said to have been "sickened".

We sincerely hope that Simone Simmons's book is a flop because the only way to stop the tawdry trade in Diana scandal-mongering is to ensure it isn't profitable.

Sadly, it is a hope that doesn't come with any confidence.