One of the most controversial paparazzi witnesses to Diana, Princess of Wales's final journey has been summoned to give evidence at her inquest, the coroner revealed tonight.
But Romuald Rat - who allegedly rang a newspaper from the scene of the crash demanding £300,000 for pictures - has left the British court guessing over whether he will even attend.
Lord Justice Scott Baker announced that Mr Rat, who lives in France, may give evidence by video link from Paris tomorrow after being contacted by French officials.
But sources said tonight that officials view it as "highly unlikely" that he will attend.
The development came on the same day as the coroner suffered another legal setback in the long-running row over the paparazzi witnesses which has cast uncertainty over the inquest.
Three senior judges today threw out an appeal brought by the coroner against an earlier High Court ruling which prevents him having the paparazzi statements simply read to the jury.
The British coroner has no power to compel foreign witnesses, such as the French paparazzi who pursued Diana to the scene of her death, to give evidence.
The French government has also refused to use its own powers to force them to do so, fearing a legal battle across the Channel.
The paparazzi evidence is crucial to understanding the events of the early hours of August 31st 1997, when Diana, her lover Dodi Fayed and their driver Henri Paul were killed in a crash in the Pont de l'Alma Tunnel in Paris.
Lawyers in the case have expressed fears that the French decision could have an impact on whether key foreign witnesses could now also refuse to face a grilling from British lawyers.
The coroner had planned to sidestep the problem by having earlier statements given by paparazzi to the French police and officials read to the jury.