London, Feb 12 : Mohamed Fayed’s lawyer told the inquest into the Harrods owner’s son Dodi and Princess Diana’s deaths that he was “pretty sure” the couple were engaged.

Stuart Benson, who worked for Mohamed Fayed for more fifteen years, told the jury that he had received a phone call from Dodi just two days before the crash, and that the latter had told him that he had some “very exciting news”.

“It was singularly short and pretty much the exact words (were) ’can’t really talk over the phone but my friend and I have very exciting news,” the Daily Express quoted him, as saying.

“’Are you around on Monday to have lunch as it will mean lots of issues to talk about and discuss’.”

When asked by Ian Burnett QC, why he had concluded the news was an engagement, Mr Stuart said the “tone of voice and voice used” had led him to believe so.

“It was clearly not a business discussion. It was something he felt he could not talk about on the phone - that was my reaction to what he said,” the lawyer said.

Mr Benson also told the inquest that the Princess was not mentioned by name by Dodi as he was concerned that his calls might be bugged.

The inquest into the couple’s death continues. (ANI)