CSM INTERVIEWS
On 7th November 1974 the body of a children’s nanny, Sandra Rivett, was discovered in a mail sack in the basement of a Belgravia townhouse. The chief suspect was the father of the children, an Eton-educated gambler called Richard John Bingham, the seventh earl of Lucan, ‘Lord Lucan’ – who had disappeared. It started a decades-long manhunt amidst varying rumours of what happened to Lord Lucan. A three-part series called ‘Lucan’ has been showing on BBC iPlayer over the last year and is now going global. It follows the deeply personal quest of builder, Neil Berriman, whose conviction in his own ability to solve the mystery is unshakeable. The case has consumed Neil for the last two decades, and it has done so for very personal reasons: Neil’s birth mother was Sandra Rivett. Last week, CSM Editor Dominic Wightman went to meet Neil near his home in Hampshire.
DW: I have to say Neil, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed the three-parter BBC documentary ‘Lucan’ and watched it all in one sitting. How is new-found fame treating you, or do you prefer just to keep a clear head and focus on the target?
NB: Thank you, Dom. The attention has been overwhelming at times, but my focus has always been on finding the truth about what happened to Lord Lucan and securing justice for Sandra. Any ‘fame’ is secondary—this is about closure, for me and for her.
Neil Berriman, Sandra Rivett’s son
DW: The documentary is now going global. What are your hopes? Do you think that having more people watching will help build pressure on the authorities in the UK and Australia (which, without spoiling the documentary for others, is where you think you have found Lucan)?
NB: Absolutely. The more eyes on this case, the harder it becomes for anyone to ignore the evidence we’ve uncovered. Australia has been a key focus, and I believe international scrutiny could force authorities to act. Silence has protected Lucan for decades; exposure is one of our best weapons.
DW: Again, without wanting to spoil the documentary for the public, there are organisations like the Met and the Theosophical Society who must be hoping you give up now. They must be sick of the sight of you. You are like a weeble man; you keep bouncing back however many knocks you take.
NB: When I expose the truth the cover-up will shatter. All those responsible, if they are still alive, should be subject to a public inquiry. You can’t go around covering for a murderer, that’s unacceptable.
DW: And what about Lucan’s family? The new breed of aristocrats are much more open and empathetic. It seems surprising they have not reached out to you to offer assistance?
NB: We live in hope. I am very approachable. They can visit my website and get in touch with me directly; if necessary, in confidence. It would be the right thing for them to do. Science has moved on a lot in the last 50 years and they will know this.
DW: What comes across in the documentary is the deep love you hold for both your mothers, Sandra and your adoptive mother. Is it the same feeling you share towards both?
NB: It’s a different kind of love, but equally profound. My adoptive mother gave me a wonderful life, and I’ll always be grateful. But discovering Sandra’s story—her kindness, her tragic death—has driven me to fight for her. I feel Sandra with me on this journey.
DW: You mention at the end of the third part of the documentary that you are not done. In other words, there is likely to be a part four?
NB: Without giving too much away, yes. There are leads we’re still chasing, people who’ve yet to speak. The story isn’t over until we have definitive answers. More people should come forward, it is better to be on the side of the light. If the BBC or another documentary producer is willing, there will be further episodes. Of course I’ll keep going until every stone is turned.
DW: Has your pursuit of the truth led you to change your mind about the British Establishment? Whereas before you might have seen a bunch of harmless, inbred aristocrats, now you are seeing some of them as a lethal self-preservation society?
NB: [laughs grimly] Oh, absolutely. The Establishment closed ranks around Lucan from day one. This wasn’t just about protecting one man—it was about preserving a system that lets privilege override justice. The lies, the cover-ups—they’re institutional. And they’re deadly.
DW: The clock is ticking, loudly. Lucan, if alive, is 90.
NB: Time is against us, but so is it against him. Age doesn’t erase guilt. He’s alive, the truth deserves to outlive him. He’s still breathing, I want him to know we’re coming.
Investigative journalist, ex ITV crime reporter Glen Campbell with Neil
DW: How are you and (the investigator) Glen Campbell getting on? There were some moments during the documentary, for example when you invented the pseudonym Beza Dougal and approached a target directly, when Glen seemed to be facepalming. Glen seems like a very professional and chilled character. Despite being steely, you seem more to shoot from the hip! You still get on fine?
NB: [smiles] Glen’s been a rock, even when I’ve gone rogue, as has my lovely partner Kim. Yes, the “Beza Dougal” stunt gave him a headache, but he gets why I do it—this isn’t just a job for me. We balance each other out. His patience and my… let’s call it determination—make us a great team.
DW: I have to say the documentary was excellent, and as many people as possible should watch it. I think your mothers, both, will be extremely proud of your achievements. The battle for Truth can be brutal, you are made of sterner stuff. I take my hat off to you for trying—it involves real personal sacrifice. Well done. You are a Truth avatar, Neil, and that takes real guts in these days of lies.
NB: That means a lot, Dom. This fight has cost me years, relationships, peace of mind. But if it shakes loose the Truth, it’s worth every second. Sandra deserved better. And I won’t stop until she gets it.
DW: Thanks Neil. An honour to have lunch with you. Best of luck seeing this through and congrats to your whole team, especially to Glen, for a fine body of work.
NB: Thanks Dom. You’re a gent.