Newspaper to close over Kate Middleton topless pictures scandal

The Irish Daily Star is set to close over its publication of topless pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton.

Owner Richard Desmond is taking steps to close down the newspaper - a joint venture between Northern & Shell and Independent News and Media - after they published pictures of the Duchess topless in France without informing the UK-based Daily Star. Media baron Desmond told the Daily Star: "I am very angry at the decision to publish these photographs and am taking immediate steps to close down the joint venture. “The decision to publish these pictures has no justification whatever and Northern & Shell condemns it in the strongest possible terms."