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Rediff.com  » News » UK tabloid 'News of the World' to shut down

UK tabloid 'News of the World' to shut down

July 08, 2011 08:42 IST
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Sunday's edition of the British tabloid News of the World, one of the oldest newspapers in Britain, will be its last. The 168-year-old tabloid is shutting down following accusations of hacking into the mobile phones of crime and terror victims, celebrities and politicians.

The scandal could have far-reaching consequences and may be politically damaging to British Prime Minister David Cameron, according to the CNN.

British media reported on Thursday that Andy Coulson, Cameron's former director of communications, has been told by police that he should go to a police station to be arrested on Friday morning over his alleged knowledge or involvement in the mobile phone-hacking practices that took place while he was editor of the News of the World.  

He resigned as editor of the newspaper in January 2007 after the News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman and a private investigator, Glenn Mulcaire, were jailed for intercepting voicemail messages on royal aides' phones, reports CNN.

The Guardian also says that a former senior journalist at the paper will also be arrested in the next few days.

Downing Street has said it had no role or involvement in the decision to close.  

News International chairman James Murdoch said no advertisements would run in this weekend's paper - instead any advertising space would be donated to charities and good causes, and proceeds from sales would also go to good causes, reports the BBC.

The News of the World, which sells about 2.8million copies a week, is famed for its celebrity scoops and sex scandals, earning it the nickname, the News of the Screws.

More details awaited

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