Irish Daily Star editor resigns over Duchess Kate topless pics controversy
London, November 25 (ANI)
The editor of the Irish newspaper, who made headlines for publishing topless pictures of Duchess Kate while the royal couple were on a holiday, has resigned, it has been revealed.
The Irish Daily Star's Michael O'Kane had been suspended from his role in September while an internal investigation was carried out into the tabloid's decision to rerun pictures of Kate and Prince William sunbathing on a private holiday in France.
Media tycoon Richard Desmond, whose Northern and Shell group co-owns the newspaper with the Irish-based Independent News and Media, had threatened to shut the Dublin operation down.
However, sources said that shareholders were working to secure the future of the newspaper, which employs about 120 people.
It is understood there has been no change to the status of the 25-year-old joint venture on the back of O'Kane's resignation.
In September, Desmond said he was very angry at the decision to publish the photographs and was "taking immediate steps to close down the joint venture."
O'Kane had previously said that he couldn't think of "any reason not to publish them."
"The duchess would be no different to any other celeb pics we would get in, for example Rihanna or Lady Gaga," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.
The Irish Daily Star commented on the resignation.
"As a result of the publication on 15 September 2012, issues arose with the shareholders of Independent Star Limited," the newspaper said.
"Having considered those issues in tandem with Mr O'Kane, it is Mr O'Kane's decision to resign as editor of the Irish Daily Star, effective immediately," it added.