Last News Of the World

The News Of The World (NOTW) published for the last time in its 168-year history yesterday.

Media tycoon Rupert Murdock closed the Britain’s best-selling newspaper in a desperate attempt to limit the ongoing scandal over years of phone hacking.

Up to 4,000 people, including the parents of murdered Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, those of Danielle Jones and Milly Dowler, relatives of July 7 victims and of British soldiers killed abroad have been targeted.

Ms Brooks, who is News Of The World chief executive and its former editor in 2000-2003, is accused of personally hiring private detectives during the phone hacking activities. To make things even worse, News International has given Scotland Yard papers showing that inappropriate payments were made to police officers in return for confidential information, it was confirmed last week.

Several high-profile NOTW staff and the officers concerned are likely to be arrested within the next few days.

Labour leader Ed Miliband launched a scathing attack on Ms Brooks, saying she should take responsibility and stand down. He also called for the takeover of BSkyB by the News Of The World’s parent company News Corp to be delayed and referred to the Competition Commission. Meanwhile Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons a public investigation would take place as soon the police investigation was completed.

The tabloid lost millions of pounds last week as more advertisers left the newspaper after customers expressed anger at the phone hacking claims. A fresh wave of companies followed the example set by Ford on Tuesday July 5 and withdrew their promotions from the NOTW: Mitsubishi, Virgin Holidays, Sainsbury’s, Boots, O2 and Dixon are just a few of the brands that pulled their adverts.

The developments piled even more pressure on the newspaper’s chief executive, to quit. Despite News International boss Rupert Murdoch condemned the allegations as deplorable and unacceptable, he backed Ms Brooks to continue in her current role.

On the other side, nearly 200 journalists have lost their jobs and are set to sue Rupert Murdock for unfair dismissal following the closure of the most popular Sunday’s newspaper in the UK.

From its beginnings, the News Of The World specialised in scandal and royalty, politicians, sport stars and celebrities who have been exposed in kiss and tell revelations may be relieved at its closure.

The hacking scandal is one of the biggest affecting the press in living memory, but rumors reveal that Mr Murdock is already thinking to introduce a new 'member' into his media empire. In fact, The News Of The World is likely to be replaced with a Sunday version of the News International’s flagship daily, The Sun.