Murdoch sanctioned Harry photo publication to counter Leveson ‘humiliation’
Fresh details have emerged surrounding the Sun’s controversial decision to publish a front cover image of a naked Prince Harry, following suggestions that Rupert Murdoch personally intervened to sanction the controversial move.
The Independent reports that Murdoch ‘ordered’ The Sun to publish, against the expressed wishes of the Royal Family, to act as a warning shot to Lord Justice Leveson.
Sources told the paper that Murdoch rang News International chief executive Tom Monkbridge on Thursday to insist on the move, overruling fears of possible repercussions from Leveson.
Murdoch is alleged to have said: “There is a principle here. I know this is about Leveson but this is humiliating. We can't carry on like this. We should run them, do it and say to Leveson, we are doing it for press freedom."
The Press Complaints Commission have thus far received 850 complaints from the public though none as yet from the Royal Family directly.