THE whistleblower News of the World reporter who alleged Andy Coulson “encouraged” him to hack phones has been found dead.

THE News of the World has been sensationally closed down in a bid by Rupert Murdoch’s News International to contain the phone hacking scandal — but the closure has been seen as a stunt to pave the way for a new Sunday tabloid title untainted by the claims.

THE Irish edition of the News of the World will cease to exist along with its parent operation following its last run off the presses this Sunday.