Tabloid will not be closed despite pressure

Industry sources believe the Irish Daily Star will not close even if joint shareholder Richard Desmond follows through on his threat to pull out of the title, while the Government has moved to shore up privacy laws as a result of the controversy.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said it would be “nonsense” to close the paper over its publication of topless pictures of Kate Middleton, claiming such a move would be “completely disproportionate”.

Mr Desmond’s UK-based company Northern and Shell &is joint shareholder in the Irish Daily Star with Independent News and Media, and industry insiders believe there are question marks over whether N&S has the power to close the title.