Irish Daily Star editor resigns over publication of topless Kate pictures

The editor of the Irish Daily Star has resigned over the publication of topless pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge.

Michael O’Kane has taken the decision to step down just over two months after he was suspended amid an internal investigation into the publication of the photographs.

O’Kane decided to follow the French Closer magazine in publishing photographs of the duchess sunbathing topless on a private balcony in the south of France.

Richard Desmond, whose Northern and Shell group co-owns the title with Independent News and Media, had previously threatened to close down the tabloid.

O'Kane's resignation comes less than a year after he was made editor on 29 November 2011.

The Irish Times quotes an Irish Daily Star statement saying: “As a result of the publication on 15 September 2012, issues arose with the shareholders of Independent Star Limited.

“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.”

The statement also insisted that O’Kane had been highly professional and followed all the newspaper’s editorial policies and guidelines, according to the Irish Times.

The statement concluded: “Independent Star Limited thanks Michael O'Kane for his valued service and wishes him the very best in the next chapter of his career in the media, which we are certain will be long and fruitful.”