Scandal claims Murdoch paper

This monumental decision is also indicative of the public’s revulsion at the extent to which this publication broke the law as its investigators hacked into the phones of politicians, celebrities and the victims of some of the most sickening crimes.

In a febrile atmosphere brought about by the newspaper’s repeated obfuscation over many years, and repeated claims that executives lied to Parliament and others, the paper’s demise will be regarded by many as a victory for human decency.

Yet, while it remains to be seen whether media tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s News International empire will look to fill the void on the Sunday news stands at a later date – and such a move should not be ruled out – commercial considerations will have played their part as advertisers withdrew their support and a decision on the BSkyB acquisition was, thankfully, put on hold

News International has been dishonest throughout this scandal and has only capitulated after the hacking allegations became overwhelming – the deletion of telephone messages on the mobile phone of murder victim Milly Dowler was, for many, the tipping point.

Having repeatedly denied hacking claims, and the payment of inducements to police officers, will the organisation now fully comply with the myriad of criminal and other inquiries now under way, including a possible perjury case against the Prime Minister’s former communications director Andy Coulson?

And how can Rebekah Brooks, one of the ex-editors at the heart of the hacking storm, remain as News International’s chief executive – Mr Murdoch is said to regard her as “family” – when so many questions surround the ethics of those working under her command?

Far from being the end of the hacking inquiry, it is just another extraordinary episode in a story that will not end until the police, and others, belatedly ascertain the whole truth and bring to justice those who allowed the privacy of so many people to be abused.

Finally, this scandal would not have become so all-encompassing without the persistence of John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister and a hacking victim.

Without his determination, many people would still be none the wiser about this unprecedented breach of media ethics, privacy and, probably, the law.