Irish newspaper editor suspended over Kate topless photos

LONDON (AFP) - The editor of the Irish Daily Star was suspended on Monday over the publishing of topless photos of Prince William's wife Catherine as the British royals take legal action over the pictures.

The newspaper's joint owners, British group Northern and Shell and Ireland-based Independent News and Media, were quick to condemn the decision to feature the blurry paparazzi images in Saturday's edition.

The company behind the Dublin operation, Independent Star, said Monday it had suspended editor Michael O'Kane "with immediate effect" pending an internal investigation into the republication of images which first appeared in French magazine Closer.

The announcement comes after the royal couple lodged a criminal complaint against Closer in Paris earlier on Monday.