Independent News and Media (INM) is conducting an investigation into what it says was the “regrettable decision” by the Irish Daily Star to publish topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge on Saturday.

The tabloid is co-owned by INM and the British media group Northern and Shell.

Itwas the second paper to run the controversial images of Kate Middleton sunbathing.

Yesterday the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it was “gravely concerned” for the future of jobs at the paper after its UK owners threatened to pull out of the joint venture.

INM released a statement last night saying that the call to close the Irish edition was disproportionate.

Meanwhile lawyers for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are due in a French court today in a bid to stop further publication of topless photos of Kate.

They will also make a criminal complaint against the photographer who took the pictures which were later published in Closer.

Christina Michalos is a media lawyer.

She says it is not about the money but that what happens will be more territorial.

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