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Sun newspaper drops Page Three topless pictures - Times Sun newspaper drops Page Three topless pictures - Times
(34 minutes later)
The Sun newspaper will no longer feature topless women on Page Three, the Times has reported.The Sun newspaper will no longer feature topless women on Page Three, the Times has reported.
The Times, which has the same publisher as the Sun, said it understood Friday's edition of the Sun was the last which would carry images of topless women, although they would continue online.The Times, which has the same publisher as the Sun, said it understood Friday's edition of the Sun was the last which would carry images of topless women, although they would continue online.
Page Three has been a Sun feature for 44 years but has been criticised for being sexist and outdated.Page Three has been a Sun feature for 44 years but has been criticised for being sexist and outdated.
The Sun's press office would neither confirm nor deny the reports.The Sun's press office would neither confirm nor deny the reports.
Dylan Sharpe, the Sun's head of public relations tweeted: "Page 3 will be in the Sun tomorrow in the same place it's always been - between page 2 and page 4."Dylan Sharpe, the Sun's head of public relations tweeted: "Page 3 will be in the Sun tomorrow in the same place it's always been - between page 2 and page 4."
'Right direction''Right direction'
The Sun had already stopped carrying topless images at weekends, and sometimes did the same during the week.The Sun had already stopped carrying topless images at weekends, and sometimes did the same during the week.
Page Three of the Sun featured model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in lingerie on Monday and Hollyoaks actresses Jennifer Metcalfe and Gemma Merna appeared in bikinis on a beach on Tuesday.Page Three of the Sun featured model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in lingerie on Monday and Hollyoaks actresses Jennifer Metcalfe and Gemma Merna appeared in bikinis on a beach on Tuesday.
The Times, which is a News UK title, said the paper had decided to quietly drop the feature. It reported that News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch is understood to have signed off the decision.The Times, which is a News UK title, said the paper had decided to quietly drop the feature. It reported that News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch is understood to have signed off the decision.
The topless images have long drawn protests from campaigners, with an online petition attracting more than 215,000 signatures.The topless images have long drawn protests from campaigners, with an online petition attracting more than 215,000 signatures.
A campaign group called No More Page Three was founded in 2012 by Lucy-Anne Holmes, and has since gained support from a number of MPs and anti-sexism charities.A campaign group called No More Page Three was founded in 2012 by Lucy-Anne Holmes, and has since gained support from a number of MPs and anti-sexism charities.
Ms Holmes told BBC Newsnight the group would not claim victory if scantily clad women continued to appear in the paper but it was a "step in the right direction" if they were no longer topless.Ms Holmes told BBC Newsnight the group would not claim victory if scantily clad women continued to appear in the paper but it was a "step in the right direction" if they were no longer topless.
She said: "The Sun hasn't suddenly decided that women say, think and do interesting and incredible things, it's still basically saying women are here for decoration."She said: "The Sun hasn't suddenly decided that women say, think and do interesting and incredible things, it's still basically saying women are here for decoration."
'Breasts not brains''Breasts not brains'
Labour MP Stella Creasy, also an anti-Page Three campaigner, told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The objectification of women in this way was basically saying to all of us that what mattered, frankly, were our breasts not our brains."Labour MP Stella Creasy, also an anti-Page Three campaigner, told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The objectification of women in this way was basically saying to all of us that what mattered, frankly, were our breasts not our brains."
Media commentator Steve Hewlett argued the feature had been seen as "embarrassing" and its removal was evidence of the paper "trying to re-invent itself in the world post phone-hacking".Media commentator Steve Hewlett argued the feature had been seen as "embarrassing" and its removal was evidence of the paper "trying to re-invent itself in the world post phone-hacking".
Jodie Marsh, who has appeared on Page Three a number of times, tweeted in defence of the Sun's feature: "So called "feminists" really annoy me. Telling girls they shouldn't do page 3 is NOT being a feminist; women should do WHATEVER they want!!"
The Irish edition of the Sun stopped topless pictures two years ago.The Irish edition of the Sun stopped topless pictures two years ago.
Reports suggest the change to the paper edition may be reversed if it results in a noticeable drop in sales.Reports suggest the change to the paper edition may be reversed if it results in a noticeable drop in sales.