The Sun's decision to publish a topless photograph of Sophie Rhys-Jones was a bad misjudgement as well as a breach of the newspaper code of practice.

The code states "everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life" and that "a publication will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent".

In this case, the Sun had no justification. It was a crass stunt that upset Miss Rhys-Jones only weeks before her wedding to Prince Edward. The editor, David Yelland, today printed a full page apology.

Every instance of tabloid excess makes life harder for other newspapers and places the system of self-regulation in doubt. But state censorship must be resisted. The outrage at this extreme intrusion sends the clearest possible message to newspaper editors about what the public finds unacceptable.

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