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The closure of any newspaper is a cause for sadness in any country that prides itself, as Britain does, on its possession of a free, plural and powerful press   There is no doubt that the travesties against journalism perpetrated by a previous regime at the News of the World warrant severe retribution But that retribution should be exacted by British courts against the individuals proven through due process to have broken the laws that govern journalistic practice We insist that so-called justice should not be served by the governing elite of News International against a largely blameless newsroom Neither can we accept, as rumours grow that the Sun will become a seven-day newspaper, that the sacrificial offering up of a name should assuage the public’s discontent These wounds are too deep to cauterise Too many questions remain Rebekah Brooks remains Any editor who fails to query her reporters on the sources of their stories, as she claims, is guilty of a gross dereliction of duty Rebekah Brooks is not incompetent We must ask why the Murdochs consider her continued involvement with News International to be of greater value than the retention of a 168-year old brand with the largest readership in the UK and a staff of 200 It is hard to believe that Rupert Murdoch, a man not previously associated with the prioritisation of sentimental attachment over good business sense, would allow so destructively divisive a figure to continue simply because he enjoys her company to dinner Among those who are known to enjoy her company at dinner is this country’s prime minister, who appointed her successor as the editor of the News of the World to be his director of communications That man, Andy Coulson, is again being questioned by the police Following his press conference this morning, we know now that David Cameron is among those few people in this country who believe that the duties of an editor do not include checking the sources on his lead stories On Wednesday he wrung his hands at Prime Minister’s Questions and has