MUMBAI: News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch has defended British tabloid The Sun?s decision to publish nude pictures of Prince Harry claiming that doing so was necessary to demonstrate lack of "press freedom" in UK.

The issue has raised a stink ever since it was published on Friday sparking criticism from public and politicians alike. In fact, the Press Complaints Commission has received more than 850 complaints from public against The Sun for publishing the pictures.

It is believed that the members of Royal family had asked the PCC to request media not to publish those pictures to which the latter agreed and none of the British newspapers used it. However, on Friday The Sun at the behest of its owner Rupert Murdoch decided to publish those pictures thereby causing embarrasment to St James?s Palace.

No sooner the pictures appeared it kicked up a storm with many questioning the motive behind the move. Many also argued that publishing pictures were an invasion of privacy and one that doesn?t serve any public interest.

According to one school of thought in the British press, the move was Murdoch?s way of warning his critics (read Lord Justice Leveson) who is probing the phone hacking scandal at the now defunct News of the World.

However, Murdoch is unperturbed by the criticism and the media baron took to Twitter to defend the The Sun, "Needed to demonstrate no such thing as free press in the UK. Internet makes mockery of these issues. 1st amendment please."

Murdoch?s defiance notwithstanding fears are being raised that The Sun?s actions will give a reason to Lord Justice Leveson to come down harder on press.

He later came out in defence of Prince Harry saying people should give him a break. "Prince Harry. Give him a break. He may be on the public payroll one way or another, but the public loves him, even to enjoy Las Vegas," Murdoch said somewhat tongue-in-cheek.