THE worst side of British tabloid media trade in gossip, sensation, and all too often vilification.

Public figures the prime targets. But not excluding members of the public that fall victim to deeply personal and vicious attacks.

The prime example of the state of this wild west industry, industrial scale phone hacking from News International – the News of the World and others – in 2011. The hacking itself going back to early 2000s And who were first on the hacking hit lists but the Royals, including teenagers Prince William and Prince Harry.

A tabloid industry out of any and all control, lashing out hugely destructive vilification as they chose, no different in 2021 as in 2011, and back decades.

Just look at the comparison between wide-scale tabloid treatment of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.

“Pregnant Kate tenderly cradles her baby bump...” – “Why can’t Meghan keep her hands off her bump...”. “Prince William gifted with an avocado for pregnant Dutchess...”. – “Meghan Markle’s beloved avocado linked to human rights abuse...”.

And so it goes through the tabloid media year in year out. At worst impossible to conceive more blatant bias, prejudice, lies, and downright cruelty.

And let us not forget it was packs of crazed tabloid photographers on motorbikes that played a major part driving Prince Harry’s mother to her death in Paris, August 31, 1997.

What a terrible impact on Prince Harry and Prince William to live with all their lives.

If Diana Spencer was alive today it is impossible to conceive she would not stand four square with Meghan Markle on all these issues, not least mental health. Both struggled with Palace exclusion and alienation. Both were deeply distressed by insatiable tabloid intrusion.

In all it is voracious British tabloid media that have been the final straw driving these young Royals out of the UK.

But then in the end the right decision for Harry and Meghan.

And indeed a very brave decision which I for one roundly applaud, and wish them the very best.

JEFF WILLIAMS

Jubilee Road, Poole