Page 3 campaign grows as Leveson recalls Sun editor

More than 40 per cent of women in the UK would support a ban on the use of topless photos in newspapers, a new poll has found.

The research commissioned by women's charity Platform 51 comes as Sun editor Dominic Mohan is recalled to give further evidence at the Leveson inquiry today – where he is expected to be asked about the tabloid's Page 3 feature.

Platform 51's online survey of 2,013 adults this weekend found 42 per cent of women supported a ban, while 24 per cent of women were against stopping newspapers publishing topless pictures. Support for the ban was particularly high among young people aged 18 to 24 – both male and female.

Rebecca Gill, Platform 51's director of policy, communications and campaign, said in a release: "Today's figures reveal that many more women are in favour of a ban on Page 3 than against it.

"Every day we help girls and women across the country to build up their confidence and self-esteem and we see how they are affected by such photos, both in how they feel about themselves and how men see them.

"These figures are particularly timely with Dominic Mohan being recalled in front of the Leveson inquiry on this issue. We hope that the inquiry will listen to women's views."

Mohan told the inquiry last month that his paper could be a "powerful force for good". Since then, four women's groups have given evidence to the inquiry, arguing for a ban on Page 3 girls in newspapers.

The Sun has printed topless photos of women on page 3 since 1970 – launched to celebrate the paper's first anniversary under Rupert Murdoch's ownership. Former Birmingham MP Clare Short led an unsuccessful campaign to ban Page 3 girls in the mid-1980s.

Also at today's Leveson inquiry, Times editor James Harding will be recalled to give more evidence. Other appearances include the former chair of the Press Complaints Commission, Baroness Buscombe, and representatives from Twitter, Yahoo and Bing.

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).