Williams for 'News of the World'

CRIME JOURNALIST Paul Williams has left the Sunday World  to become crime editor of its rival the News of the World.

Williams had reported on gangland crime for the Sunday Worldfor some 23 years and said he was leaving with a heavy heart. "I joined the paper in February 1987 and I love it and all the people I worked with there. My colleagues were like a family to me."

He said he had received “a substantial offer” and was looking forward to a new challenge. He declined to comment on rumours that he would receive a salary of €250,000 following the move.

Williams is the author of a number of books such as Evil Empire, The General, Crime Wars, The Untouchables, Ganglandand Crime Lords.

Sources last night said there may be a conflict between the newspapers over his move, with Williams’s former employer believed to be unhappy about the length of his period of notice.