He prioritised shocking stories and printed explicit details of Diana Dors and Christine Keeler's lives.
He often fell into conflict with the Press Council, particularly after paying David Smith, chief prosecution witness in the Moors murders case, on condition that the suspects were convicted.
[2] In common with the Carr family, Somerfield vociferously opposed Robert Maxwell's attempt to take over the News of the World[3] and wrote a front-page leading article in October 1968 on the subject,[4] which led to extensive criticism that his attitude was xenophobic.
[3] He objected to Rupert Murdoch's eventual purchase of a majority of the title's stock from the Carrs a few months later.
Sir Philip Grey Egerton, 9th Baronet, and of Josias Du Pre, a director of the East India Company and Governor of Madras from 1770 to 1773.