Also, in that same article you linked where the former News of the World reporter Graham Johnson recounts his suspicions, Phil Hall, the former editor denies being coerced by Murdoch into not publishing the story:

> I can vaguely remember that story. I do remember that Roger Insall worked on it and I remember it was not published. My only recollection is that the only reason we wouldn't publish it was because of legal reasons. He said Mr Murdoch never asked him to spike stories. News International, publisher of the NOTW, made no comment.

This does not really lend credibility to the rumours bandied about by a tabloid hack.