New Idea said in a statement that it wasn't party to the embargo that had been agreed to earlier by major British news outlets.

"We did not knowingly breach any embargo and were not party to any agreement for a media blackout on the story," the apology stated.

The statement went on to express regret for a "serious lapse of judgment" in running the story.

The Australian said Monday that New Idea actually broke the news in January, several weeks before its article was picked up by other news organizations.