Guardian News & Media's website recorded a slight monthly dip from 27.3 million unique users in April, to 27.1 million in May.
But Guardian.co.uk's coverage of national and international news, in addition to regular blogs about popular TV programmes, including the final of The Apprentice, was enough to give it a 48% lift in unique users year on year, and ensure it remained the country's most visited newspaper site.
Emily Bell, director of Digital Content at GNM, said she was "delighted" to have retained the lead, "particularly in the light of the MPs expenses story".
Last month's national news agenda was set by The Daily Telegraph and its stories on MPs' expenses. Despite sparking public anger since the first story broke on 8 May, its website attracted a relatively modest 25.2 million unique users in May, up from 23.8 million unique users in April, but still some way short of March's high of 27.7 million.
Edward Roussel, digital editor of Telegraph Media Group, celebrated the 5.7% monthly increase, and 36% uplift year on year, claiming "Our MPs' expenses coverage brought new audiences to our website, helping to extend the Telegraph brand in the UK and across the world."
He added: "We have continued to lead coverage of the story in June, most recently with our exclusive online database covering all 646 MPs.'"
Elsewhere, Rebekah Wade, editor of The Sun and News International's incoming chief executive, leaves her current role on a high, with Sun.co.uk leapfrogging its quality sibling Times Online, attracting 22.9 million unique users in May, compared to 20.4 million in April.
Associated Newspaper's MailOnline remains the third most-visited newspaper site, attracting 24.6 million unique users in May - a 6.4% increase from April.
While the Independent News & Media's website increased by 48% year on year, the site still saw an 8% monthly decline, attracting 9.5 million unique users in May.
Mirror Group's website Mirror.co.uk held last month's uplift, attracting 8.6 million unique users for the month of May up by 1% from April, achieving the sector's biggest yearly growth for the second month running, with an 80% increase year on year.
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