Today, Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the paper, cleared senior Sun journalists arrested for allegedly paying police for information to return to work.
He also announced in a series of surprising updates that a Sunday edition of The Sun newspaper will be launched ‘very soon’.
After arriving for urgent talks last night, the media mogul sent an emotional email to staff, expressing his intention to remain in London to provide them with his ‘unwavering support’.
The 80-year-old, who has owned The Sun for 43 years, described the recent arrests of nine senior journalists at Britain’s top-selling paper as a significant source of ‘great pain’, asserting: ‘The paper is part of me and is one of our proudest achievements.’
While no date has been set for the first issue of The Sun on Sunday, Mr Murdoch stated it would serve as ‘the best answer to our critics’.
Recently, the tabloid has been rocked by the arrests of most of the publication’s senior management on suspicion of corrupt practices involving payoffs to police and other officials for information.
Five of these individuals, including the Deputy Editor, were taken into custody following dawn raids at their residences over the weekend.
Following the arrests, all nine were placed on immediate suspension with full pay. However, today, Mr Murdoch committed to ‘do everything to assist’ them, including covering their legal expenses.
He declared they would be allowed to work until any formal charges were brought against them.
Stating, ‘Everyone is innocent unless proven otherwise,’ he emphasized their presumption of innocence.
Despite the offer, it remains uncertain whether all nine journalists will return, as The Times reported some might be evaluating their alternatives.
A source from The Sun conveyed to The Times: ‘The invitation is being treated with some dubiety. They feel bruised.’
After receiving Mr Murdoch’s email, the atmosphere within the paper’s offices reportedly ‘lifted visibly’.
Nonetheless, he remained unapologetic amid a rising rebellion after it became known that an internal investigation unit he established last year – the Management and Standards Committee – had shared details of journalists’ confidential sources with the police.
‘IT’S A PART OF ME’: MURDOCH PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR THE SUN
Dear Colleagues:
For 43 years, I’ve collaborated with you to transform The Sun into one of the world’s premier newspapers. It is part of me and represents one of our greatest achievements. The Sun holds a significant and unique position within News Corporation.
I hold immense respect for our legacy, your outstanding journalism, and, most importantly, you, the talented individuals who work relentlessly every day to provide our readers with a reputable news source.
I have confidence in the exceptional journalists here and remain appreciative of your remarkable efforts and the stories you reveal to inform and safeguard the public. This is especially true over the last three weeks.
My ongoing admiration makes this circumstance a source of considerable pain for me, as I know it is for all of you.
We will adhere to the law. Illegal actions simply cannot and will not be tolerated across any of our publications. Our Board of Directors, management, and I are very serious about these matters.
Our independently chaired Management & Standards Committee, operating independently of News International, has been directed to cooperate with the police. We will provide every piece of evidence we discover.We are not acting merely out of obligation; rather, it is simply the right course of action to take.
To aid those who have been arrested, we are lifting all suspensions until charges are made, and we invite them to return to work. News Corporation will assume responsibility for their legal costs. Until proven otherwise, everyone remains innocent.
Last summer, I pledged to do everything within my power to uncover the root of our issues and to transform this Company into a model of ethical journalism for Fleet Street. We will persist in taking all necessary measures to safeguard legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, which are crucial for each of you in performing your jobs. However, we cannot defend individuals who have compensated public officials.
I believe we can adhere to these commitments while still delivering exemplary journalism. We will soon launch The Sun on Sunday, honoring the proud legacy of The Sun. Our responsibility is to broaden the reach of one of the most widely read newspapers globally and connect with a larger audience than ever before.
The best response to our critics is to maintain a successful publication. My resolve to ensure that The Sun champions its readers and stands firm in its beliefs has never been stronger. For the upcoming weeks, I will remain in London to provide you with my steadfast support.
I have full confidence that we will navigate this situation together and emerge more resilient.
Thank you, Rupert Murdoch
Reports indicate that several journalists are considering a legal challenge against the paper, showing interest in hiring Geoffrey Robertson QC, who recently suggested in a column for The Times that the MSC’s recent actions have violated their human rights.
On Tuesday, news broke that the MSC, established by Mr. Murdoch in July following the phone hacking scandal and operating independently from his newspaper group, had revealed the identities of sources to the police.
This action was justified on the basis that the sources did not merit protection due to evidence suggesting that The Sun or the News of the World 
may have compensated them for information.
Mr. Murdoch endorsed that position today.
He stated: “Last summer, I made a commitment to do all I could to uncover the issues we face and to position this company as a leader in ethical journalism on Fleet Street.”
“We will keep ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to protect legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, which are vital for you to fulfill your roles. Yet, we cannot protect those who have paid public officials.”
The announcement of a Sunday tabloid generated significant backlash, with a Labour MP condemning it as ‘massively premature.’
Labour MP Chris Bryant, a frequent critic of News International regarding the phone hacking controversy, labeled the move to lift suspensions on all arrested employees as the ‘most cynical hypocrisy.’
He remarked that while News International has advocated for the suspension of public officials charged with criminal offenses, it seemingly does not impose the same standard on its employees.
Mr. Bryant noted: “I find it massively premature; one would expect the Murdoch empire to wait until the Leveson inquiry is concluded and the police along with prosecuting entities finish their investigations.”
‘He (Mr. Murdoch) is said to be “draining the swamp,” and yet the swamp is meant…Another newspaper is set to be produced.
Today, Mr. Murdoch visited the newspaper’s newsroom. However, many remained outraged by the treatment their colleagues received from former Daily Telegraph editor Will Lewis, who currently leads the MSC.
Indicating the severity of strained relations, one senior staff member referred to him as the ‘chief witch hunter’ and expressed that there would be calls for his dismissal.
The MSC claims to have found evidence suggesting ‘serious suspected criminality over a sustained period’ involving some public officials providing The Sun with information, rejecting the notion from some reporters that the investigation centered around ‘trivial’ matters, like £50 lunches with sources.
For several months, the MSC has contributed information to Operation Elveden, the police inquiry into corrupt payments.
A total of 21 individuals have been detained. Last weekend, five Sun staff members were arrested: deputy editor Geoff Webster, chief reporter John Kay, picture editor John Edwards, deputy news editor John Sturgis, and chief foreign correspondent Nick Parker.
In dawn raids, authorities also detained a 39-year-old employee from the Ministry of Defence and a 36-year-old Armed Forces member.
This past January, police held senior members of The Sun’s newsroom, who were later released on bail.
Those detained included head of news Chris Pharo, executive editor Fergus Shanahan, crime editor Mike Sullivan, former managing editor Graham Dudman, and a 29-year-old police officer.
In July of the previous year, former News International chief executive and ex-Sun editor Rebekah Brooks was interrogated by detectives in connection with Operation Elveden, as well as those affiliated with Operation Weeting, which investigates alleged phone hacking by journalists.
In November, longtime journalist Jamie Pyatt was arrested due to allegations concerning corrupt payments to police officers.
The arrests were a result of the sudden closure of the News of the World by News International in July last year in response to shocking phone hacking accusations.
At that point, the 168-year-old publication was Britain’s best-selling newspaper, and the termination of this profitable venture has left News International executives on the lookout for a replacement, with the Sun on Sunday being a highly anticipated contender.
A source informed the Guardian that evidence gathered from reviewing 300 million internal News International emails and other documents indicated ‘regular cash payments totaling tens of thousands of pounds annually for several years to public officials, some of whom were essentially on retainer to offer information’ to The Sun. ‘In total, the sum involved amounts to six figures,’ the source noted.
Recent revelations regarding the MSC’s actions arise amidst increasing worries among journalists spanning Mr. Murdoch’s three News International outlets about the safety of their sources.
The FT reports that the NUJ has sought legal counsel regarding the potential for the MSC to disclose information and identify sources.
The union stated that it has been approached by Sun journalists and civil servants, concerned about being revealed as whistleblowers.
A spokesman commented: ‘We are taking a serious look at the potential legal actions regarding the activities of the Management and Standards Committee.’
‘We support Geoffrey Robertson’s position that the committee has conveniently overlooked the relevant section of the Human Rights Act and will pursue the case on those grounds.’
by Robbo Green
