- Paper's deputy editor, picture editor, former chief reporter and chief foreign correspondent arrested and bailed by police
- Twenty officers raid ONE of the men's homes as News International seeks assurances over independence of 171 police assigned to investigate
- Arrests come just two weeks after four of paper's most senior staff were also held on corruption allegations
- Current Sun editor 'shocked' by latest wave of arrests
- Rupert Murdoch forced will fly in to reassure staff he plans to continue owning and publishing the Sun
- Reporters at the paper said to be 'stunned' by arrests, with 'unusual' atmosphere in Sun newsroom today
Last updated at 2:26 PM on 12th February 2012
The future of The Sun remained uncertain today as Rupert Murdoch prepared to fly into London to reassure staff he would not sell the paper in the wake of arrests made this weekend.
Five of The Sun's most senior journalists, including the paper's joint deputy editor, were arrested yesterday over alleged illegal payments to police officers and other officials.
News Corporation chairman Mr Murdoch is expected to visit staff in London towards the end of the week to deal with the growing crisis at Britain's biggest-selling newspaper.
For the first time, yesterday's arrests have broadened beyond payments to police.
The Sun's joint deputy editor Geoff Webster along with four other senior journalists has been questioned
Among those detained after a series of dawn raids at home addresses are an Army officer and his wife, also employed by the Ministry of Defence, as well as a 39-year-old officer serving with Surrey Police.
The development suggests that Scotland Yard's Operation Elveden, set up to investigate illegal payments to police officers, is now focusing on a wider range of alleged illegal activity.
Yesterday's raids, in which 20 police officers in five cars arrived at one journalist's home, comes just two weeks after four other Sun journalists and a serving Metropolitan police officer were arrested over alleged illegal police payments.
One journalist working at the paper today described the atmosphere in the newsroom as 'unusual', while others were said to be 'stunned' by the arrests.
A Met Police spokesperson today confirmed all eight have been bailed to dates in March and May.
NEWS INTERNATIONAL'S ATTEMPT TO REASSURE STAFF IN MEMO
Dear colleagues,
I am very saddened that a further five colleagues from The Sun have been arrested this morning by the Police. It has already been widely reported the individuals involved are Geoff Webster, John Edwards, John Kay, John Sturgis and Nick Parker.
This news is difficult for everyone on The Sun and particularly for those of you who work closely with those involved.
Some of the individuals arrested have been instrumental in breaking important stories about public bodies, for example the scandal of our under resourced troops in Iraq.
We must take care not to pre-judge the outcome of the police interviews. It is vitally important for all those involved that proper due process should take its course. The company has provided legal support to those interviewed today.
I remind you that News Corporation has empowered an independent body, the MSC, to cooperate fully with the Police. The MSC has reiterated to me that this is being carried out with regard to the protection of legitimate journalistic sources.
In light of these further developments, I have today written to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to seek clarification from them about the process of independent oversight of the Police investigation.
I understand the pressure many of you are under and have the greatest admiration for everyone's continued professionalism.
The Sun has a proud history of delivering ground-breaking journalism. You should know that I have had a personal assurance today from Rupert Murdoch about his total commitment to continue to own and publish The Sun newspaper.
Today we are facing our greatest challenge. Dominic is committed to leading the paper through this difficult period and, while today's arrests are shocking, we need to support him and his team to serve the loyal readers of The Sun and produce a great paper for Monday.
Thank you
All the arrests are understood to be based on information handed to the Metropolitan Police by News Corporation's Management and Standards Committee (MSC), set up in July last year to oversee the company's response to the police investigation into phone hacking and other alleged illegal practices.
The journalists arrested are Geoff Webster, joint deputy editor; John Kay, chief reporter who joined the title in 1974 and was a personal lunch guest of Mr Murdoch a few years ago; Nick Parker, chief foreign correspondent; John Edwards, picture editor; and John Sturgis, deputy news editor.
Under the strict terms of their bail conditions none of the suspects is allowed to communicate with each other, which will make it almost impossible for them to carry out their jobs should they return to work. However, the previous four journalists arrested have since been suspended from work. Last night six of the eight suspects were released on bail without charge.
Last night Sun editor Dominic Mohan issued a statement saying: 'I'm as shocked as anyone by the arrests but am determined to lead The Sun through these difficult times. I have a brilliant staff and we have a duty to serve our readers and will continue to do that. Our focus is on putting out Monday's newspaper.'
It is understood that Sun journalists have been contacted by the paper to ask them to come to work early today to help bring out tomorrow's edition.
A statement from News Corporation, parent company of News International which owns The Sun and The Times, said: 'News Corporation remains committed to ensuring that unacceptable news-gathering practices by individuals in the past will not be repeated and last summer authorised the MSC to co-operate with the relevant authorities?.?.?.?News Corporation maintains its total support to the ongoing work of the MSC and is committed to making certain that legitimate journalism is vigorously pursued in both the public interest and in full compliance with the law.'
In an internal email to staff, News International chief executive Tom Mockridge said the paper faced its 'greatest challenge'. He also confirmed the names of the Sun journalists arrested and made it clear the company would pay for their legal representation.
He wrote: 'This news is difficult for everyone on The Sun and particularly for those of you who work closely with those involved?.?.?.?I understand the pressure many of you are under and have the greatest admiration for everyone's continued professionalism. The Sun has a proud history of delivering groundbreaking journalism. You should know that I have had a personal assurance today from Rupert Murdoch about his total commitment to continue to own and publish The Sun newspaper.'
He added: 'Today we are facing our greatest challenge. Dominic is committed to leading the paper through this difficult period and, while today's arrests are shocking, we need to support him and his team to serve the loyal readers of The Sun and produce a great paper for Monday.'
Held: Chief foreign correspondent Nick Parker (left) and chief reporter John Kay (right) are two of the Sun journalists arrested today
Arrested: Sun reporter John Sturgis (left) and the paper's picture editor John Edwards (right) are also being questioned by police
Investigation: A detective leaves the home of Mike Sullivan, the Sun crime editor, with paperwork and other potential evidence last month after four of the paper's journalists were arrested
He also wrote: 'I have today written to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to seek clarification from them about the process of independent oversight of the police investigation.'
It is understood that he wants to ensure that the IPCC takes charge of the investigation so that the Metropolitan Police are not left to investigate its own officers.
The National Union of Journalists last night condemned the latest arrests and suggested that there was now a 'witch-hunt'. General secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: 'Journalists are reeling at seeing five more of their colleagues thrown to the wolves in what many sense to be a witch-hunt. They are furious at what they see as a monumental betrayal on the part of News International.' The union said the reputation of those arrested will 'inevitably' be damaged.
She added: 'Once again, Rupert Murdoch is trying to pin the blame on individual journalists, hoping that a few scalps will salvage his corporate reputation.'
Tim Gopsill, of the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, said: 'If these allegations are proved, then it is much more serious that a police officer has been taking money than a journalist has been paying a police officer for information.
'The job of the journalist is to gather information and sometimes that will involve paying money where there is a public interest. But the job of the police officer is to uphold the law and make sure no one breaks it. That's why there should be more concentration on the alleged role of the police.'
A newspaper source said that the latest arrests have angered Sun staff, who believe that the company's MSC has hung its own journalists out to dry.
A total of 30 journalists, five public officials and one private investigator have been arrested by police investigating illegal payments, phone hacking and computer hacking under the three operations, Elveden, Weeting and Tuleta. A total of 171 police officers have been assigned to these investigations – 61 to Elveden, 90 to Weeting and 20 to Tuleta.
The numbers represent a massive escalation in police resources diverted to investigating journalism malpractice. In February last year there were just 45 police involved in phone-hacking enquiries and none working on illegal payments and computer hacking.
A TIMELINE OF THE PHONE-HACKING INQUIRY SINCE THE FIRST ARREST IN 2007
The current editor of The Sun, Dominic Mohan, said he was 'as shocked as anybody' by the arrests
2007: January 26 - The News of the World's royal editor, Clive Goodman, is jailed for four months and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire receives a six-month sentence after they admit intercepting voicemail messages on royal aides' phones. The paper's editor, Andy Coulson, resigns,
2009: July 9 - The Guardian reports that the News of the World's publisher has paid over 1 million to settle cases that threatened to reveal evidence of its journalists' alleged involvement in phone hacking.
Scotland Yard says it will not be carrying out a new investigation into the allegations, but the Crown Prosecution Service announces a review of material provided by the police in 2006.
2010: February 24 - A Culture, Media and Sport Committee report finds no evidence that Mr Coulson knew phone hacking was taking place at the News of the World, but says it is 'inconceivable' that no-one apart from Goodman was aware of it.
May 11 - Mr Coulson becomes head of the new coalition Government's media operation after Mr Cameron enters 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister.
September 5 - The New York Times publishes an article which claims Mr Coulson knew his staff were carrying out illegal phone hacking. The story also raises questions about how vigorously Scotland Yard pursued the case.
2011: January 21 - Mr Coulson announces he is standing down as Downing Street communications chief, saying the claims about illegal eavesdropping under his editorship was making his job impossible.
January 26 - Scotland Yard launches a fresh inquiry into the phone hacking controversy, called Operation Weeting, after receiving 'significant new information' from News International, which publishes the News of the World.
April 8 - News International admits liability and apologises "unreservedly" to a number of public figures whose phones were hacked.
July 4 - The Guardian reports that the News of the World hacked the mobile phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler after she went missing in 2002.
July 6 - Mr Cameron announces a public inquiry into the scandal. Rupert Murdoch describes the phone hacking allegations as 'deplorable and unacceptable' but backs Rebekah Brooks to continue as News International chief executive.
July 7 - News International chairman James Murdoch announces he is closing the News of the World.
Probe: Officials at News International (pictured) confirmed five of those arrested are employees of The Sun newspaper
July 8 - Mr Coulson is arrested on suspicion of phone hacking and corruption and held for questioning before being released on bail.
July 14 - Former News of the World executive editor Neil Wallis is arrested on suspicion of phone hacking, putting Scotland Yard under pressure to explain why it employed him as a PR consultant in 2009-10.
July 15 - Mrs Brooks resigns as chief executive of News International and is arrested two days later on suspicion of phone hacking before being bailed.
July 18 - Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner John Yates stands down following criticism of his handling of a review of the initial probe into phone hacking at the News of the World.
Former News of the World journalist and phone-hacking whistle-blower Sean Hoare is found dead at his home in Watford, Hertfordshire.
July 19 - Rupert and James Murdoch, along with Mrs Brooks, give evidence to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
September 6 - The News of the World's former editor Colin Myler and ex-legal manager Tom Crone tell the Culture, Media and Sport Committee they informed James Murdoch in 2008 about an email that proved hacking went beyond a single 'rogue reporter' on the News of the World. Mr Murdoch denies their claim.
November 8 - The BBC reports that the News of the World paid private detective Derek Webb to spy on Prince William, the parents of Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe and a host of other high-profile individuals.
November 14 - The Leveson Inquiry, sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, starts hearing evidence about the culture, practice and ethics of the British press.
December 12 - A lawyer for Scotland Yard tells the Leveson Inquiry it is 'unlikely' that News International journalists erased messages from Milly Dowler's phone three days after she went missing in 2002, contrary to the Guardian's original report in July.
2012: January 6 - Mrs Brooks's former personal assistant, Cheryl Carter, is arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice and questioned before being released on bail.
January 19 - The High Court hears that dozens of celebrities and politicians, including Jude Law and Lord Prescott, have now settled damages claims over the News of the World phone hacking scandal.
January 23 - A report reveals a News of the World journalist told police in April 2002 that they got Milly Dowler's mobile phone number and pin from other schoolchildren.
January 26 - Former defence secretary Liam Fox said attempts were made to hack his phone, though not while he was a government minister, and says he has met with officers from Scotland Yard's hacking inquiry Operation Weeting
Probe: The arrest of five Sun journalists comes just two weeks after four of its most senior staff were held on corruption allegations
January 28 - Four former and current Sun journalists and a serving Metropolitan Police officer are arrested over alleged illegal police payments. Senior Sun employees Chris Pharo, 42, and Mike Sullivan along with former executives Fergus Shanahan, 57, and Graham Dudman, are detained by officers from Operation Elveden. They are later bailed.
February 2 - Labour MP Tom Watson says he has received a letter from Scotland Yard informing him that police are investigating allegations of email hacking at The Times, after the newspaper admitted one of its reporters tried to access a private account. The Times named Lancashire detective Richard Horton as the author of the award-winning NightJack blog in June 2009 after the High Court refused to grant him anonymity. Editor James Harding later told the Leveson Inquiry that one of his reporters - named as Patrick Foster - was issued with a formal written warning for professional misconduct for gaining unauthorised access to Mr Horton's email account.
February 7 - The Metropolitan Police force admits at the High Court that it failed to warn victims and potential victims of phone hacking at the time of its original investigation into the scandal.
February 8 - Steve Coogan and Paul Gascoigne are among 15 phone-hacking damages claims which settle close to trial. The payments mean 54 of the original 60 cases have been settled. Five more are due to be heard later, while singer Charlotte Church and her parents have refused to settle, paving the way for a landmark trial on February 27.
February 11 - Eight people, including five employees from The Sun, a serving member of the Armed Forces, a Ministry of Defence employee and a Surrey Police officer, are arrested in connection with the probe into inappropriate payments to police and public officials.
Police confirm Operation Elveden has widened to include the investigation of evidence uncovered in relation to suspected corruption involving public officials who are not police officers.
- Press Association
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