Sun newspaper staff among eight arrested in UK police probe

[News_Editor]

Sun newspaper staff among eight arrested in UK police probe

2012-02-11 21:06:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- Five employees of The Sun newspaper were arrested by British police on Saturday as part of an ongoing investigation into inappropriate payments to police and public officials, the company said. Three officials were also arrested.

The five Sun employees were arrested at their homes in London, Kent and Essex between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time on Saturday. The Guardian newspaper identified those arrested as the Sun's deputy editor, Geoff Webster, the Sun's chief reporter, John Kay, the Sun's picture editor, John Edwards, the Sun's chief foreign correspondent, Nick Parker, and Sun reporter John Sturgis.

"All five were arrested on suspicion of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906; aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office (contrary to common law) and conspiracy in relation to both these offences," Scotland Yard said in a statement. "They are currently being questioned at various police stations in London and Kent."

News Corporation, which owns The Sun and numerous other publications, said information provided by its Management and Standards Committee (MSC) led to Saturday's arrests. "The MSC have provided the option of immediate legal representation to those arrested," the company said in a statement.

Dominic Mohan, editor of The Sun, expressed shock over the arrests but said he is determined to lead the newspaper through what he described as 'difficult times.' "I have a brilliant staff and we have a duty to serve our readers and will continue to do that," he said. "Our focus is on putting out Monday's newspaper."

Scotland Yard said Saturday's operation relates to suspected inappropriate payments to police officers and other public officials to gather news. "[it] is not about seeking journalists to reveal confidential sources in relation to information that has been obtained legitimately," detectives said in a statement.

In addition to the five Sun employees, police also arrested a 39-year-old Surrey police officer, a 39-year-old Ministry of Defense employee, and a 36-year-old serving member of the Armed Forces. "The home addresses of those arrested are currently being searched," police said.

Police were also carrying out a number of searches at the offices of News International, a division of News Corporation, in East London.

"News Corporation remains committed to ensuring that unacceptable news gathering practices by individuals in the past will not be repeated and last summer authorized the MSC to co-operate with the relevant authorities," News Corporation said in its statement. "The MSC will continue to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to protect legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, private or personal information and legal privilege."

In January, British police arrested four other current and former employees of The Sun, as well as a police officer, as part of their investigation, Operation Elveden. Officials have now widened their investigation to include public officials who are not police officers.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-11

[Suradit69]

an ongoing investigation into inappropriate payments to police and public officials,

Oh dear. Someone didn't get as much tea money as he expected.

[chrisinth]

an ongoing investigation into inappropriate payments to police and public officials,

Oh dear. Someone didn't get as much tea money as he expected.

Yep, good to see though. Its about time that the media got slapped. They think they are a law unto themselves.

[Orac]

an ongoing investigation into inappropriate payments to police and public officials,

Oh dear. Someone didn't get as much tea money as he expected.

Yep, good to see though. Its about time that the media got slapped. They think they are a law unto themselves.

The question seems to be how deep does this rabbit hole go - I cannot beleive it is just restricted to the Murdoch press.

It seems the freedom of the press has been seriously abused but hopefully Cameron and Lord Hunt will now get in place a proper system of independent regulation to replace the voluntary Press Complaints Commision staffed by their own people.

[shiatsuman]

As usual Murdoch is putting as much distance as possible from those who have had their collars felt. But the sub gutter mentality of the news international press is and always was driven by Murdoch

[chrisinth]

an ongoing investigation into inappropriate payments to police and public officials,

Oh dear. Someone didn't get as much tea money as he expected.

Yep, good to see though. Its about time that the media got slapped. They think they are a law unto themselves.

The question seems to be how deep does this rabbit hole go - I cannot beleive it is just restricted to the Murdoch press.

It seems the freedom of the press has been seriously abused but hopefully Cameron and Lord Hunt will now get in place a proper system of independent regulation to replace the voluntary Press Complaints Commision staffed by their own people.

Agreed, it should not be limited to Murdoch. The law should be equal across the board on all media and not just newspapers.

Still, he who controls the media controls the world.......................

[johna]

I would be happy to see Murdock loose control of News International, but who ever replaces him will be no better.

Newspapers owned by citizens, resident in the country would encourage more responsible journalism.

[GentlemanJim]

As usual Murdoch is putting as much distance as possible from those who have had their collars felt. But the sub gutter mentality of the news international press is and always was driven by Murdoch

Really? Seems to me that they are reacting to market forces. Those that encourage, nay demand, gutter reporting appear to be the readership. If we didn't buy newspapers with 'exclusive stories' about who is shagging who then the underhand means of reporting to uncover such juicy stories, and others (most of which have little bearing on global or national news in the grand scheme of things) would not take place as nobody would want to buy newspapers with those stories in.

[Exsexyman]

As usual Murdoch is putting as much distance as possible from those who have had their collars felt. But the sub gutter mentality of the news international press is and always was driven by Murdoch

Really? Seems to me that they are reacting to market forces. Those that encourage, nay demand, gutter reporting appear to be the readership. If we didn't buy newspapers with 'exclusive stories' about who is shagging who then the underhand means of reporting to uncover such juicy stories, and others (most of which have little bearing on global or national news in the grand scheme of things) would not take place as nobody would want to buy newspapers with those stories in.

Sadly you are quite right. What the editors and journalists of these newspapers clearly do not understand is that there is a big difference between what is in the public interest, and what interests the public.