British journalists arrested in bribery scandal

  • By DAVID STRINGER

  • Posted: Sunday, February 12, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A


LONDON -- Britain's biggest-selling newspaper was fighting to contain the damage after five employees at The Sun tabloid were arrested Saturday in an inquiry into the alleged payment of bribes to police and other officials.


The Sun's deputy editor Geoff Webster, picture editor John Edwards, chief reporter John Kay, chief foreign correspondent Nick Parker and reporter John Sturgis were those arrested, News International CEO Tom Mockridge said in a message emailed to staff.


Executives moved quickly to reject claims that Murdoch could decide to close down the newspaper. In July, he shuttered the 168-year-old News of The World tabloid amid public outrage when the extent of its phone hacking of celebrities, public figures and crime victims was exposed.


A 39-year-old female employee at Britain's defense ministry, a 36-year-old male member of the armed forces and a 39-year-old serving police officer with Surrey Police, were also arrested Saturday, police said. All eight suspects were later released on bail.


The development follows the arrest of four current and former journalists at The Sun newspaper last month in connection with the same bribery inquiry.


Sun editor Dominic Mohan expressed his alarm at the arrests of newspaper employees, but insisted the newspaper would continue its work.


Police said a total of 21 people have now been arrested in their bribery probe -- including three police officers -- though none has yet been charged. They include Rebekah Brooks, former chief executive of Murdoch's News International; ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson -- who is also Prime Minister David Cameron's former communications chief; and journalists from both the News of the World and The Sun.


Investigators said the inquiry -- which is running in parallel to investigations into phone hacking and alleged email hacking -- has now widened its scope. It was initially focused on whether reporters had illegally paid police officers for information, but will now examine whether other public officials were also targeted.


News Corp. confirmed that it had supplied the police with information, but insisted it would "continue to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to protect legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, private or personal information and legal privilege."


The five journalists from The Sun -- aged between 45 and 68 -- were questioned on suspicion of offenses of corruption and aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office. Police said the three public servants were questioned on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and corruption offenses.


Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Kirkby, of Surrey Police, confirmed the police officer being questioned was a member of his force. Surrey Police was responsible for the investigation into missing 13-year-old girl Milly Dowler, who was later found murdered. A wave of public revulsion over the disclosure that reporters had intercepted her voicemails in 2002 led Murdoch to close down the News of The World.


Britain's defense ministry declined to comment on the arrest of the defense official.

Notice about comments: The Eagle is proud to offer our users enhanced commenting features. You can now build user‐to‐user connections, follow friend's recent posts, add an avatar that fits your personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again and if you've never posted start now by signing up!