5 Arrests in Tabloid Probe, More Possible

(Posted on 11/02/12)

The sun is definitely not shining on The Sun these days. Charges are pending and arrests were made of at least five "most senior" journalists. The deputy editor is one of those arrested and now, Rupert Murdoch is said to have returned to London to handle the crisis, dubbed Operation Elveden, in person.

The names have been released and those arrested this week include Geoff Webster, who is the deputy editor, image editor John Edwards, senior reporter John Kay, chief foreign correspondent Nick Parker and one more reporter, John Sturgis.

The charges are believed to include paying bribes to law enforcement and other public officials, suspicion of corruption, aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office, and conspiracy The employees are now being questioned at police stations in London and Kent.

At least one Surrey police officer as well as a Ministry of Defence employee were also arrested on Saturday.

News International has endured catastrophic charges in the past 18 months, including closing News of the World following the illegal behaviors of several journalists, including hacking into cell phones of celebrities and a missing child.

For now, the presser from News Corporation says it is aware of the arrests and is cooperating with the investigation. It also said it is offering "immediate legal representation" to the arrested employees.

"News Corporation remains committed to ensuring...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," the press release read. It also reiterates its commitment to taking appropriate steps to "protect legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, private or personal information and legal privilege."

Reports are that officers who define the Operation Elveden team made the arrests between 6am and 8am Saturday and say it's part of the investigation into allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials. Operation Elveden was put into place last July when the scandal became front page news and the severity of it was being uncovered.

Solicitors in the UK say search warrants are likely to be carried out over the weekend, if they haven't been served already.