MEDIA MAGNATE Rupert Murdoch has indicated he will stay in London for weeks in order to support battered News International staff.
However, he is not expected to be called to appear before the Leveson inquiry into British press standards.
Mr Murdoch took control of the agenda by declaring his intention to launch a new Sunday title, the Sun on Sunday, to replace the News of the World, which closed last July as a result of the phone hacking scandal.
Just as significantly for battered morale at the Sun, Mr Murdoch announced that suspensions imposed on 10 of its journalists following their arrest in recent weeks were to be lifted immediately.
"I am staying with you all in London for the next several weeks to give you my unwavering support," he told News International staff in an email, before touring the Sun's newsroom in the company of royal photographer Arthur Edwards, whose son John was one of those arrested.
His statement was carefully couched, offering support to a despondent staff while also making clear that a special body set up to investigate malpractices at News International would be left to do its work unhindered.
Currently, this body is sifting through 300 million emails, but the National Union of Journalists is now already in talks with senior lawyers to see if a class action can be taken to prevent the disclosure of journalists’ contacts.
“We will turn over every piece of evidence we find – not just because we are obligated to but because it is the right thing to do,” Mr Murdoch said, adding later, “We will obey the law. Illegal activities simply cannot and will not be tolerated – at any of our publications.”
The 81-year-old publisher went on: “We will continue to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to protect legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, which I know are essential for all of you to do your jobs.
“But we cannot protect people who have paid public officials.”
Morale in the publishing group, which includes the London Timesand the Sunday Times, has been improved by Mr Murdoch's visit, but doubts remain over whether the News Corporation holding company will stay committed in the longer term to its UK newspaper arm if bad publicity continues unchecked.
Senior staff, meanwhile, speculated about the significance of the absence yesterday of Mr Murdoch’s son, James, during the visit to the Wapping headquarters. His place was taken by his younger brother, Lachlann.
James oversees the London newspaper business as News Corp deputy chief operating officer. Senior News International sources played down the significance of his absence yesterday.
The launch of a Sunday title using the Sun's brand, for which no date has been announced, has every prospect of success, since much of the News of the World's circulation simply disappeared after the tabloid was closed.
The Mail on Sunday, despite spending millions of pounds, was unable to attract significant numbers.