In an email to staff just after he arrived at News International’s HQ in Wapping on Friday, he said: “We will build on the Sun’s proud heritage by launching the Sun on Sunday very soon.”
He added: “We’re doing everything we can to assist those who are arrested. All suspensions are hereby lifted until or whether charged and they are welcome to return to work. Everyone is innocent until proven otherwise.
“We will obey the law. Illegal activity simply cannot and will not be tolerated at any of our publications.
He also confirmed that he will be staying in London for a several weeks to show his “unwavering support”.
He said he wanted the Sun on Sunday to become one of the most widely read newspapers in the world, saying that having a successful paper would be the best response to News International critics.
But, alongside this, he maintained his support for News Corporation’s Management and Standards Committee (MSC).
The MSC is trawling through 330 million emails and passing information to Scotland Yard.
The investigaton into briberty of public officials by The Sun is focused on “suspected criminality over a sustained period of time” involving tens of thousands of pounds.
Ten sun journalists have been arrested and bailed over alleged illegal payments to public officials – nine of them in raids taking place on their homes over the last month.
It has been reported that some of the ten arrested Sun journalists will return to work, but others are unsure whether to take up Murdoch’s invitation to return to News Corporation on Monday.
Murdoch said: “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.
“We will obey the law. Illegal activities simply cannot and will not be tolerated – at any of our publications. Our board of directors, our management team and I take these issues very seriously.”
One Wapping source said of the morale-boosting email: “This is a proper fightback. Even if there are other arrests, this is a ‘Fuck
you, here we are, we are carrying on despite everything.’
“Everyone’s digesting it. The thing that stands out is the suspensions have been lifted and that people are innocent till proven guilty. That’s a very strong message and a bit of a shot across the bows of the MSC.”
Murdoch and his son Lachlan toured the Sun newsroom this afternoon to greet journalists.
One responded, saying: “It’ll take more than a handshake and we’re not out of the woods yet but it’s a start.”
