MUMBAI: Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers from Operation Elveden in the UK have arrested four current and former employees from The Sun newspaper.

Searches have also taken place at the homes and offices of those arrested.

News Corp. commissioned the Management and Standards Committee (MSC) to undertake a review of all News International titles, regardless of cost, and to proactively co-operate with law enforcement and other authorities if potentially relevant information arose at those titles.

As a result of that review, which is ongoing, the MSC provided information to the Elveden investigation which led to today?s arrests.

No comment can be made on the nature of that information to avoid prejudicing the investigation and the rights of individuals.

The MSC gave the MPS every assistance during the searches of News International premises while ensuring that all appropriate steps were taken to protect legal and journalistic privilege. It also provided the option of immediate legal representation to those arrested.

News Corp. said it will continue to give its total support to the continued work of the MSC and to ensure that legitimate journalism is vigorously pursued in both the public interest and in full compliance with the law.

The MSC was established by News Corp. in July 2011 to take
responsibility for all matters in relation to phone hacking at the News of the World, payments to the police and all other related issues at News International.

The MSC structure is independent and autonomous from News International. It is authorised to conduct internal investigations to fulfil its responsibilities in relation to News International?s papers. It has powers to direct News International staff to co-operate fully with all external and internal investigations, and to preserve, obtain and disclose appropriate documents.

These internal investigations are being conducted by the law firm Linklaters, who are the strategic legal advisers to the MSC.