Very unwise complaints by hacks in this ongoing scandal; quite right sources must be protected; quite wrong criminal acts should be covered up; of course, the problem is that in my days on The Sun, tips from cops were routine and payments to them/for them, whilst illegal, were regarded as speeding. 35mph in a 30mph zone.

Morality has changed. Laws have changed.

I suffered exactly because of that; crimes in my youth are no longer crimes. Being gay no longer gets the death sentence (except in Iran and some other "enlightened" countries).

The real problem was when cunning police or media saw "a good story" that would boost their careers, lives, bank balances - and bent or twisted the truth to get cash - the line was crossed.

Accountability is coming, however. My problem is that the accountability may involve some people who deserve it less than the cunning criminals above them.

And now he launches the Sunday Sun - yet still says clearly that any hacks who broke the law will NOT be supported.

Interesting times.

sounds a little like bravado but that's the Murdoch way.

I would say plans for the SOS were there at least 2 years ago and senior management knew about the scandals to come.

The catch here is if a SOS looks like the NoTW but just with a different title, I reckon people will not buy it. But it needs that NoTW wow factor..unless they have come up with a completely new and exciting look which would be good.

it's going to get worse..remember..it's a Murdoch tactic..say anything necessary at the time. Soothe the nerves of the rankled hacks with flannel...he's brilliant at it.

He's seduced a hundred bankers this way and pulled the empire back from the brink of collapse many times. A business bucaneer..the best there is.

Tits on page three?