Murdoch plans new Sunday tabloid Rupert Murdoch struck a defiant note on Friday announcing that he would launch a Sunday version of The Sun to replace the disgraced News of the World and said the nine employees who had been arrested and suspended from the tabloid would be allowed to return to work immediately. One senior Sun journalist said: "It's really raised the spirits in here. The suspensions being lifted makes it feel like he is on our side and the announcement about The Sun on Sunday shows commitment. It's great. Mr Murdoch, 80, was addressing the newsroom of the daily tabloid at the end of a week in which it had been speculated that he would have to close the paper or sell it to avoid a repeat of the scandal that brought about the end of the News of the World. Nine Sun employees were arrested on allegations of making corrupt payments to police officers. "The Sun is a part of me and one of my proudest achievements, The Sun occupies a unique and important position within News Corp," he told staff in the newsroom. We will build on The Sun's proud heritage by launching The Sun on Sunday very soon. Mr Murdoch said he supported the work of the management and standards committee which News Corp set up to ensure a proper investigation into the phone-hacking scandal. With regard to the MSC investigation we will turn over every piece of evidence we find. Not just because we are obliged but because it is the right thing to do," he said. The MSC has been fiercely attacked by Sun staff because the arrests of nine Sun journalists were directly attributable to expense claims and other documents handed over by the committee to Scotland Yard. 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," Mr Murdoch said. We are doing everything we can to assist those who were arrested. All suspensions are hereby lifted until or whether charged and they are welcome to return to work. News Corp will cover their legal expenses. Everybody is innocent unless proved otherwise. His announcement on the launch of The Sun on Sunday provided no date and comes only days after senior journalists at Wapping said the title would be delayed because of the deepening public scandal. Advertisers had remained loyal to The Sun despite the reports of arrested journalists and the fate of the News of the World. Five Sun journalists, including the deputy editor, picture editor and chief reporter, were held by the police on Saturday on suspicion of making improper payments to police and public officials. Mr Murdoch flew in on Thursday night in the face of anger among journalists at the daily title he has owned since 1969.