Royal editor for the Sun Duncan Larcombe tells the Leveson inquiry there were rumours that the 'dark arts' were not just used by the News of the World but says the rumours were not aimed at the Sun
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The Sun's royal editor Duncan Larcombe told the Leveson inquiry he was "massively surprised" by the allegations levelled at the News of the World and said he had not heard any rumours of illegal activity taking place at his own title.
Appearing before the inquiry today, Larcombe said there had been rumours that "dark arts", not phone hacking, were not limited to the News of the World, but said "there were no rumours about it happening at the Sun".
In reference to his written statement - published online by the inquiry - Larcombe was asked about a staff briefing made after the investigation which outlined News International's "zero tolerance approach to law breaking".
"I remember us all being told that if any of us act in that way then we'll be out the door," he added.
In his written evidence Larcombe also goes on to describe "a number of new measures" said to have been introduced "in recent weeks" by News International, to demonstrate to staff that illegal activity is "unacceptable".
"All editorial staff have been briefed by the new chief executive, Tom Mockridge, on what he expects from his team and reminded that phone hacking and other illegal activities are totally unacceptable.
"We have also been briefed on the new Bribery Act end given a copy of NI's payments policy document which, as I noted above, we all had to sign for.
"In addition, a 24-hour phone line has been set up for NI staff to report any allegations of illegal activity by colleagues and an independent internal investigation into the legal aspects of joumalistic practices across all NI titles is underway."
In his written evidence he goes on to say that following the arrests and convictions in the phone hacking investigation the Sun "maintained a good working relationship with the Palace", describing the relationship today as "very good".
"I speak probably daily with the palace and know them well," he told the inquiry. "It is not unusual for us to call, it is particularly important with royal stories to get it 100 per cent right."
Emphasising the point earlier in his oral evidence, Larcombe said the overall culture at the Sun "has been an obsession with getting stories right and I don't think that's changed at all".
He told the inquiry he has no knowledge of phone hacking taking place at the Sun. Giving evidence prior to Larcombe the Sun's showbiz editor Gordon Smart also said he has no knowledge of phone hacking at the tabloid, and also did not observe the practice at the News of the World.
