Staff at the Sun have been sent an internal memo by Mike Darcey, chief executive of News International, in which he describes Mr Webster as a "long standing and valued colleague" and that his "thoughts are with... his family at this time".

BBC: The Sun's Geoff Webster charged over payments to officials

Two weeks ago, a new chief executive, Mike Darcey, arrived at News International and in a statement issued on Friday night, he said that Mr Witherow would take over at the Times "effective immediately, subject to formal approval as editor by the independent directors" of Times Newspapers Ltd.

BBC: John Witherow is appointed new editor of the Times