'Sun on Sunday' rumours gather pace as new executive jobs created

Rumours of a potential Sun on Sunday tabloid to replace the defunct News of the World have gathered pace once again.

A number of senior roles at The Sun have been created with former News of the World staff in mind, according to The Independent.

The paper quotes a source as saying: "These jobs have been ring-fenced for former News of the World people," with a second insider claiming that the positions "are holding jobs" until a Sunday version of The Sun is launched.

However, a News International spokesperson said: "There are no plans to launch a Sunday version of The Sun at the moment."

WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell has expressed his support for a 'Sun on Sunday' title, saying that there is still a lack of competition in the Sunday market following the News of the World's demise in the midst of the phone hacking scandal.

This Week presenter and former Sunday Times editor Andrew Neil claimed in July that a Sunday edition of The Sun was being pitched to advertisers by News International.

During evidence given to the culture, media and sport select committee in July, News International chairman James Murdoch said that the company had no immediate plans to replace the News of the World.