The Sun To Scrap Online Paywall Within Weeks

The Sun is to make its online content "largely free" again, just two years after it started charging readers.

The U-turn was announced in an internal memo by Rebekah Brooks, who was brought back to run Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper operation just last month after being cleared of involvement in the phone hacking scandal.

Sun+ customers have been charged £2 per week since August 2013.

But Ms Brooks told staff: "As of November 1, Sun+ customers will no longer be billed for reading The Sun's digital content and we will be transitioning to a largely free world by the end of the month.

"Entering this new chapter for The Sun, we are in a strong position thanks to the many learnings we bring from the paid-for era."

She added: "Paid-for products such as Club Dream Team and the pdf tablet app will be retained."

News UK is the publisher of not only The Sun, but also The Times and Sunday Times newspapers.

They also currently charge for online access but there is no suggestion of a similar change of heart.

Ms Brooks was tasked with developing the digital platforms at News UK when her appointment was announced.

It is understood The Sun raked in £20 in subscriptions in 2014 while more than £60m was taken in advertising revenues alone at rival Mail Online, which is free.