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David Cameron dragged into phone tapping affair
Joe Murphy and Paul Waugh09.07.09
David Cameron today refused to sack his chief media adviser over a major newspaper phone-hacking scandal.
The Tory leader came under ferocious pressure from Labour MPs who said Andy Coulson should be fired because he edited the News of the World when celebrities and politicians were apparently routinely and illegally spied on.
The Guardian today revealed that Rupert Murdoch's newspaper had secretly paid more than a £1 million to cover up legal cases involving the illegal phone-tapping of hundreds of celebrities, sportsmen and politicians.
The scandal threatens to become a criminal inquiry with wide-ranging consequences that could ensnare senior staff in Mr Murdoch's media empire and also raise questions about Mr Cameron's judgment in hiring Mr Coulson as the Tory party's communications chief.
Victims are said to have included John Prescott, Tessa Jowell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Boris Johnson and the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Gordon Taylor. Most were never informed by Scotland Yard that evidence had been found that they were hacked.
Mr Taylor and two others, had complained about the News of the World's bugging but as part of the settlement with the paper they agreed to remain silent.
A Commons inquiry into the affair was proposed by a senior Tory and there were calls for Home Secretary Alan Johnson to order an inquiry into the police handling of the affair. As the pressure built up, a defiant Mr Cameron dug in his heels, saying that Mr Coulson deserved “a second chance”.
“It is wrong for newspapers to breach privacy without any justification,” said the Tory leader. “That's why Andy Coulson resigned as editor of the News of the World two and a half years ago.
“Of course, I knew about that resignation before offering him the job because I believe in giving people a second chance. As director of communications he does an excellent job in a proper and upright way at all times.”
Mr Cameron's use of the term “second chance” was seen as a concession that, despite repeated denials, Mr Coulson was somehow implicated in the hacking scandal. But his allies said he was determined not to surrender a scalp to what they called a campaign by Labour to target Mr Coulson personally.
Former home secretary Charles Clarke said that the allegations were “outrageous” and demanded Mr Coulson's sacking. He called on the Home Secretary to order an investigation by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary into the Met's handling of the case, asking why victims were kept in the dark.
“I think it's outrageous. News International has to provide a list of all of those they bugged. David Cameron has to sack Andy Coulson as Director of Communications because his denial is very narrow in the extreme,” Mr Clarke told BBC Radio 4's Today.
Mr Coulson's role at Cameron HQ is to advise on media communications strategy and the handling of stories. He is reported to be paid £450,000 or more — twice as much as Mr Cameron.
He resigned from the News of the World after royal editor Clive Goodman was sentenced to four months in prison in January 2007 for plotting to hack into phone messages of royal aides.
Former deputy PM John Prescott demanded an explanation from the Met. “I find it staggering that there could be a list known to the police of people who had their phone tapped,” he said. “I'm named as one of them — for such a criminal act not to be reported to me, and for action not to be taken against the people who have done it, reflects very badly on the police.”
Andrew Neil, who edited the Sunday Times, said: “It suggests that rather than being a one-off journalist or rogue private investigator, it was systemic throughout the News of the World, and to a lesser extent the Sun.”
Mr Coulson said: “This story relates to an alleged payment made after I left the News of the World. I have no knowledge whatsoever of any settlement with Gordon Taylor.”
Reader views (34)
#Elizabeth, Sutton Surry
Sorry, but nothing to do with Mandelson or Campbell. The announcement was made on the BBC 10 o'clock News last night, and followed up by Newsnight. The Guardian has been investigating this story, and the source was a serving Police Officer who was on the case. I know you would dearly like to believe this is without substance, but Andrew Neil (not a Labour supporter), said on Newsnight that this is the biggest newspaper scandal in modern times. He should know; he worked for News International for 10 years.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain
"The people making the allegations, Mandcelson and Prescott to name but two, are proven liars."
Desperate and pathetic words, Dan. It is a renowned newspaper, for whom neither of them works, that has shown us the internal organs of this thoroughly nasty affair. Cameron told THEM he was relaxed about the matter. He must be the only politician who is - nut then he employs the shameful 'hacker' for the benefit of the Tory Party.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Why on earth is the ES giving so much space to the ludicrous Keith Price and that other NuLab luvvie Val? Hysterics over unproven allegations and suddenly Cameron is the villain? What nonsense. Compare this with the proved unethical behaviour of Campbell, Mandelson, McBride, Blair, Brown et al who took us to war on a pack of lies. Get some perspective for Pete's sake.
- Andrew, Leaving the sinking ship England
STEP DOWN MR CAMERON YOU ARE A SHAMFUL DIGRACE.
- Sorraya, croydon
"No - this is the leader of the Tory Party defending the indefensible, after appointing and stading by him to carry out the very tactics that have damned him in ther first place. david should consider his position very seriously"
Yep - Keith is back in full swing with his anti anything to do with tories bias in full swing. Where - WHERE does it say that he is carrying out the same kind of thing that he resigned over two years ago? Someone resigning over a given thing could have been for one of two reasons - that he had been directly involved and got out while he could, or that he could not condone what was going on. That's where that old (now unused apparently) oh so British thing about "innocent until proven guilty" thing should come into play.
Cameron firing him now would be a pre-judgement on the matter, based upon political gain rather than hard, proven fact. Sorry, but even if the man turns out to be culpable, it would be wrong for him to be sacked "just in case", as such a sacking would be just as much political expedience as the attacks by the 'trying to divert attention' Labour party are.
- Rogan, Irving
Coulson resigned 2.5 years ago,presumably because he did not go along with the news of the world's methods and Cameron is right,everyone deserves a second chance.We can all think of a number of Labour ministers e.g. Mandelson (the honourable member for copacabana beach south)who have been sacked a few times and keep bouncing back with innumerable chances.As for the hysterical Keith Price from Luton,well the town says it all..Luton hardly a conservative stronghold..he sounds like a rabid socialist to me masquerading as a floating voter!
- Karl, london,uk
Why has the Guardian's article been censored, do we now no longer have a free press
Why have the police not acted before when it is clear they have known for some time about the activities of the news of the world
Why does David Cameron employ a man who is clearly implicated in this as his communications director
What skills and does Mr Coulson bring to the Conservative party exactly - and is that now becoming clearer
Just like all of our personal information - DNA, CCTV images, and now mobile phone conversations, the people who take this information from us cannot be trusted with it.
Give us back our privacy - remove those from power who are mis using it - or else
- Sussex Liberal, London
Probably a smear campaign by Labour. How many times have they lied to us. Don't fall for more of their deceit.
- Jk, London
Why is David Cameron employing the former editor of a trashy paper that specialises in topless girls? Cameron has no morals, he's just interested in power.
- Martin Edwards, London
I'm sorry Mr Cameron, you have just kicked an own goal.
Shame on you for your opportunistic hypocrisy!
- Minnie Ovens, London, UK
"David Cameron dragged into phone tapping affair".
I don't think so. Attempts are being made to drag David Cameron into a phone tapping affair by means of scurrilous and baseless allegations. There is no proof. These remains allegations. The people making the allegations, Mandcelson and Prescott to name but two, are proven liars.
- Desperate Dan, London, UK
Charles Clarke " I think its outrageous ! "
Andy Coulson resigned over these events over 2 years ago.
What ? He should be sacked TWICE Mr. Clarke !
Remind me again , how many times has Mandelson ( I refuse to call him Lord )been sacked ,not resigned , and taken back ?
David cameron is right , Coulson did the honourable thing and resigned before , and he SHOULD have a second chance now.
- Bryan Odell, Knokke , Belgium
Even before these latest allegations, it's an appalling reflection of the state of politics in Britain today that a man like Hilton is a key advisor to the prime minister in waiting. Look at his CV:
Left school at 18
'Bizarre' column writer, The Sun
Editor of News of the World (resigned due to royal phone tapping scandal)
Cameron's misjudgement in taking on this lowlife is shocking.
- Kev, Bromley
Quoote from the Standard today - "journalists from the News of the World and the Sun reqwested information from a series of official computers, including police records, the DVLA, British Telecom and the Inland Revenue in breach of the Data Protection Act."
To think that the man who authorised this shameful business is employed by David Cameron as a Chief Adviser to the Tory Party is horrific, and the fact that david is "relaxed" about today's disclosures paints a true picture of the man who wants to be our next OM. Heaven forbid.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
"How on earth can david cameron say he is "relaxed" about this shocking disclosure. he won't be relaxed when the police start investigating the matter properly, and questions are addressed to him about why he employed him as a chief adviser, when it was already known that he was embroiled in a serious 'tapping' controversy. At best it shows a total lack of judgement for a man who would be Britain's next Prime Minister."
This post makes the best sense of the matter
- Keith Price, Luton, England
This is old Labour black spin tactics to try and damage Cameron and all the papers are just lapping it up.!
No - this is the leader of the Tory Party defending the indefensible, after appointing and stading by him to carry out the very tactics that have damned him in ther first place. david should consider his position very seriously
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Cameron and Coulson both need to be questioned by the Police, and charges brought against Murdoch and the Sun and the NoW and closed down and compensation paid to the victims of phone tapping and immorality of these scurrilous papers.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
How can we have a public imparital system that is so in bed with the media that it is almost impossible to know what you are reading or watching is coming from an independent source. There are so many media people with top advisory jobs (or are partners/married of)in the government and senior civil service that it is quite obvious that Rupert Murdoch and others pick the leaders and party of our country. Another nail in the coffin of democracy.
- Hansel, London
#What a hypocrite David Cameron is. His show of shock horror about the Damian McBride scandal is seen for exactly what it was, false, holier than thou, hypocrisy. Now it is alleged his Communications chief was up to his neck in criminal activity at the NOTW. Even if not personally involved, it appears he condoned the actions of those for whom he was responsible. David Cameron and George Osborne are always reported as being relaxed about questions of wrongdoing; George is relaxed about the Public Standards enquiry into his mortgage, and David is relaxed about the fact his media chief may have been complicit in illegal hacking into mobile 'phones. Hey ho, nothing changes in the Conservative party.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain
So Mr Cameron is willing to support and employ someone who has committed a criminal offence - not very reassuring!
- Andy, london
I expect Cameron thinks its a case of innocent until proven guilty and no-one's come up with any proof yet that this is anything other than another baseless Labour smear campaign just like all the others.
- Desperate Dan, London, UK
The voters in the UK would rather have Cameron's unproven judgment than Brown's proven lack of judgment.
Brown and Labour have been an unmitigated disaster for the UK.
- Bingham Macnamara, lymington, hampshire
Keith Price,
You need to calm down a little.... Anyone would think you are a Labour supporter. I wonder if Damian Mc Bride is in town ?
- Wayne, Herts, Uk
The Headline says Cameron Dragged into Phone-Tapping Affair.
In actual fact Cameron was well aware of Mr Coulson's past when he appointed him. I don't think that MR Coulson was appointed to improve the morality of Tory Central Office or to improve the tone of Dave and his cronies. He was appointed as a spin doctor from the gutter press to be Dave's Attack Dog and he is very good at his job.
- T Ricin, Ealing England
I don't take this story at face value - this is old news - Campbell and Mandy dragging up something we all knew about 2 years ago. Why dont the Evening Standard journalist find out where this story came from probably Derek Draper. This is old Labour black spin tactics to try and damage Cameron and all the papers are just lapping it up.
- Elizabeth, Sutton, Surrey
The News of the World (along with the Sun) should be closed down for their criminal behaviour. Andy Coulson belongs in jail.
- Steve Green, London
David Cameron is falling into the old trap of defending a person who is not worth defending. If it goes on till the weekend then it will be Goodbye Colson and Cameron will look stupid. If it fades out then Colson will be tainted but safe until the next revelation. You can't do a job like Editor of the News of the World without having many skeletons in the wardrobe.
- T Ricin, Ealing England
"Prescott huffs and puffs because he fears his extra marital activities will again be publicised.Serves him right."
Oh so it is Prescott's fault - not Coulson's and Cameron's !!? How do you work that out ? Prescott is just one of hundreds of celebrities who were entitled to privcy in their private lives, but were clearly not accorded it
- Keith Price, Luton, England
How on earth can david cameron say he is "relaxed" about this shocking disclosure. he won't be relaxed when the police start investigating the matter properly, and questions are addressed to him about why he employed him as a chief adviser, when it was already known that he was embroiled in a serious 'tapping' controversy. At best it shows a total lack of judgement for a man who would be Britain's next Prime Minister.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
This is about character and, by backing Coulson, David Cameron has shown his true colours.
If he really wants to show he's fit to lead the country he should drop Coulson like a live grenade because you can bet that Labour politicians will see a perfect opportunity to get even for the Draper affair meaning that this will run for ages causing huge damage to politics in general and the Tory party in particular.
- Ian, Cambridge
If Mr Coulson knew that payments were being made to private investigators for bugging phones then he is culpable and should also have been prosecuted. Just resigning does not assuage his guilt.
- Jack Jones, Ealing England
Coulson will have to resign his Tory job.Prescott huffs and puffs because he fears his extra marital activities will again be publicised.Serves him right.
- Alex Pomeroy, london
Mr. Cameron, you should be ashamed of yourself, employing someone whose staff appear to have illegally intercepted thousands of private telephone calls. The fact that he jumped ship before the court proceedings were issued and the compensation paid is completely irrelevant. It just goes to show that the Tories are no better than New Labour in the people they hire. And don’t send a spokeswoman to tell us that you’re “relaxed” about it. If this was a Labour scandal, you and Osborne would be banging your drums loudly and angrily, and demanding that heads roll. I guess this scandal shows that all politicians are the same.
- Simon Jones, Leicester, UK
How can Mr Coulson stay? Whatever he has or hasn't done can't be associated with a political party these days. We can't go back to the days when a director of communications (aka "spin doctor") of a political party can be 'perceived' to be involved in these low-life dealings. If the Cameron wants to avoid the quagmire that is entrenched in the Labour cesspit, they cannot have their own Campbell (the lowest form of life) or McBride (to a lesser extent). If Cameron doesn't let him go now the Tory party will suffer serious reputational damage.
- Carl, London
