British Prime Minister’s top PR man – a former News of the World editor – has been forced to resign in the wake of the scandal that uncovered illegal hacking of phones belonging to Princes William and Harry on his watch. Andy Coulson, who became Prime Minister David Cameron’s director of communications after last year’s election, unexpectedly quit overnight conceding that his involvement in the affair “made it difficult to give 110 per cent” to his job.
His departure sent shockwaves around Westminister and came just hours after the sudden resignation of one of Labour’s most senior MPs, shadow chancellor Alan Johnson, who stepped down on Thursday night for “personal reasons”. It was revealed yesterday that his wife had been having an affair with his Scotland Yard protection officer.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office, Mr Cameron said: “I am very sorry that Andy Coulson has decided to resign as my director of communications, although I understand that the continuing pressures on him and his family mean that he feels compelled to do so. Andy has told me that the focus on him was impeding his ability to do his job and was starting to prove a distraction for the government.
“During his time working for me, Andy has carried out his role with complete professionalism … He can be extremely proud of the role he has played, including for the last eight months in government.”
This is the second time that Mr Coulson has been forced out of a high-profile position over the so-called phone-hacking scandal, as he was forced to quit as editor of the News of the World in early 2007 when the paper’s royal reporter, Clive Goodman, was jailed for tapping the phones of Princes William and Harry.
There have since been civil claims by scores of others – including actors, politicians and sports stars – who believe they had been hacked. Until last night, Mr Cameron had staunchly defended his spin doctor, insisting he ”deserved a second chance”.
The phone hacking story has regained momentum in recent weeks after an assistant editor at the News of the World, appointed by Mr Coulson, was suspended before Christmas when court documents revealed his name was on notes made by Glen Mulcaire, the private investigator who hacked into phones on behalf of Goodman.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced a week ago that it will conduct a “comprehensive assessment” of the News of the World files, in a bid to uncover whether others should face criminal charges. Mr Coulson has always denied any knowledge of criminal activity.
