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Phone hacking probe: Ex-News of the World editor Coulson arrested Phone hacking probe: Ex-News of the World editor Coulson arrested
(40 minutes later)
Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been arrested by police investigating phone hacking and corruption allegations.Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been arrested by police investigating phone hacking and corruption allegations.
And ex-NoW royal editor Clive Goodman, jailed in 2007 for phone hacking, has been arrested over corruption claims.And ex-NoW royal editor Clive Goodman, jailed in 2007 for phone hacking, has been arrested over corruption claims.
It came as Prime Minister David Cameron defended his decision to employ Mr Coulson and announced two inquiries - one led by a judge - into the scandal.It came as Prime Minister David Cameron defended his decision to employ Mr Coulson and announced two inquiries - one led by a judge - into the scandal.
Mr Coulson has denied any knowledge of phone hacking while he was NoW editor.Mr Coulson has denied any knowledge of phone hacking while he was NoW editor.
The controversy has raised questions about the proposed takeover of satellite broadcaster BSkyB by Rupert Murdoch's New Corporation, the ultimate owner of the News of the World.The controversy has raised questions about the proposed takeover of satellite broadcaster BSkyB by Rupert Murdoch's New Corporation, the ultimate owner of the News of the World.
And broadcasting regulator Ofcom has now written to the chairman of the Commons culture committee highlighting its duty to ensure that anyone holding a broadcasting licence is a "fit and proper" person to do so.And broadcasting regulator Ofcom has now written to the chairman of the Commons culture committee highlighting its duty to ensure that anyone holding a broadcasting licence is a "fit and proper" person to do so.
The letter says "in considering whether any licensee remains a fit and proper person to hold broadcasting licences Ofcom will consider any relevant conduct of those who manage and control such a licence".The letter says "in considering whether any licensee remains a fit and proper person to hold broadcasting licences Ofcom will consider any relevant conduct of those who manage and control such a licence".
Fresh revelationsFresh revelations
Mr Coulson, 43, was arrested at 1030 BST on Friday by detectives investigating allegations of hacking the phones of various people in the news and is also being questioned about corruption allegations.Mr Coulson, 43, was arrested at 1030 BST on Friday by detectives investigating allegations of hacking the phones of various people in the news and is also being questioned about corruption allegations.
He was arrested by appointment at a south London police station and is in custody.He was arrested by appointment at a south London police station and is in custody.
A number of suited men, thought to be police officers, entered Mr Coulson's south London home with large plastic crates at about 1200 BST.A number of suited men, thought to be police officers, entered Mr Coulson's south London home with large plastic crates at about 1200 BST.
And, following his arrest, Goodman, 53, is understood to be being held at a south London police station, although not the same one as Mr Coulson.And, following his arrest, Goodman, 53, is understood to be being held at a south London police station, although not the same one as Mr Coulson.
Mr Cameron said of Mr Coulson: "I became friends with him and I think he did his job for me in a very effective way. He became a friend and he is a friend."Mr Cameron said of Mr Coulson: "I became friends with him and I think he did his job for me in a very effective way. He became a friend and he is a friend."
In other developments:In other developments:
News International has said it is shutting the News of the World after this Sunday's edition following a spate of fresh revelations.News International has said it is shutting the News of the World after this Sunday's edition following a spate of fresh revelations.
The 168-year-old tabloid is accused of hacking into phones of crime victims, celebrities and politicians. Police have identified 4,000 possible targets.The 168-year-old tabloid is accused of hacking into phones of crime victims, celebrities and politicians. Police have identified 4,000 possible targets.
Mr Cameron said the judge-led inquiry would look into "why did the first police investigation fail so abysmally; what exactly was going on at the News of the World and what was going on at other newspapers".Mr Cameron said the judge-led inquiry would look into "why did the first police investigation fail so abysmally; what exactly was going on at the News of the World and what was going on at other newspapers".
Mr Cameron said a second inquiry would look at the ethics and culture of the press and that the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) should be scrapped, adding: "I believe we need a new system entirely".Mr Cameron said a second inquiry would look at the ethics and culture of the press and that the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) should be scrapped, adding: "I believe we need a new system entirely".
The independent public members of the PCC said it was important to recognise that "the government cannot simply order the replacement of the PCC, because it is an independent organisation".The independent public members of the PCC said it was important to recognise that "the government cannot simply order the replacement of the PCC, because it is an independent organisation".
In a statement, they said: "While we publicly accept the need for reform and improvement, and welcome the inquiries, our highly important work must still go on."In a statement, they said: "While we publicly accept the need for reform and improvement, and welcome the inquiries, our highly important work must still go on."
'Cathartic moment''Cathartic moment'
The prime minister also questioned the tenability of Mrs Brooks as News International chief executive considering she was editor of the News of the World at the time murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone was being hacked.The prime minister also questioned the tenability of Mrs Brooks as News International chief executive considering she was editor of the News of the World at the time murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone was being hacked.
In January 2007 Goodman, and a private investigator, Glenn Mulcaire, were both jailed for plotting to intercept voicemail messages left for royal aides.In January 2007 Goodman, and a private investigator, Glenn Mulcaire, were both jailed for plotting to intercept voicemail messages left for royal aides.
Mr Coulson, who was the paper's editor at the time, said he took "ultimate responsibility" for the scandal but insisted he was unaware of any phone hacking by his journalists.Mr Coulson, who was the paper's editor at the time, said he took "ultimate responsibility" for the scandal but insisted he was unaware of any phone hacking by his journalists.
Discussing his decision to employ Mr Coulson as his director of communications in 2007, the prime minister said: "I decided to give him a second chance but the second chance didn't work. The decision to hire him was mine and mine alone."Discussing his decision to employ Mr Coulson as his director of communications in 2007, the prime minister said: "I decided to give him a second chance but the second chance didn't work. The decision to hire him was mine and mine alone."
Mr Cameron admitted politicians were to blame for "turning a blind eye" to bad practices in journalism but said the controversy had led to a "cathartic moment" for both the media and politicians.Mr Cameron admitted politicians were to blame for "turning a blind eye" to bad practices in journalism but said the controversy had led to a "cathartic moment" for both the media and politicians.
Afterwards the Labour leader Ed Miliband said the prime minister "clearly still doesn't get it".Afterwards the Labour leader Ed Miliband said the prime minister "clearly still doesn't get it".
He said: "His wholly unconvincing answers of what he knew and when he knew it about Mr Coulson's activities undermine his ability to lead the change that Britain needs."He said: "His wholly unconvincing answers of what he knew and when he knew it about Mr Coulson's activities undermine his ability to lead the change that Britain needs."
Do you work for the News of the World? What do you think of the paper's closure? Will you buy Sunday's last edition? Send us your comments using the form below.Do you work for the News of the World? What do you think of the paper's closure? Will you buy Sunday's last edition? Send us your comments using the form below.