This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-14077405
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 17 | Version 18 |
|---|---|
| Phone hacking probe: Ex-NoW editor Coulson bailed | Phone hacking probe: Ex-NoW editor Coulson bailed |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Former News of the World (NoW) editor Andy Coulson has been released on police bail after his arrest on suspicion of bribing police officers. | Former News of the World (NoW) editor Andy Coulson has been released on police bail after his arrest on suspicion of bribing police officers. |
| After nine hours of questioning, he said there was a lot he would like to say but could not. He denies knowledge of phone hacking when he was editor. | After nine hours of questioning, he said there was a lot he would like to say but could not. He denies knowledge of phone hacking when he was editor. |
| PM David Cameron defended his decision to employ Mr Coulson as his aide. | PM David Cameron defended his decision to employ Mr Coulson as his aide. |
| Late on Friday, an unnamed 63-year-old became the third man to be arrested by police investigating phone hacking. | Late on Friday, an unnamed 63-year-old became the third man to be arrested by police investigating phone hacking. |
| He was arrested at an address in Surrey on suspicion of corruption. Police are currently searching the property. | He was arrested at an address in Surrey on suspicion of corruption. Police are currently searching the property. |
| Earlier, former NoW royal editor Clive Goodman, 53, who was jailed in 2007 for phone hacking, was released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of corruption | Earlier, former NoW royal editor Clive Goodman, 53, who was jailed in 2007 for phone hacking, was released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of corruption |
| 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 of corruption. | 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 of corruption. |
| He had attended Lewisham police station in south London by appointment. | He had attended Lewisham police station in south London by appointment. |
| A number of suited men, thought to be police officers, had entered his south London home with large plastic crates at about 1200 BST. | A number of suited men, thought to be police officers, had entered his south London home with large plastic crates at about 1200 BST. |
| Mr Cameron said of Mr Coulson, his former communications chief: "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, his former communications chief: "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." |
| Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Rebekah Brooks, head of the NoW's parent firm News International, is no longer heading the firm's own inquiry into the scandal. | Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Rebekah Brooks, head of the NoW's parent firm News International, is no longer heading the firm's own inquiry into the scandal. |
| She told News International staff in an e-mail that those carrying out the investigation would now report to Joel Klein, a US-based senior executive at the company's owner, News Corp. | She told News International staff in an e-mail that those carrying out the investigation would now report to Joel Klein, a US-based senior executive at the company's owner, News Corp. |
| On Friday, Mrs Brooks held a meeting with NoW staff at its headquarters in Wapping. | On Friday, Mrs Brooks held a meeting with NoW staff at its headquarters in Wapping. |
| A source present at the talks told the BBC she had informed staff they would eventually understand why the Sunday tabloid had to close. | A source present at the talks told the BBC she had informed staff they would eventually understand why the Sunday tabloid had to close. |
| She also denied closing the NoW was a "cynical ploy", and apologised for the decision. | She also denied closing the NoW was a "cynical ploy", and apologised for the decision. |
| News International has said it is shutting the NoW after this Sunday's edition following a spate of fresh revelations. | News International has said it is shutting the NoW 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. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
|
|
| Earlier, Mr Cameron revealed details of two new inquiries relating to the scandal. | Earlier, Mr Cameron revealed details of two new inquiries relating to the scandal. |
| He said a 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". | He said a 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". |
| A second inquiry would examine the ethics and culture of the press, he added. | A second inquiry would examine the ethics and culture of the press, he added. |
| '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 NoW 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 NoW at the time murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone was being hacked. |
| The controversy has raised questions about the proposed takeover of satellite broadcaster BSkyB by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, the ultimate owner of the NoW. | |
| 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". |
| 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." |