Police to probe tabloid phone-hacking claim

Reuters

TABLOID SHOCKER: British Communications Director Andy Coulson denies he told reporters to illegally intercept phone messages when he was a tabloid newspaper editor.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron's press chief offered on Monday to talk to police over claims he encouraged reporters to illegally intercept phone messages in his previous role as a tabloid newspaper editor.

Communications director Andy Coulson denied the allegations as the opposition Labour party sought to maximise government embarrassment over the issue.

Cameron, who took office in May, backed Coulson over allegations which resurfaced following reports in the New York Times and on the BBC last week. Critics of Cameron are questioning his judgement in appointing Coulson to such a sensitive post.

Coulson said he would be happy to speak to London police if they wanted to pursue the allegations. Police have said they will consider any new evidence and Home Secretary (interior minister) Theresa May said that was the right approach.

Coulson shaped the message that helped propel the centre-right Conservatives back into power as part of a coalition after the May election, ending 13 years in opposition.

The issue focuses on Coulson's time as editor of the racy Sunday News of the World tabloid, Britain's best-selling newspaper and part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp stable.

In 2007, Clive Goodman, who reported on the royal family for the paper, was jailed for four months after writing stories based on information from a private detective who had illegally accessed the voicemail messages of palace aides.

The newspaper has always maintained that Goodman acted without the knowledge of senior editors, including Coulson. Coulson, who quit after the scandal, has said he knew nothing of the practice which he blamed on a rogue reporter.

Coulson, 42, earns an annual salary of 140,000 pounds, almost the equivalent of what Cameron earns. However, he mainly operates in a background role and is not a familiar face to the average voter beyond London political and media circles.

OPPOSITION ATTACK

The opposition Labour party said the issue raised broad questions about tabloid newspaper tactics in seeking stories about public figures such as politicians and celebrities.

"The integrity of our democracy is under scrutiny around the world," Labour parliamentarian Tom Watson said during a debate in the lower house, urging police to pursue the allegations.

The New York Times reported last week that illegal eavesdropping by reporters at the paper was widespread. Since then, former News of the World reporter Sean Hoare has said in a BBC interview that Coulson knew of it.

"Mr Coulson emphatically denies these allegations. He has, however, offered to talk to (police) officers if the need arises and would welcome the opportunity to give his view on Mr Hoare's claims," a spokesman for Coulson said.

The News of the World has questioned the New York Times's motives in pursuing the case, saying there was a conflict of interest in investigating a rival newspaper group. News Corp's newspapers in the United States include the Wall Street Journal.

Bill Keller, executive editor of the New York Times, said the newspaper had refused to provide the police with interview materials and notes from its investigation.

"Our story speaks for itself and makes clear that the police already have evidence that they have chosen not to pursue," he said in a statement.

- Reuters