This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8160433.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
MPs probe tabloid hacking claims News International clash with MP
(9 minutes later)
Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson will be questioned by MPs about phone hacking claims against the paper. A lawyer for News International has said Labour MP Tom Watson should not be allowed to question them.
Mr Coulson, now Conservative Party director of communications, will appear before the culture and media select committee later. Tom Crone is being quizzed by the culture committee about phone tapping at the News of the World.
He threatened to complain to the Parliamentary authorities if Mr Watson takes part in the questioning.
Mr Watson, who is involved in a legal case with News International, accused the firm of "attempting to interfere with the work of the committee".
Andy Coulson, now Conservative Party director of communications, will appear before the culture and media select committee later.
He will be asked what he knew about his journalists' activities when he was in charge of the Sunday tabloid.He will be asked what he knew about his journalists' activities when he was in charge of the Sunday tabloid.
The Guardian has claimed up to 3,000 public figures had their phones hacked in an attempt to obtain stories.The Guardian has claimed up to 3,000 public figures had their phones hacked in an attempt to obtain stories.
The News of the World's current editor Colin Myler and managing editor Stuart Kuttner will also be questioned by the MPs in the session which started at 1030 BST.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Committee chairman John Whittingdale told the BBC there were a lot of questions for Mr Coulson to answer.Committee chairman John Whittingdale told the BBC there were a lot of questions for Mr Coulson to answer.
He said: "He has made clear he didn't know what was going on. We will obviously want to press him on that, we will want him to confirm that was the case, and we'll want to ask him about what was going on in the newspaper which allowed this to go on.He said: "He has made clear he didn't know what was going on. We will obviously want to press him on that, we will want him to confirm that was the case, and we'll want to ask him about what was going on in the newspaper which allowed this to go on.
"Until we hear his evidence and that of the other witnesses appearing before us we will reserve judgement.""Until we hear his evidence and that of the other witnesses appearing before us we will reserve judgement."
News of the World royal reporter Clive Goodman was jailed two years ago after pleading guilty to hacking into the phone messages of royal staff. Private investigator Glen Mulcaire was also jailed.News of the World royal reporter Clive Goodman was jailed two years ago after pleading guilty to hacking into the phone messages of royal staff. Private investigator Glen Mulcaire was also jailed.
Mr Coulson, who was editor of the News of the World between 2003 and 2007, resigned but he denied being aware of what was going on. Mr Coulson, who was editor of the News of the World between 2003 and 2007, resigned but he denied being aware of what was going on in the Goodman case.
He said he resigned because he bore "ultimate responsibility" for what happened "on his watch".He said he resigned because he bore "ultimate responsibility" for what happened "on his watch".
Last week the Guardian claimed the practice was much more widespread, affecting "thousands" of celebrities and politicians.Last week the Guardian claimed the practice was much more widespread, affecting "thousands" of celebrities and politicians.