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News International clash with MP Coulson 'didn't condone hacking'
(30 minutes later)
A lawyer for News International has said Labour MP Tom Watson should not be allowed to question them. Conservative communications chief Andy Coulson has told MPs he did not "condone or use" phone hacking when he was editor of the News of the World.
Tom Crone is being quizzed by the culture committee about phone hacking at the News of the World. Mr Coulson quit as the editor after a reporter was jailed for hacking.
He threatened to complain to the Parliamentary authorities if Mr Watson takes part in the questioning. Although he said he had not known about it, he told the culture committee he regretted things going "badly wrong" and had taken responsibility by going.
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". The hearing began with the paper's lawyer saying Labour MP Tom Watson should not be allowed to question them.
The former cabinet office minister began the committee hearing by saying he was being represented by Carter Ruck, the well-known libel lawyers, in a dispute with The Sun newspaper, another of News International's titles. The legal chief threatened to complain to the Parliamentary authorities if Mr Watson, who is involved in a legal case with News International, took part in the questioning.
Mr Crone said News International had delivered a letter to the committee on Monday evening to object to Mr Watson's presence on it. Mr Watson, whose legal action is with the News of the World's sister paper The Sun, accused the firm of "attempting to interfere with the work of the committee".
"Under Parliamentary rules and also the principles, I think, of natural justice and of Article 6 of the Human Rights Act, it seems to us quite improper that Mr Watson is sitting on this panel, dealing News Group Newspapers Limited, with whom he is in litigation.
"If he remains, we will be making a complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner."
Hacking allegationsHacking allegations
Committee chairman, Tory MP John Whittingdale, said advice from the Speaker's Council was that it does not interfere with his ability to take part in the inquiry. Committee chairman, Tory MP John Whittingdale, said advice from the Speaker's counsel was that it did not interfere with his ability to take part in the inquiry.
Mr Whittingdale, began by saying he had stood aside as a member of the Conservative Party board, which is the employer of ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson, during the committee's investigation. Mr Whittingdale began by saying he had stood aside as a member of the Conservative Party board, which is the employer of ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson, during the committee's investigation.
Andy Coulson, now Conservative Party director of communications, will appear before the culture and media select committee later. News International lawyer Tom Crone and News of the World editor Colin Myler, who also gave evidence before Mr Coulson's grillign began, confirmed News International had made a payment to Gordon Taylor, head of the Professional Footballers' Association, and two others, which was the basis of The Guardian's phone hacking allegations.
He will be asked what he knew about his journalists' activities when he was in charge of the Sunday tabloid.
Mr Crone and News of the World editor Colin Myler, who is also giving evidence, confirmed News International had made a payment to Gordon Taylor, head of the Professional Footballers' Association, and two others, which was the basis of The Guardian's phone hacking allegations.
Tom Crone: 'It seems to us quite impromper that Mr Watson is sitting on this panel'Tom Crone: 'It seems to us quite impromper that Mr Watson is sitting on this panel'
The Guardian has also claimed up to 3,000 public figures had their phones hacked in an attempt to obtain stories.The Guardian has also claimed up to 3,000 public figures had their phones hacked in an attempt to obtain stories.
But Mr Myler reacted angrily to his staff being accused of what he called "systematic illegality", asking the committee: "Where is the evidence?"But Mr Myler reacted angrily to his staff being accused of what he called "systematic illegality", asking the committee: "Where is the evidence?"
Mr Whittingdale earlier told the BBC there were a lot of questions for Mr Coulson to answer.
"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," Mr Whittingdale said.
"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 in the Goodman case.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.