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No 10 aide Andy Coulson denies hacking claims Phone-hacking case: Andy Coulson 'happy' to meet police
(about 1 hour later)
Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson has told the Metropolitan Police he is happy to meet them voluntarily about phone-hacking claims.Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson has told the Metropolitan Police he is happy to meet them voluntarily about phone-hacking claims.
Former News of the World reporter Sean Hoare has alleged former editor Mr Coulson asked him to hack into phones, a claim Mr Coulson denies.Former News of the World reporter Sean Hoare has alleged former editor Mr Coulson asked him to hack into phones, a claim Mr Coulson denies.
The Met said new material had emerged that would be considered by officers.The Met said new material had emerged that would be considered by officers.
Labour MP Tom Watson has been granted an urgent Commons question, which Home Secretary Theresa May will respond to.Labour MP Tom Watson has been granted an urgent Commons question, which Home Secretary Theresa May will respond to.
A spokesman for Mr Coulson said: "Andy Coulson has today told the Metropolitan Police that he is happy to voluntarily meet them following allegations made by Sean Hoare.A spokesman for Mr Coulson said: "Andy Coulson has today told the Metropolitan Police that he is happy to voluntarily meet them following allegations made by Sean Hoare.
"Mr Coulson emphatically denies these allegations. He has, however, offered to talk to officers if the need arises and would welcome the opportunity to give his view on Mr Hoare's claims.""Mr Coulson emphatically denies these allegations. He has, however, offered to talk to officers if the need arises and would welcome the opportunity to give his view on Mr Hoare's claims."
The News of the World's royal editor, Clive Goodman, was jailed for conspiracy to access phone messages in 2007, along with private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, but the paper insists it was an isolated case. Mr Coulson came under fresh pressure last week after href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/magazine/05hacking-t.html?_r=4" >former journalists told the New York Times that the practice of phone hacking was far more extensive than the newspaper acknowledged when police first investigated the case.
While critical of the conduct of the News of the World's journalists, the House of Commons Culture and Media Committee found no evidence that Mr Coulson either approved phone-hacking by his paper, or was aware it was taking place.
In 2009, the Metropolitan Police chose not to launch an investigation following the Guardian's claims that News of the World journalists were involved in widespread phone hacking of several thousand celebrities, sports stars and politicians.
Mr Coulson came under fresh pressure last week after former journalists told the New York Times that the practice of phone hacking was far more extensive than the newspaper acknowledged at the time.
In light of the new information, Met Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We've always said that if any new material or new evidence was produced then we would consider it.In light of the new information, Met Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We've always said that if any new material or new evidence was produced then we would consider it.
"We've heard what Mr Hoare's had to say, we've been in touch with the New York Times for many months prior to the publication of the article, seeking any new material or new evidence that they had. They didn't produce any until they published this with Mr Hoare. He said the New York Times and the Met Police had been in touch for many months regarding the story but Mr Hoare's interview was the first "new evidence" they had been able to produce. He said officers would now consider the information and consult with the Crown Prosecution Service before taking any action.
"It is new and we'll be considering it, and consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service before we do." In a statement published by the New York Times website, executive editor Bill Keller said Scotland Yard had declined "repeated requests" for interviews and bids for information during that time.
Shadow Home Secretary Mr Johnson said he wanted to know whether the practice was widespread at the News of the World, and whether every victim had been properly informed that they might have been hacked. He said: "After our story was published, Scotland Yard expressed renewed interest in the case and asked us to provide interview materials and notes; we declined, as we would with any such request from police. Our story speaks for itself and makes clear that the police already have evidence that they have chosen not to pursue."
"I feel that as the home secretary last year, I was meticulous about not getting into the political ramifications of this given Andy Coulson's position with the then leader of the opposition, and that this should be based on evidence that came forward," he said. Shadow Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he wanted to know whether the practice was widespread at the News of the World, and whether every victim had been properly informed that they might have been hacked.
"There's a whole host of evidence now that needs to be investigated and so I feel that is a job that needs to be completed. I'll be asking the current home secretary about that." He said that while he was home secretary, he was "meticulous" about steering away from party politics in the case especially because of Mr Coulson's role with the Conservative Party while they were in opposition.
Mr Johnson suggested there could be an investigation by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary or a judicial review.Mr Johnson suggested there could be an investigation by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary or a judicial review.
Lawyer Tamsin Allen from Bindmans LLP said her clients, who include former Labour minister Chris Bryant and former senior Met officer Brian Paddick, wanted the police's decision-making in this case to be "properly scrutinised".
Her firm said it would be issuing a judicial review challenging the Met's decision not to release information to those who were potentially affected by the phone-hacking allegations.
The News of the World's royal editor, Clive Goodman, was jailed for conspiracy to access phone messages in 2007, along with private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, but the paper has insisted that this was an isolated case.
The House of Commons Culture and Media Committee criticised the conduct of the News of the World's journalists but found no evidence that Mr Coulson either approved phone-hacking by his paper, or was aware it was taking place.
And in 2009, the Met chose not to launch an investigation following the Guardian's claims that News of the World journalists were involved in widespread phone hacking of several thousand celebrities, sports stars and politicians.
Culture committee chairman John Whittingdale told the BBC he was against MPs reopening their inquiry into the claims.Culture committee chairman John Whittingdale told the BBC he was against MPs reopening their inquiry into the claims.
He said the committee's previous investigation was as detailed as it could be at the time and it stood by its conclusions.He said the committee's previous investigation was as detailed as it could be at the time and it stood by its conclusions.
Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz said Mr Yates would be asked about the latest developments in the inquiry when he appears before it on another matter on Tuesday.Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz said Mr Yates would be asked about the latest developments in the inquiry when he appears before it on another matter on Tuesday.
The prime minister's spokesman said David Cameron had full confidence in Mr Coulson, who continues to do his job.The prime minister's spokesman said David Cameron had full confidence in Mr Coulson, who continues to do his job.
The spokesman said: "We have a number of stories in the newspapers. These allegations have been denied."The spokesman said: "We have a number of stories in the newspapers. These allegations have been denied."
As far as the prime minister was concerned nothing had changed said the spokesman, adding: "These matters have been gone over many times in the past."As far as the prime minister was concerned nothing had changed said the spokesman, adding: "These matters have been gone over many times in the past."
So far most of the pressure on the government has come from opposition Labour politicians but on Monday, some Liberal Democrats also voiced their concerns.
Labour leadership contender Ed Balls, former Labour minister Tessa Jowell, who says her phone was hacked 28 times, and former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott, who also believes he was targeted, have all called for action.Labour leadership contender Ed Balls, former Labour minister Tessa Jowell, who says her phone was hacked 28 times, and former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott, who also believes he was targeted, have all called for action.
Mr Balls said Mr Coulson's role at the heart of Number 10 meant that the government's "integrity" was under question.Mr Balls said Mr Coulson's role at the heart of Number 10 meant that the government's "integrity" was under question.
Lord Prescott threatened legal action in his bid to gain access to documents relating to his records.Lord Prescott threatened legal action in his bid to gain access to documents relating to his records.
Lib Dem MP Tom Brake, who is in charge of his party's backbench home affairs committee, told the BBC he has "misgivings" about the way the police handled the hacking investigation
Mr Brake said given the scale of the allegations and number of people involved, he would have expected the police to look at separate cases individually.
His colleague Caroline Pidgeon, who is the leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said a new team may be needed to run a fresh investigation.
Mr Hoare told the New York Times he was fired from the News of the World during a period when he was struggling with drink and drugs.Mr Hoare told the New York Times he was fired from the News of the World during a period when he was struggling with drink and drugs.
The News of the World has rejected "absolutely any suggestion there was a widespread culture of wrongdoing" at the newspaper.The News of the World has rejected "absolutely any suggestion there was a widespread culture of wrongdoing" at the newspaper.
It said in a statement: "The News of the World repeatedly asked the New York Times to provide evidence to support their allegations and they were unable to do so.It said in a statement: "The News of the World repeatedly asked the New York Times to provide evidence to support their allegations and they were unable to do so.
"Indeed, the story they published contained no new credible evidence and relied heavily on anonymous sources, contrary to the paper's own editorial guidelines."Indeed, the story they published contained no new credible evidence and relied heavily on anonymous sources, contrary to the paper's own editorial guidelines.
"In so doing they have undermined their own reputation and confirmed our suspicion their story was motivated by commercial rivalry.""In so doing they have undermined their own reputation and confirmed our suspicion their story was motivated by commercial rivalry."