Downing Street spin doctor resigns

Andy Coulson, the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications, has resigned, amid speculation about his involvement in the phone-hacking scandal last year.

The former editor of the News of The World’s position became untenable following allegations against him about the crisis.

Mr Coulson resigned as editor of the newspaper in 2007, after several of its journalists faced jailed sentences for hacking into royal household members’ mobile phones.

In spite of this, Mr Coulson has always denied any knowledge of phone hacking at the newspaper, and the Prime Minister assured the public upon the former editor’s appointment as one of his senior aides that he had already ‘paid the price’ for the hacking scandal.

Chris Bryant, the former Labour Europe minister, made a statement implying that Mr Coulson’s resignation was a direct consequence of the phone-hacking scandal: “His appointment shows a fundamental lack of judgment by the Prime Minister.

"Cameron has clung on to him for dear life, long past the point when it became clear that Coulson's position was untenable. It is one thing to use Coulson in opposition, but to put him on the taxpayer's payroll at considerable expense and at the heart of government shows that Cameron is completely unscrupulous.

“Cameron's Downing Street is not as pure as the Prime Minister would have us believe. It's not new politics, it's the oldest trick in the book. I hope now finally that the police will be able to conduct the full, transparent and thorough inquiry into phone hacking that we are still waiting for and that the murky truth will come to light.”

In stark contrast, David Cameron spoke out in support of Mr Coulson following his resignation, citing his ‘professionalism’ and ‘dedication’: "I am very sorry that Andy Coulson has decided to resign as my director of communications, although I understand that the continuing pressures on him and his family mean that he feels compelled to do so.

"Andy has told me that the focus on him was impeding his ability to do his job and was starting to prove a distraction for the government.

"During his time working for me, Andy has carried out his role with complete professionalism. He has been a brilliant member of my team and has thrown himself at the job with skill and dedication.

“He can be extremely proud of the role he has played, including for the last eight months in government. I wish Andy all the very best for his future, which I am certain will be a successful one."