As it happened: Andy Coulson at the Leveson Inquiry
The former News of the World editor and No 10 spin doctor testified under oath this afternoon. Read his evidence as it unfolded below.
-
As ever with matters of high importance such as this, a key early indicator will be tie colour. My money is on purple #Coulson #Levesonby amol rajan via twitter 5/10/2012 12:51:41 PM -
A reminder that our Political Editor, Andy Grice, reported this morning that 49 per cent of David Cameron's constituents in Witney believe that he is too close to Rupert Murdoch and his media empire. The man who personifies that link is the man giving evidence shortly: Andrew Edward Coulson. -
We're off. Coulson gives his full name and starts answering questions about his early career. #Levesonby martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:04:53 PM -
So… the Leveson testimony everyone has been waiting for, (apart from Rupert Murdoch, perhaps): Andy Coulson.
A few facts. A showbiz reporter at the Sun in the 90s, Coulson was fast-tracked through the News of the World, becoming deputy editor in 2000 and editor in 2003. Under his stewardship the paper won multiple awards, but he was forced to resign in January 2007 over the jailing for phone hacking of its royal editor Clive Goodman. Surprisingly, in the circumstances, David Cameron made Coulson his director of communications in July 2007 and took him into Downing Street after the 2010 election. Coulson resigned from No 10 last January, amid growing questions about the behaviour of the News of the World under his editorship.
The first thing to note is just how far he has fallen. Little more than a year ago he was one of the PM’s closest aides. Now he is on police bail, arrested last July on suspicion of phone hacking and corruption - and is about to be questioned by a judicial inquiry investigating the worst national scandal for years.
What will he be like as a witness? In his appearance before the Commons Culture Committee in 2009, Coulson was cool and assured. We are likely to see that composure again today. Because of his arrest, the Leveson Inquiry will have to skirt around any role he may have had in law-breaking at Wapping. But he is likely to be asked about the ethics of the News of the World, his dealings with Rupert Murdoch and his usefulness to David Cameron. The evidence adduced by the inquiry in its questions to him is likely to reveal more than his answers. -
-
Andy Coulson says that he is relying on his memory and "notebooks" for his statement. He says he's not spoken to Rebekah Brooks for a while "for obvious reasons"; he says she both supported Labour as editor of "the Sun" and took it into supporting the Conservatives. -
-
-
There goes Coulson's very first 'I don't remember...' How many more will we get?by Paul Waugh via twitter 5/10/2012 1:12:01 PM -
-
Jay: 'You're bringing the question around to quite neutral matters'. Quite. #Levesonby martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:12:56 PM
-
Ah. Was Murdoch applying sales pressure? Coulson sidesteps by talking about sport.
#Levesonby martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:13:08 PM -
#Coulson says Murdoch did "on occasions" discuss politics and politicians. Very short, terse, tense answers so far at #Levesonby amol rajan via twitter 5/10/2012 1:14:13 PM
-
-
Coulson - dark suit, dark tie, hands clasped in front of him, clipped tones. Bring forth the Penitent. #Levesonby cahalmilmo via twitter 5/10/2012 1:15:30 PM -
-
-
-
-
-
#Coulson says that he didn't - or doesn't remember - conversations with #Brooks on political support. highly implausible #Levesonby amol rajan via twitter 5/10/2012 1:20:01 PM
-
There was a rivalry between the NOTW and The Sun, so Coulson and Brooks didn't discuss which party their paper backed. #Levesonby cahalmilmo via twitter 5/10/2012 1:20:32 PM
-
-
Coulson says he turned down chance to edit the Mirror. Probably regrets that now #levesonby oliver_wright via twitter 5/10/2012 1:21:08 PM -
-
-
-
So far Andy Coulson's responses have been extremely terse at Leveson. Asked whether David Cameron was his preferred candidate for the Tory leadership, he says "I don't recall". Asked whether he discussed political party support from either the News of the World or The Sun, he similarly says "I don't recall". This is not a plausible position. But it is legally safe.
-
"I am certainly a believer in the freedom of the press." Coulson says it twice. Just in case you didn't hear it the first time. #Levesonby cahalmilmo via twitter 5/10/2012 1:24:46 PM
-
Is there a ballroom dance where the side-step is particularly prevalent?by martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:25:24 PM
-
Is there a ballroom dance where the side-step is particularly prevalent? #Coulson #Levesonby martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:26:07 PM
-
-
It should be noted that #Coulson has said under oath that he didn't discuss #NOTW support for Labour with @rupertmurdoch . #Levesonby amol rajan via twitter 5/10/2012 1:27:13 PM
-
Coulson just said something lots of people won't get - he's a Tory, he edited a paper which backed Labour because its readers did. #Leveson.by fleetstreetfox via twitter 5/10/2012 1:27:41 PM -
Coulson: "Yes, it's fair to say" I voted Tory. But NoTW backed Labour 'under my editorship' #levesonby Paul Waugh via twitter 5/10/2012 1:28:19 PM
-
RT @benfenton
@martin_hickman Lambada? >> any more?by martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:29:01 PM -
Now this is interesting: why did Coulson soft-ball the scoop on George Osborne and 'Mistress Pain'? #Levesonby martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:30:33 PM
-
Coy. Story about George Osborne posing in front of an (alleged) line of coke with a dominatrix "certainly wasn't helpful" to GO. #Levesonby cahalmilmo via twitter 5/10/2012 1:31:10 PM
-
-
Coulson: 'I think the leader was saying... make up your own mind?' Hmm. That's not the usual way of tabloid leaders... #Levesonby martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:31:25 PM
-
How many times have David Cameron and #Coulson spoken since Coulson resigned? When was the last time? #levesonby Labourpress via twitter 5/10/2012 1:31:37 PM
-
"Ridiculous" to suggest the NOTW went easy on Osborne over dominatrix story. Hmmm. #Levesonby cahalmilmo via twitter 5/10/2012 1:32:31 PM
-
'I think the idea we some how went easy on him [Osborne] is ridiculous'. Coulson is inhabiting another universe. #Levesonby martin_hickman via twitter 5/10/2012 1:32:35 PM
-
It took 31 mins for Coulson to mention Osborne/hooker/coke story. Another helpful 'line' of defence for him re political biasby Paul Waugh via twitter 5/10/2012 1:33:24 PM
-
-
1
Heading for America? Prepare for the longest US immigration queues ever
-
2
Boxing: Carl Froch slams fellow Brits for sparring with Mikkel Kessler
-
3
You thought Ryanair's attendants had it bad? Wait 'til you hear about their pilots
-
4
David Cameron goes to war with press over 'swivel-eyed loons' slur
-
5
It’s official: thanks to Stephen Hawking's Israel boycott, anti-Semitism is no more
-
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?
-
World news in pictures
-
You thought Ryanair's attendants had it bad? Wait 'til you hear about their pilots
-
David Cameron goes to war with press over 'swivel-eyed loons' slur
-
Revealed: Eerie new images show forgotten French apartment that was abandoned at the outbreak of World War II and left untouched for 70 years
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
The price of pacifism
From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs
If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer
From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'
The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes
Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals
Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned
Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing?
Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save
The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year
Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat
Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar
A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
