SCORES OF well-known people are now expected to take civil actions against the Rupert Murdoch-owned News of the Worldover phone-tapping allegations, following yesterday's resignation by British prime minister David Cameron's top communications adviser, Andy Coulson.
Mr Coulson resigned in 2007 as editor of the News of the Worldafter one of the newspaper's journalists and a private investigator were jailed for illegally listening to voicemail messages, but he insisted then and since that he did not know of the practice.
Explaining his decision to quit, Mr Coulson said the controversy has consumed increasing amounts of his time in recent months and made it difficult for him to perform the role required by the prime minister.
Mr Cameron, who has consistently stood by Mr Coulson when others in the Conservative Party believed he should have removed him, said: “He has been a brilliant member of my team and has thrown himself at the job with skill and dedication.”
Three people, including actor Sienna Miller, are taking legal actions against News International; others, including Irish jockey Kieren Fallon, have announced their intention to do so. Other personalities are now expected to come forward.
The affair had cast a shadow over Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation’s bid to take full ownership of BSkyB, particularly since Conservative secretary of state for culture Jeremy Hunt must shortly rule on whether the bid should be referred to the competition authority.
The crown prosecution service is reviewing all of the files prepared by Scotland Yard during its investigation of the allegations, leaving open the prospect of new criminal prosecutions – even though this had been ruled out previously.
The campaign against Mr Coulson over the conduct of the News of the Worldduring his time in charge was run by the Guardian. Few other British newspapers became involved as many of them have employed similar tactics – if not with such frequency.
Labour leader Ed Miliband used the resignation of Mr Coulson to question Mr Cameron’s determination to hold on to his media expert. “I think it raises real questions about David Cameron’s judgment,” he said.
In his resignation statement, Mr Coulson said he would be staying on in Downing Street for some weeks, though few expect him to play a significant role following his departure in the glare of TV cameras yesterday evening.
His exit has emboldened those who believe Scotland Yard was too timorous in its investigation of the allegations, fearful it would damage its own relationship with News International’s papers.
Labour MP Chris Bryant said: “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.”
Former Labour communications chief Alastair Campbell said,meanwhile: “The truth on the phone hacking is being dragged kicking and screaming from a reluctant News Corp and a reluctant police. It is being dragged nonetheless and even if it should not be tied up with the takeover, it is.”
