BBC Online :
Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been found guilty of conspiracy to hack phones.
Ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks was cleared of all charges in the phone-hacking trial.
Coulson went on to become director of communications for David Cameron. The prime minister has now apologised for making the appointment.
Royals, celebrities and victims of crime were among those whose phones were hacked by the News of the World.
Speaking after the verdicts were delivered, Cameron said: “I take full
responsibility for employing Andy Coulson.
“I did so on the basis of undertakings I was given by him about phone hacking and those turn out not to be the case.
“I always said that if they turned out to be wrong I would make a full and frank apology and I do that today.
“I am extremely sorry I employed him. It was the wrong decision and I am clear about that.”
David Cameron: “I am extremely sorry I employed him. It was the wrong decision and I am clear about that.”
The prime minister said he had asked Coulson about phone hacking before offering him a job and “accepted his assurances” that he knew nothing of the practice.
“Knowing what I know now, and knowing that those assurances weren’t right, it was obviously wrong to employ him,” he added. “I gave someone a second chance. It turned out to be a bad decision.”
Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been found guilty of conspiracy to hack phones.
Ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks was cleared of all charges in the phone-hacking trial.
Coulson went on to become director of communications for David Cameron. The prime minister has now apologised for making the appointment.
Royals, celebrities and victims of crime were among those whose phones were hacked by the News of the World.
Speaking after the verdicts were delivered, Cameron said: “I take full
responsibility for employing Andy Coulson.
“I did so on the basis of undertakings I was given by him about phone hacking and those turn out not to be the case.
“I always said that if they turned out to be wrong I would make a full and frank apology and I do that today.
“I am extremely sorry I employed him. It was the wrong decision and I am clear about that.”
David Cameron: “I am extremely sorry I employed him. It was the wrong decision and I am clear about that.”
The prime minister said he had asked Coulson about phone hacking before offering him a job and “accepted his assurances” that he knew nothing of the practice.
“Knowing what I know now, and knowing that those assurances weren’t right, it was obviously wrong to employ him,” he added. “I gave someone a second chance. It turned out to be a bad decision.”
