Cameron regrets hiring his former adviser Coulson
British Prime Minister David Cameron has regretted hiring his controversial former adviser Andy Coulson in retrospect. Cameron said this during the special debate in the British parliament.
If he had known what he knows today, he would not have appointed the former editor-in-chief of the scandalous News of the World as his government's head of communications, Cameron said. "It was my decision and I take responsibility for it," said Cameron. He regretted it and was sorry that he had caused so much turmoil, said the British head of government. However, it must first be established whether Coulson is actually guilty.
Cameron had come under fire because Coulson was alleged to have known about the tabloid's bugging and bribery methods during his time there. Coulson resigned as the government's head of communications in January.
The scandal surrounding bribes to the police and thousands of tapped phones at media mogul Rupert Murdoch's now defunct newspaper had severely damaged "public confidence in the police and the press", said Cameron. That is why the planned judicial committee of inquiry should not only uncover the practices at newspapers, but also at television stations and social media.
The first report is due to be published in twelve months. The committee, which is chaired by a judge, will also include former journalists from major media companies. Cameron also wants to take more decisive action against corruption in the police force. The bugging scandal raises questions about the morals and values of the police. He will look for ways to put together a new leadership team for the British police force, the Prime Minister added. (SDA)
> Murdoch rejects responsibility for wiretapping scandal
