Aid to British PM David Cameron arrested over NOTW scandal

Story from Here and How. Use audio player above to listen to full report.

British police made a round of arrests this morning in the country’s fast-growing scandal over reporting tactics used by the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid, News of the World.

Among those arrested is former NOTW editor Andy Coulson, until recently a top aide to conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Robert Hutton, a reporter for Bloomberg News, attended a press conference called by Cameron today. “The Prime Minister launched a defense of his decision to hire as his press spokesman, Andy Coulson, a man who was only available in 2007 because he had resigned in disgrace as news editor of News of the world,” said Hutton.

Cameron acknowledged that relations between the press and political leaders had become too cozy and called for investigations into the scandal.

Murdoch’s son James announced yesterday that News of the World, once the world’s largest tabloid, would shut down this Sunday.

More about the News of the World scandal:
> News of the World closes, hacking victim speaks out
> Murdoch under fire as tabloid hacking scandal grows

———————————————————————————

“Here and Now” is an essential midday news magazine for those who want the latest news and expanded conversation on today’s hot-button topics: public affairs, foreign policy, science and technology, the arts and more. More “Here and Now”.