PM's spin doctor quizzed by police over phone-hacking controversy

PRESSURE last night mounted on David Cameron after his communications director Andy Coulson was questioned by police investigating allegations of phone-hacking when he was in charge of a Sunday newspaper.

A Downing Street spokesman confirmed yesterday that Coulson attended a meeting with Metropolitan Police officers voluntarily on Thursday and was interviewed as a witness.

Mr Coulson was editor of the News of the World at the time when one of its reporters was jailed for conspiracy to access phone messages involving Prince William and Harry, but has always insisted he did not know about or authorise the activity.

A Metropolitan Police inquiry was revived following an investigation by the New York Times earlier this year which alleged that the practice was more widespread than previously admitted. Coulson may also be called as a witness in the Tommy Sheridan trial.

Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour Party, said there was doubt over Cameron's judgement: "The continued presence of Andy Coulson as director of communications at Number 10 when question marks hang over him casts doubt over David Cameron's judgement. It is time he took this matter seriously."