No inquiry over Coulson claims

The parliamentary sleaze watchdog has rejected a call to investigate former Downing Street spin chief Andy Coulson over allegations that he failed to declare income from News International.

Mr Coulson became David Cameron’s communications director in July 2007, and received a parliamentary pass sponsored by the then Tory leader.

Labour MP Tom Watson filed a complaint last month after it was claimed that Mr Coulson had continued receiving health insurance, a car and severance payments from the News of the World after his resignation as editor. Anyone with a pass must declare work for which they receive more than £329 in a year.