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30 May 2012updated 04 Oct 2023 9:56am

Coulson detained on suspicion of perjury

Former News of the World editor's woes continue.

By George Eaton

Andy Coulson’s woes continue to multiply. The news broke this morning that the former Screws editor had been detained by Strathclyde police on suspicion of perjury. Under Scottish law, police now have six hours to question Coulson and then either charge or release him.

The latest allegations date back to the Tommy Sheridan trial in December 2010, a period when he was still serving as David Cameron’s director of communications. As I’ve previously noted, Coulson was asked by Sheridan (who acted as his own counsel): “did the News of the World pay corrupt police officers?” to which he replied: “Not to my knowledge.”

It’s a further blow to Cameron’s attempts to relaunch his government. Every piece of bad news about Coulson provides Labour with another chance to remind voters that Cameron hired him.

For the record, Coulson was arrested last July on suspicion of phone-hacking and corruption and had his bail extended earlier this month.

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