http://news.sky.com/story/1288474/camer ... re-coulson
David Cameron has apologised for employing Andy Coulson as his spin doctor, saying it was the "wrong decision".
Coulson, who was today convicted of phone hacking while he was working at the News of the World, was employed as Downing Street Director of Communications in May 2010, after he had resigned from the newspaper.
Mr Cameron said the former editor had given him "false assurances" he had no involvement in phone hacking and he had wanted to give him a second chance.
The Prime Minister said he was given "undertakings by him on phone hacking and I always said if they turned out to be wrong I would make a full and frank apology and I do that today".
He said: "I am extremely sorry that I employed him. It was the wrong decision and I am very clear about that."
Coulson resigned from his £140,000-a-year role at No 10 in January 2011 after the News of the World allegations intensified insisting he was not involved in the scandal but saying: "When the spokesman needs a spokesman it's time to move on."
In July 2011 Mr Cameron told the House of Commons that if it "turns out I have been lied to, that would be the moment for a profound apology. And, in that event, I can tell you I will not fall short".
A jury at the Old Bailey found Coulson guilty of phone hacking between 2000 and 2006, however, it is still considering its verdicts on conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office.Statistics: Posted by Misspears — 24 Jun 2014, 12:55
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