David Cameron recalls MPs for phone-hacking discussion

David Cameron will delay summer recess and recall MPs to the House of Commons on Wednesday to discuss the latest phone hacking developments.

The commons was due to begin a six-week break from the end of Tuesday, but the prime minister said it would be "right" to make a statement and update the house. He will return early from a trade trip to Africa to hold the discussion.

The decision comes after pressure from Labour leader Ed Miliband this morning to give MPs the opportunity to debate issues that arise from Tuesday's select committee hearing, which Rebekah Brooks, James Murdoch and Rupert Murdoch will attend.

“Rebekah Brooks has been arrested, the Metropolitan Police commissioner has resigned, tomorrow we will have some of the most important select committee hearings in modern times and the prime minister has decided to leave the country, not to return until after parliament breaks up for summer,” Miliband said.

“Unless the government agrees to parliament meeting on Wednesday, MPs cannot do their jobs properly and the prime minister has no chance of sorting out this crisis.”

Downing Street said it does not expect there to be a session of prime minister's questions – which normally takes place on a Wednesday – but Cameron will make a statement on phone hacking and take questions after.

The prime minister has been criticised over his trip to Africa amid the phone-hacking crisis – cutting short his visit as a result.

The trip was almost scrapped altogether, but it has now been curtailed to just two days – visiting South Africa and Nigeria, while dropping plans to visit Rwanda and Sudan.

Cameron hit back at Tory backbench claims that he was "fleeing the country".

"Just because you are travelling to Africa does not mean you suddenly lose contact with your office," he said.

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