Coulson would not have been hired 'with hindsight', says PM

David Cameron has said with "20:20 hindsight" he would not have offered Andy Coulson the job of director of communications.

Addressing the House of Commons, following his decision to extend parliament by a day to enable a debate on phone hacking, Cameron still sought to defend his decision at the time.

"People will, of course, make judgements. With 20:20 hindsight I would not have offered the job and I expect he would not have accepted it. But you don't make decisions with hindsight."

Coulson, former editor of the News of the World, resigned from his Downing Street post in January. He was arrested earlier this month by police in connection with phone hacking and corruption allegations.

Cameron was today (20 July) asked by former justice secretary Jack Straw what his reaction was upon reading the New York Times' investigation into phone hacking, which carried allegations against Andy Coulson in September last year.

Coulson has repeatedly denied knowledge of wrongdoing at the News of the World when he was editor.

The prime minister responded saying there was nothing in the article that would have made him change his mind at the time and that the decision to employ him was made "in good faith".

Labour leader Ed Miliband accused Cameron of being "hamstrung by a conflict of interest" over Coulson.

"Given the New York Times evidence, the public will rightly have expected very loud alarm bells to ring in the PM's mind but apparently he did nothing."

"The prime minister was caught in a tragic conflict of loyalty," he added.

Discussing the wider issue of the relationship between politicians and the media, Cameron said the matter of media regulation has been put "on the backburner" in the past. Both he and Labour leader Ed Miliband have called for the current system to be replaced.

"It's not just the relationship with News International, it is also the work we do to win over the BBC, or the Independent or the Guardian. Let's be frank about this."

BSkyB bid

During the debate, the prime minister was repeatedly asked if was ever involved in discussions on the BSkyB bid, ultimately withdrawn by News Corporation.

He initially said he had asked to be taken out of the conversation and said he did not know when many of the key announcements were going to be made.

After further questions on the topic, Cameron added that he "didn't have any inappropriate conversations" with News International.

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