Former British PM press director appears before Leveson inquiry

(Op-ed) Roy Greenslade Thursday 10th May, 2012

Andy Coulson, the former PR Director for UK PM David Cameron, has appeared before the Leveson inquiry to give evidence in the wake of the UK hacking scandal. The inquiry, a probe into media ethics, was set up by Coulson's old boss (Cameron).

• And Coulson was editor of News of the World

• Also served as Communications Director for British PM

• Tells inquiry TV has more influence than newspapers

Andy Coulson, former editor of Rupert Murdoch's News of the World, and ex-Communications Director for British PM David Cameron, played it brilliantly at the Leveson inquiry on Thursday.

He managed, under oath, to address coded messages to three constituencies quite separate from Lord Justice Leveson's team News Corporation, No 10 and the public.

It struck me that in all three instances he wanted to be seen as a stand-up guy. And it worked. There was no hint of sour grapes.

He was careful not to be in the least bit critical of his former employers, including Rupert Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks. (He is, of course, engaged in a legal action to pressure the company to fund his legal fees).

He was also cautious in answering every question relating to David Cameron and George Osborne, wishing to underline that he remains loyal to the Tory party he served so well as director of communications.

As for the wider public, he came across as a straightforward man of the people. As one tweeting journalist pointed out, he was one of the only people to appear at the inquiry who did not have a posh accent.

Like many a previous witness, he appeared a little nervous at first. But he relaxed once he got the measure of the questions from the inquiry's lead counsel, Robert Jay QC.

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