Key people to watch as News of the World scandal unfolds

4. Andy Coulson

Lewis Whyld/AP
Former British government communication chief and editor of the News of the World Andy Coulson leaves his house in London on July 9.

Mr. Coulson followed Brooks as editor of News of the World when she left to lead The Sun, another News Corp. publication in Britain. He edited NotW from 2003 to 2007, when the phone hacking allegedly took place, according to The Christian Science Monitor. He resigned after a NotW reporter was convicted for hacking into Prince Harry’s cell phone, although he denied that he knew what the reporter was doing.

Coulson joined the Conservative Party ranks after his stint as editor and became Prime Minister David Cameron’s communications chief when Mr. Cameron took office. Coulson resigned from that post in January, when the phone hacking allegations began to trickle out.

Coulson is also under scrutiny now because he did not receive a full vetting before receiving top security clearance for Downing Street.

4 of 8
You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.