Andy Coulson verdict: questions remain for David Cameron and others

Ex-NoW editors reputation is tarnished but the fallout could also damage the politicians who appointed him to No 10

Long before the jury returned its verdict, evidence disclosed at the Old Bailey trial had devastated Andy Coulsons reputation, clearly suggesting that he had misled the prime minister and parliament about his knowledge of crime at the News of the World. His conviction for conspiring to hack phones on Tuesday will add a possible prison sentence to the ruin of his career.

The ease with which he was able to fool the Conservative leadership will also add weight to questions about David Camerons judgment in hiring the former News of the World editor without checking his background and about the reliability of evidence that the prime minister gave under oath to the Leveson inquiry.

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