PM urged to dump spindoctor

By William Green on Sep 6, 10 12:11 PM

SHADOW Home Office Minister Alan Campbell today called on David Cameron to show some "leadership" and ask spin doctor Andy Coulson to "step aside" over the phone hacking row.

The Tynemouth MP spoke out as the row has engulfed Mr Coulson who resigned as editor of the News of the World after its royal reporter and a private investigator were jailed. He denies any knowledge of phone hacking.

Speaking to The Journal, Mr Campbell said: "I had not had any suggestion that I have had my phone hacked. But it is one of the features of this affair that we don't know the true extent of this.

"How many Labour MPs or ministers or Tory MPs have had their phones hacked?"

He added the Metropolitan Police had promised to reopen the inquiry into phone hacking if any new evidence came forward.

Urging police to make good their promise, Mr Campbell insisted new evidence had been produced by the New York Times and former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

"As far as I am concerned the new evidence has been brought forward in the last few days and the investigation should be reopened to look at the full extent of the News of the World operation. It deserves a wider and more serious investigation," said the Shadow Home Office Minister.

He added: "Andy Coulson should step aside while the investigation is taking place and if he doesn't offer to do that, the Prime Minister should show some leadership and tell him to step aside."

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