Coulson 'happy to meet police' (From Haringey Independent)

Coulson 'happy to meet police'

11:37am Monday 6th September 2010 in

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Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson has told police that he would be happy to meet them voluntarily to discuss fresh phone-hacking allegations.

Friends stressed that he had not been contacted by police, but a spokesman for the former News of the World (NotW) editor said he would be prepared to co-operate with Scotland Yard following claims by ex-NotW journalist Sean Hoare.

A spokesman for the aide said: "Mr Coulson emphatically denies these allegations. He has, however, offered to talk to officers if the need arises and would welcome the opportunity to give his view on Mr Hoare's claims."

Mr Hoare has claimed Mr Coulson knew of eavesdropping tactics used at the newspaper during his time in charge, something he has consistently denied.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates said that he would be prepared to investigate Mr Hoare's allegations, which first surfaced in the New York Times.

Mr Coulson came under renewed pressure last week after former journalists told the US paper that the practice of phone hacking was far more extensive than the News of the World acknowledged at the time.

Labour MPs and ex-deputy prime minister Lord Prescott have called for a fresh inquiry. Additionally, Lord Prescott is also seeking clarification from the Met over whether his phone was tapped.

Mr Yates told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "We have always said that if any new material, new evidence, was produced we would consider it."

The NotW's former royal editor, Clive Goodman, and a private investigator used by the newspaper were jailed in 2007 following phone hacking revelations.

Mr Coulson said at the time that he had not known of the practice but resigned his editorship, before joining then opposition leader David Cameron as communications chief, moving with him into No 10.