Coulson And Cameron 'Loyal To Each Other

    Andy Coulson leaves after giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry

He is one of the most discussed figures in the ongoing scandal about hacking and media ethics.

He is perhaps the only leading character in the story who has enjoyed senior positions at both News International and the Government.
He is - or was - very close to both Rebekah Brooks and David Cameron.
But - until now - Andy Coulson has hardly spoken in public on the scandal at all.
So it is little wonder that Mr Coulson's evidence at the Leveson Inquiry was one of the most hotly anticipated.
Most will, I think, feel the session was rather less explosive than expected.
This was, of course, mainly because Robert Jay QC was forced to steer away from questions about hacking, because of the ongoing police investigation. Hacking felt like the elephant in the room.
And anyone who expected Mr Coulson to turn on Mr Cameron was mistaken. It is clear the two men are loyal to each other - the PM only severed ties with Mr Coulson when he was forced.
In his witness statement, Mr Coulson could not have been clearer on his views: "He is a hard-working and inspirational boss, leader and a thoroughly decent, moral man."

     Andy Coulson was formerly David Cameron's press chief

That is not to say there was nothing in the evidence that did not put pressure on the Prime Minister.
The former editor made clear he saw sensitive documents at No 10 despite the fact his security status was not at the highest level. Mr Cameron himself told him that "background security checks had been made".
And the forensic questioning over how he was headhunted for the director of communications job will have left many wondering: just why did the Prime Minister hire someone who had resigned over hacking during his editorship?
But while Mr Coulson adopted a low-key style, he was firm in his assertions that he had done nothing wrong and was often pointed in his criticism of the inquiry.
"You seem to have a disparaging view of ex-showbiz journalists," he berated Mr Jay.
And he took exception to the suggestion that people in politics have friendships just due to "ulterior motives".
His concluding statement was clear: if more barriers are placed between politicians and the press, it will be harder to report politics and the result will be more apathy.