Cameron Defends Under-Fire Adviser

David Cameron has vowed to stand by a former News of the World journalist - now working as a top Tory media adviser - accused of allowing phone tapping to be carried out under his watch as editor of the paper.

Today there were renewed calls for the sacking of Conservative communications director Andy Coulson, as Scotland Yard re-opened its investigation into claims, as did the Press Complaints Commission.

It is alleged thousands of public figured were subjected to illegal phone tapping by the Sunday tabloid, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Conservative leader, Mr Cameron, said it was wrong for any newspaper to breach an individual's privacy without justification.

Defending his adviser, he said: "I believe in giving people a second chance. As director of communications for the Conservatives he does an excellent job in a proper, upright way at all times."

Mr Coulson resigned from the News of the World in 2007 in the wake of legal proceedings taken against a reporter who hacked into the voice mail of a young Royal.

At the time the newspaper insisted the 'rouge' journalist did so without editorial authority.

Royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed over the incident.

It has now come to light that over £1m has been paid out by News of the World parent company News Group Newspapers in similar cases.

Yesterday Mr Coulson said: "This story relates to an alleged payment made after I left the News of the World two and half years ago. I took full responsibility at the time for what happened on my watch but without my knowledge and resigned."

However, pressuring is mounting on Mr Cameron to dismiss the press director, with several high profile politicians questioning Mr Coulson's suitability for the jobs.

John Prescott, who was among those believed to have had their mobile phones hacked, is angered by the police's handling of the situation.

The former deputy prime minister said: "I find it staggering that there could be a list known to the police of people who had their phone tapped.

"I'm named as one of them. For such a criminal act not to be reported to me, and for action not to be taken against the people who have done it, reflects very badly on the police, and I want to know their answer."

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "The Metropolitan Police Service carried out an investigation into the alleged unlawful interception of telephone calls. Officers liaised closely with the Crown Prosecution Service. Two people (Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire) were charged and subsequently convicted and jailed. We are not prepared to comment further."

Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor was paid £700,000 in a settlement with News Group, as well as two others who received undisclosed sums.

They may have been among thousands of public figures whose privacy was potentially breached by private investigators allegedly hired by the News of the World.

The Guardian's disclosure could lead to hundreds of fresh legal actions, it has been claimes.

(PR/JM)