Andy Coulson and a career of controversy

“When the spokesman needs a spokesman it’s time to move on.”

Those words may have ended Andy Coulson’s tenure at 10 Downing Street, but the journalist-turned-PR-man remained inextricably linked to the News of the World scandal.

The controversy followed him into politics and, despite what he may have hoped, failed to die down when he left.

In the months since resigning as David Cameron’s communications chief, Coulson has been under public scrutiny more than ever.

A controversial career

It took just over 20 years for him to rise from the ranks of the Basildon Echo to become the Prime Minister’s spokesman; much of the intervening period was spent at Rupert Murdoch’s News International.

It was his time at the News of the World – what he did and did not know – that has led to this week’s unprecedented developments.

Coulson joined the News of the World in 2000 as Rebekah Brooks’ deputy. When Brooks moved to the Sun in 2003 Coulson took the top job.

Under his leadership the News of the World was an award-winning newspaper. In 2005 Coulson was quoted as saying the tabloid existed to expose “crime and hypocrisy”.

His tenure resulted in a number of high profile exclusives focusing on celebrities, sports stars and politicians.

He would remain in charge until 2007 when he resigned on the day the paper’s royal editor, Clive Goodman, was jailed for phone hacking.

Coulson said he had to take “ultimate responsibility” for what had happened while he was in charge.

A series of denials

Coulson always denied knowledge of phone hacking: he made denials in public, denials to MPs and denials, under oath, in court.

In July 2009 he told the MPs on the Commons culture, media and sport select committee inquiry into the phone hacking scandal that “mistakes were made” during his time as editor of the News of the World.

But Coulson said he did not condone hacking and had “no recollection” of it taking place. He also rejected claims that the NoW had a systemic culture of phone hacking.

In December 2010, during Tommy Sheridan’s perjury trial in Glasgow, the former editor also denied knowledge of his journalists paying corrupt police officers.

Read more: Coulson evidence adds another twist to NoW saga

It was shortly after this court appearance that Andy Coulson stepped down as David Cameron’s communications chief.

Earlier this week, News International revealed it sent emails to the police which showed Andy Coulson, when he worked at the News of the World, authorised payments to police officers.

Now, more than ever, Andy Coulson, the former spokesman, needs a spokesman.