PM delays recess for phone-hack questions

David Cameron said the Commons would sit on Wednesday, the day after MPs are due to begin their summer break, so he could “answer any questions that may arise”.

The decision follows the resignation of the Metropolitan Police chief, Sir Paul Stephenson, who quit on Sunday amid the ongoing phone hacking saga. Over the weekend former News International Chief Executive Rebekah Brooks was arrested.

Speaking in South Africa, Mr Cameron said the priority now was a full and fair investigation.

The Prime Minister has already cut his trip short by two days to tackle the crisis, but was forced by British journalists at a press conference to defend his presence there as well as to defend himself over his hiring of Andy Coulson.

Parting shot at David Cameron?

The questions over Mr Coulson arose because Sir Paul’s resignation statement included what some are taking as a parting shot at Mr Cameron.

In his reasons for resigning, the former Met boss cited allegations about his association with former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis, who was arrested last week as part of the police investigation into phone hacking.

The Met hired Mr Wallis as a consultant in 2009, but in his speech Sir Paul appeared to suggest that this was less controversial than the PM employing Mr Coulson.

Mr Coulson, the Prime Minister’s former communications chief, was arrested earlier this month in connection with the police investigation into phone hacking which took place while he was editor of the News of the World.

Sir Paul said: “Unlike Mr Coulson, Mr Wallis had not resigned from News of the World or, to the best of my knowledge, been in any way associated with the original phone hacking investigation.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband also pointed out the different attitudes at the Met and at Number 10.

“It is striking that Sir Paul Stephenson has taken responsibility and resigned over the employment of Mr Coulson’s deputy, while the Prime Minister hasn’t even apologised for hiring Mr Coulson,” he said.

He also praised the victims of phone hacking for coming forward.

Watch Ed Miliband on the latest phone hacking developments below.

But the Prime Minister said: “The situation in the Metropolitan Police Service is really quite different to the situation in the Government, not least because the issues that the Metropolitan Police are looking at, the issues around them, have had a direct bearing on public confidence into the police inquiry into the News of the World and indeed into the police themselves.”

He added: “For my part what I would say is that we have taken very decisive action. We have set up a judicial inquiry that can look at all aspects of these issues.

“We have helped to ensure a large and properly resourced police investigation that can get to the bottom of what happened, and wrongdoing, and we have pretty much demonstrated complete transparency in terms of media contact.”

Mr Cameron said he had already answered questions “at length” over the issues surrounding Mr Coulson and phone hacking.

“There are of course important issues today with the Home Secretary’s statement. There will also be select committee hearings on Tuesday,” he said.

“I think it may well be right to have Parliament meet on Wednesday so I can make a further statement updating the house on the final parts of this judicial inquiry and answer any questions that may arise from what is being announced today and tomorrow.”

Rebekah Brooks’ statement
Former News International Chief Executive and News of the World editor, Rebekah Brooks, was arrested on Sunday. She was later released on bail.

A statement on the arrest from Ms Brooks’ solicitor, Stephen Parkinson of Kingsley Napley, said: “The position of Rebekah Brooks can be simply stated. She is not guilty of any criminal offence. The position of the Metropolitan Police is less easy to understand.

“Despite arresting her yesterday and conducting an interview process lasting nine hours, they put no allegations to her and showed her no documents connecting her with any crime. They will in due course have to give an account of their actions and in particular their decision to arrest her with the enormous reputational damage that this has involved.

“In the meantime, Mrs Brooks has an appointment with the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee tomorrow. She remains willing to attend and to answer questions. It is a matter for Parliament to decide what issues to put to her and whether her appointment should place at a later date.”