Former News of the World editor and Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson has been released from jail after serving less than five months of an 18-month sentence. Coulson was convicted in July of conspiring to intercept voicemails. He will continue to wear an electronic tag until at least half his full sentence has been served. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said of the early release, “Public protection is our first priority. Only prisoners who pass a strict risk assessment can be released on HDC [home detention curfew] arrangements.
