News Int’l Paid Coulson in 2007

Andy Coulson, David Cameron’s former communications director, continued to receive substantial payments from News International, even after being hired by the Conservative party, the BBC reported. Coulson resigned as editor of News of the World in January 2007, after one of the paper’s employees was arrested for intercepting voicemail messages. News International agreed to pay him the remainder of his two-year contract, so he received payments through the end of 2007. In July of that year, Coulson began work as director of communications at the Conservative party. One member of the culture, media, and sport committee said that the payments could be considered donations to the Tory party. He said, “Not only was he being paid when he gave evidence to the committee, he failed to declare it.” If the payments are taken to be donations to the party, both News International and the Tory party could face sanctions.