By Kevin McCauley
Andy Coulson, communications director for British Prime Minister David Cameron, is stepping down as controversy swirls about his possible connection to the News of the World hacking scandal.
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He was editor-in-chief of the Rupert Murdoch property in 2007 when a reporter and investigator pleaded guilty to illegally intercepting calls to aides to Prince William and Prince Harry.
Coulson then resigned from the paper, but claimed the hacking was a one-time incident. He became spokesperson for Cameron’s conservative party.
British police have launched fresh investigations into whether the hacking extended to the calls of celebrities. Several lawsuits have been filed.
In a statement, Coulson said continued coverage of the News of the World scandal makes it difficult to “give the 110 percent” needed to serve Cameron, adding “when a spokesman needs a spokesman it’s time to move on.”
Coulson will leave his government post in a few weeks.
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