Tory leader backs ex-editor over alleged phone-tapping

CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron yesterday criticised journalists guilty of “unacceptable practices” but continued to back the former British tabloid newspaper editor who heads his media relations team.

Cameron — in an apparent reference to press reports of alleged phone-tapping by private investigators working for journalists employed by the group which owns the News of the World — said newspapers do “wrong things”. But he said he stood by his view that there was no need for Andy Coulson, a former News of the World editor who is the Tory leader’s director of communications, to resign.

“There is no doubt that some [newspapers] do wrong things,” said Cameron, while answering questions from pensioners in Norwich.