DAVID Cameron almost caused the phone-hacking trial to collapse while the jury was still deliberating the remaining charges on Andy Coulson, it can now be revealed.
David Cameron commented before charges over Andy Coulson and Clive Goodman had been considered[PA/REUTERS/GETTY]
The Prime Minister was heavily criticised for the comments he made yesterday after Coulson was found guilty of plotting to hack phones at the News of the World, but while verdicts were pending on other charges.Trial judge Mr Justice Saunders said he was "very concerned" about Mr Cameron's remarks.Yesterday, the PM led the way in what the judge described as "open season" by immediately offering a public apology for hiring Coulson in 2007. Andy Coulson now faces up to two years in prison when he is sentenced next week
At the time, the jury was still deliberating on two remaining counts against Coulson, 46, of allegedly conspiring with former NotW royal editor Clive Goodman, 56, to commit misconduct in a public office in relation to paying police officers for two royal phone directories.Jurors have now been discharged, not because of prejudicial comments but because they failed to reach verdicts on the final charges after nine days deliberation.Coulson now faces up to two years in prison when he is sentenced next week. His ex-lover and colleague Rebekah Brooks was cleared of all charges yesterday. A decision will be made on Monday on whether to order a re-trial for Coulson and Mr Goodman.
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