Journalist and political strategist, Andy Coulson was editor of the News of the World from 2003 until his resignation in 2007, following the conviction of one of the newspaper's reporters in relation to illegal phone-hacking. David Cameron appointed Coulson as communications director in 2007. Coulson resigned on 21 January 2011 as reports of News of the World phone hacking intensified. He was arrested 8 July 2011 and in 2014 found guilty of conspiracy to intercept voicemail, serving five months of an 18-month sentence.
Director of Communications for Strathclyde Police at the time of giving evidence. Responsible for all aspects of communications – to stakeholders, members of the public and the media. Outlined generally good relations between press office and the media but acknowledged that the press would always prefer more direct contact with police officers.