Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, responding to the sentencing of Andy Coulson for his conviction for conspiracy to hack phones, said:

“This a damning verdict for David Cameron as well as Andy Coulson.

“David Cameron brought a criminal into the heart of Downing Street. He was warned, ignored mounting evidence and refused to act. Now, not only is trust in the Prime Minister’s judgement deeply damaged, his Government is tainted.

“This did not happen by chance but by choice. Repeatedly, David Cameron put his relationship with Rupert Murdoch ahead of doing the right thing.

“He chose to defend Andy Coulson when he should have been standing up for the victims of phone-hacking and criminal offences by heeding many warnings and mounting evidence.”