British PM to apologize if ex-aide lied about phone hacking involvement

British Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking during an emergency session of parliament, said Wednesday that he will offer a “profound apology” if his former communications director Andy Coulson is found to have lied about his involvement in the phone hacking scandal. Coulson, who was once editor of the now-defunct News of the World tabloid at the centre of the controversy, has been arrested in connection with the scandal. Cameron said that if Coulson knew about the hacking of cell phones, he could expect to face severe criminal charges for perjury. Opposition leader Ed Miliband called for Cameron to apologize immediately for hiring Coulson as his communications director. The emergency parliamentary session is being held a day after a hearing in which News Corp. head Rupert Murdoch, his son James, and former executive Rebekah Brooks were grilled about the scandal.

CBC News