British prime minister David Cameron admitted today that his communications chief Andy Coulson was "embarrassed” by the continuing row over phone-hacking.
Mr Coulson resigned as editor of the News of the World in 2007 after it emerged that reporters had accessed the voicemails of celebrities and other prominent figures.
He denies being aware of any wrongdoing at the paper, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp media group, and police said last month there was not enough evidence to charge him with any crime.
Mr Cameron refused to confirm reports that Mr Coulson had offered to resign over the issue, and insisted he deserved a “second chance”.
"Obviously, when he was editor of the News of the World, bad things happened at that newspaper," Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "I always think that the danger at the moment is that he is effectively being punished twice for the same offence.
“I gave him a second chance. I think that sometimes in life it is right to give someone a second chance.”
Asked about the suggestion that Mr Coulson had offered to quit, Mr Cameron insisted he would not comment on “private conversations”.
"Of course he, as anyone who is human would be, is extremely embarrassed by the endless publicity and speculation about what happened many years ago when he was editor of the News of the World."
But he praised Mr Coulson’s performance in his current role, saying the Downing Street press office worked in a very “proper” way and he had not received a single complaint.
The Labour Party has questioned Mr Cameron's judgment in appointing Mr Coulson to the role.
The row comes at a sensitive time for News Corp, which is waiting to hear if the British government will clear its planned $12 billion buyout of pay TV operator BSkyB or refer the deal to competition authorities for further investigation.
Losing Mr Coulson would be a blow to the prime minister. He is largely behind the scenes but is seen as effective in helping the government to get its message across at a time of tension over cost-cutting measures.
Agencies