Coulson denies Tory-Murdoch 'conspiracy' - Sky News Australia

Updated: 15:24, Friday May 11, 2012

David Cameron's former spin doctor Andy Coulson has denied any 'grand conspiracy' between the Government and Rupert Murdoch's News International as he gave evidence to the Leveson inquiry.

Mr Coulson, 44, denied he was hired by the Conservatives because of his links to the newspaper group.

And he insisted he saw nothing 'improper or inappropriate' between the press and politicians during his time as director of communications.

The former News Of The World (NOTW) editor was asked about Prime Minister David Cameron's admission last July that politicians and the media had become 'too close'.

Anyone who expected Mr Coulson to turn on Mr Cameron was mistaken. It is clear the two men are loyal to each other - the PM only severed ties with Mr Coulson when he was forced.

Mr Coulson said: 'I look at it from the perspective of whether or not there was improper conversations or a deal done, which I think is all part of this sort of grand conspiracy that sort of sits over this idea.

'I never saw a conversation, was party to a conversation that to my mind was inappropriate in that way.'

Mr Coulson resigned as NOTW editor after royal reporter Clive Goodman was convicted of phone hacking in January 2007.

Mr Coulson has always denied he knew it was going on at his paper.