Arrested MP ‘called Coulson from inside police station’

An MP made an emergency phone call to Andy Coulson following his arrest on suspicion of receiving national security leaks, the Leveson inquiry has heard.

Tory MP Damian Green allegedly chose to contact the former News of the World editor after he was seized by detectives investigating the unauthorised disclosure of information from a safe in the Home Secretary’s private office.

Former Scotland Yard counter-terror chief Bob Quick, who led the 2008 probe into Mr Green, told the Leveson inquiry that the MP called David Cameron’s chief spin doctor from Beglravia police station.

The ex-assistant commissioner also claimed that Mr Green, who is now Immigration Secretary, claimed to be “too tired” to be interviewed by police shortly after his call to Mr Coulson.

“At the police station Green went through the normal reception processes and, in accordance with standard procedure, was asked to nominate a person to be notified of his arrest and to whom he would be allowed one phone call,” Mr Quick said in his written statement to the Inquiry.

“Green nominated Andy Coulson and was allowed to make one call to Mr Coulson. At the time Mr Coulson was director of communications for the Conservative party. Then ... Green claimed to be too tired to be interviewed.”

He was released soon afterwards and immediately travelled to give a “live television interview” in front of the Palace of Westminster.

The inquiry continues.