News of the World ex-editor Coulson jailed

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson – who was subsequently appointed by prime minister David Cameron as director of communications – was today arrested by police investigating phone hacking and other malpractices by the tabloid.

After News of the World announced on Thursday that it was shutting down in the face of a series of scandals, Cameron defended his decision to give Coulson a "second chance" and employ him as his director of communications - a job he has since quit.

The prime minister announced two inquiries - one led by a judge - into the phone hacking allegations and the newspaper's ethics.

Coulson, 43, was arrested by detectives investigating allegations of hacking the phones of various people in the news and is also being questioned about corruption allegations.

He was arrested by appointment at a south London police station and is in custody, although he has consistently denied any connection with the phone-tapping scandal.

Cameron said of Coulson, "I became friends with him and I think he did his job for me in a very effective way. He became a friend and he is a friend."