Sir Paul: Phone-hacking scandal 'damnably unlucky'

Tuesday, 19 July 2011 1:00 PM

By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt

Sir Paul's Stephenson's contact with Neil Wallis was "damnably unlucky", he has told the home affairs committee.

The Met commissioner, whose resignation was triggered by his subsequent contracts with Mr Wallis after he left the News of the World, tried to play down the relationship when answering questions from MPs.

Sir Paul said he was unaware that Mr Wallis worked in a PR capacity for a health spa he stayed at.

It was "damnably unlucky Mr Wallis was connected with this," he said.

He took a similar attitude when discussing Mr Wallis employment as a communications consultant for the Met.

"It's a distortion to say Andy Coulson worked for David Cameron and Mr Wallis worked for me," he continued.

"This was a minor part-time role through which I received some advice.

"With the benefits of what we know now I regret going into that contract, because it's embarrassing."

Sir Paul was told by MPs that Mr Wallis' £1,000-a-day salary on a two-day a week contract did not seem to amount to a minor role.

"I was told he was the cheapest person available," Sir Paul replied.
 

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• neil wallis
,
• phone hacking
,
• sir paul stephenson