Andy Coulson was never given top security clearance in government

[rpannier]

Andy Coulson did not face the rigorous government security checks into his background that most recent Downing Street press chiefs have undergone, it emerged on Wednesday.

The former News of the World editor was granted only mid-level security clearance when he was appointed by David Cameron as his director of communications, so avoiding "developed vetting" involving a detailed interview by government investigators looking for anything in his past that could compromise him.

The checks would have involved a review of his personal finances and cross-examination by investigators of referees, who could include friends and family. Coulson would have been asked by government vetters, some of whom are former police officers, such questions as: "Is there anything else in your life you think it appropriate for us to know?"

snip

The Cabinet Office denied that Coulson was spared high-level security vetting to avoid any potentially embarrassing information coming out which could have compromised his appointment.


link:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/20/andy-coulson-security-clearance-checks

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. Cameron is knee deep in this thing.

No top level security isn't only a lack of vetting - it is Plausible Deniability.

[Rex]

2. Wow, the crime and corruption during the Poodle/Bish days

is truly astounding and I wonder just how many high level govt officials on both sides of the pond have been 'compromised'. A level of criminality never seen before. And all covered up by authority...makes one wonder.

[rpannier]

4. That's what I find so interesting about this

I watched David Cameron on the floor of Parliament and as he slimed his way around he said one thing that I found interesting. Labour and the SD have former employees of News of the World working for them.
Made me wonder about Murdoch's influence over all 3 major parties.

[underpants]

3. He didn't need it - he had people hacking into phone lines

[rpannier]

5. Probably hacking the phone lines of people who would have done the investigation