Leak arrest Tory made phone call to Coulson

The Tory MP Damian Green used his one phone call when he was arrested over Home Office leaks to ring Andy Coulson, the Leveson Inquiry has been told.

He chose to contact the former News of the World editor when he was held by police on 27 November, 2008, according to the officer who led the investigation.

Scotland Yard's former assistant commissioner Bob Quick said Mr Green, who was the shadow Immigration minister at the time of his arrest, rang Mr Coulson, then the Conservative Party's director of communications, from Belgravia police station in London. Mr Quick said in a written statement to the inquiry: "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.

"Green nominated Andy Coulson and was allowed to make one call to Mr Coulson."

Mr Coulson was arrested by police on suspicion of phone hacking and corruption last July. He was bailed and has not been charged.