Phone-tapping demands rejected

Answering urgent questions on the controversy yesterday, Mrs May insisted the decision on whether to reopen the investigation was for Scotland Yard and ministers would not interfere.

The comments came after Number 10 communications chief Andy Coulson, the former editor of the News of the World, told police he would be happy to meet them voluntarily to discuss the latest claims.

Controversy over the case erupted again after ex-News of the World journalist Sean Hoare claimed in an interview with the New York Times that Mr Coulson knew of eavesdropping tactics used during his time in charge at the Sunday newspaper.

Its former royal editor, Clive Goodman, and a private investigator, were jailed in 2007 following disclosures that phones belonging to public figures had been targeted.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister retained full confidence in Mr Coulson, who has consistently denied any knowledge of the activities, and that the new allegations made no difference to his position.

But Labour MPs lined up to grill Mrs May on the issue after she was summoned to the Commons.

Shadow Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he was reassured by the Met when in government last year that they had not received any allegations about other journalists.

The police had also pledged to take "all proper steps" to inform victims or suspected victims of phone tapping, he said.

"You must subject the actions of the Metropolitan Police Service in this case to greater scrutiny in the light of this allegation and the new revelations from the New York Times," he insisted.

Backbencher Tom Watson said Mrs May must not join a "conspiracy" to undermine the "integrity of our democracy".

He called on her to confirm that Tony Blair had asked Scotland Yard whether his phone was hacked – a suggestion the former Prime Minister's office has yet to shed light on.

But the Home Secretary batted away demands for details, saying: "There have recently been allegations connected to this investigation in the New York Times newspaper.

"Any police investigation is an operational matter in which ministers have no role."

She added: "The Metropolitan Police have indicated that if there is further evidence, they will look at it.

"That is the right course of action and it is right for the Government to await the outcome."

A spokesman for Mr Coulson said: "Mr Coulson emphatically denies these allegations. He has, however, offered to talk to officers if the need arises and would welcome the opportunity to give his view on Mr Hoare's claims."

Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner John Yates said he would be prepared to investigate Mr Hoare's allegations;

"This is the first time we have heard of Mr Hoare or anything he has to say. We focused our resources where we thought we could get the best evidence," he told reporters and denied the original probe had been mishandled.

In a statement, the News of the World accused the New York Times of being motivated by commercial rivalry.

Comment: page 12.