Public Confidence in the Media and Police

Lord Cryer Excerpts

Wednesday 20th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I remind the House that I have not been hiring people at all. I call Mr John Cryer.

[John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The House will listen to Mr John Cryer.

[John Cryer]

On 8 July the Prime Minister said that he had commissioned a company to do a basic background check on Coulson. For the fourth time, I am asking for the name of the company. It is a pretty simple question; just come to the Dispatch Box and name the company.

[The Prime Minister]

We did hire a company to do a basic background check, and that is an entirely appropriate thing to do, and it was an entirely appropriate report. But I have to say, the reason I hired him was above all the assurances that he gave me. That is the key part of the decision and that is what I am prepared to say.