Hacked off

THE Home Secretary was quite right when she said that the police's independence must be protected from political interference. However, Theresa May's defence was weakened by the lack of candour that the Metropolitan Police has shown over the escalating phone-hacking scandal.

While the Home Secretary's position was not made any easier by the reluctance of some to make new evidence available to the police, she should, at the very least, have offered to order an independent inquiry, to be headed by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, if concerns persist about the Met's handling of this matter.

Of course, some will say that this a politically-orchestrated campaign. However, the concerns of Alan Johnson and John Prescott need to be placed in perspective. They are not frivolous politicians. One is a former Home Secretary who knows more than most about the case, while the other contends that his phone was bugged when he was serving the country as Deputy Prime Minister.

Unless there is far greater transparency, and the police clarify how they intend to respond to the welter of allegations, this is likely to reflect badly on a coalition Government that has promised to end the surveillance state.

This is, after all, a government whose communications supremo is one Andy Coulson – the editor of the News of the World when its royal correspondent was jailed for telephone hacking.

Until such clarity is provided, the jury will remain out on the Prime Minister's judgment – and Mr Coulson's ability to retain his job.