David Cameron will today be the one in the firing line over the phone-hacking scandal amid fresh revelations that risk inflicting more damage on his government.
The Prime Minister faces a renewed grilling from MPs over his links to the media - in particular over his decision to employ former News Of The World editor Andy Coulson.
Mr Cameron, who returned to the UK last night after cutting short a trip to Africa because of the mounting crisis, is expected to flesh out the details of a judicial inquiry into the hacking affair in a Commons statement and debate from 11.30am.
But after the Murdochs, Rebekah Brooks and senior police officers were grilled on Tuesday in an extraordinary series of Commons committee hearings, the Prime Minister will be the one in the firing line.
He is likely to face questions about Neil Wallis, the tabloid's former deputy editor who was arrested last week, after it emerged he had "informally" advised Mr Coulson when he was communications chief at No 10.
In another blow to the Prime Minister, two top police officers told a parliamentary committee that Mr Cameron's chief of staff Ed Llewellyn asked Scotland Yard not to raise the issue of hacking during a Downing Street briefing last year.
Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, who quit at the weekend, and former Assistant Commissioner
John Yates, who stepped down on Monday, told the Home Affairs Select Committee they believed Mr Llewellyn wanted to avoid "compromising" Mr Cameron.
Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig said: "It might be an uncomfortable hour or two for the Prime Minister in the Commons."
He said Mr Cameron will be keen to stress that the furore - which has also claimed the jobs of several media executives - will not distract his government from other priorities, such as the economy and immigration.
There were dramatic scenes in Westminster on Tuesday, a day of public contrition for 80-year-old News Corporation chief Rupert Murdoch and his son James.
Mr Murdoch apologised to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee over the scandal and said it was "the most humble day" of his career - only to be pelted with a plate of shaving foam by a protester just before the session ended.
But Mr Murdoch, who was joined by his son James, chairman of News International (NI)- which published now-defunct News Of The World - said he would not resign.
He said staff who "betrayed" him were the ones to blame. Australian PM Julia Gillard said overnight that Mr Murdoch will next have to answer questions about his media operations there.
Appearing on her own after the Murdochs, Rebekah Brooks, who has quit as NI chief executive, told MPs she first heard about claims murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked when it was reported in the press two weeks ago.
When asked whether she had been lied to by senior employees, Mrs Brooks - who was arrested on Sunday by police investigating hacking and illicit payments to police - declined to answer because of the criminal investigation.
Mrs Brooks insisted her friendship with Mr Cameron was "appropriate" - and dismissed suggestions she had advised Mr Cameron to make Andy Coulson his communications chief.
READ MORE ON THE HACKING SCANDAL
:: Murdoch apologises - but denies ultimate responsibility
:: Brooks first heard of Milly claims in the press
:: Man charged over Murdoch foam attack
:: Outgoing Met chief refuses to apologise for hiring Wallis
:: Cops quizzed: highlights of evidence
Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/hacking-pm-firing-line-over-revelations-042157009.html
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