The British Prime Minister has apologized for employing a former lieutenant of media baron Rupert Murdoch who has been found guilty of conspiracy to hack phones for one of Murdoch’s tabloids, the now-defunct News of the World.  Andrew Coulson now faces up to two years in prison.

“I am extremely sorry I employed him.  It was the wrong decision,” said Prime Minister David Cameron.

The News of the World trial wound up with a guilty verdict for Coulson on a charge of conspiracy to intercept voicemails.  But four codefendants, including his predecessor Rebekah Brooks were found not guilty of various charges including phone hacking and obstruction.

The News of the World hacked the mobile phones of royals, celebrities, and even victims of violent crimes to get “scoops” on salacious details to obtain details of real stories or just gossip.  Murdoch’s company spent US$500 Million on its defense, and was eventually split in two.

David Cameron hired Andy Coulson as his media chief in 2007, and took him with to Downing Street in 2010.  But Coulson was forced to step down in 2011 as accusations began to mount in the news of the World hacking scandal.

Labor leader Ed Miliband said, “This isn’t just a serious error of judgment; it taints David Cameron’s government.”