What they’re saying about: The phone-hacking scandal

After yesterday's revelations in the Guardian about how the News of the World used private investigators to hack into the voicemail’s of celebrities including Sir Alex Ferguson, Jude Law, Nigella Lawson and Elle MacPherson (pictured), there has been broad criticism of this press practice. Angered by the invasion of their privacy, some of the hackers’ victims are considering taking legal action. And David Cameron has had to come to the defence of his spin doctor Andy Coulson, who was the editor of the News of the World while some of the hacking occured.

What they're saying:

Steve Richards, The Independent: The fact that Cameron offers his unqualified support suggests that he is wholly confident that no evidence will surface which will condemn Coulson. This is the big difference with the Damian McBride affair. McBride was foolish enough to write an email (we still do not know how others got hold of it, but he was stupid to write it). In McBride's case there was no get-out clause: The proof was in front of everyone's eyes. In the case of Coulson we have no direct evidence of guilt. If that remains the case he will survive, especially in the light of Cameron's endorsement.

Ian Burrell, The Independent: The Fleet Street practice of paying investigators for the provision of ex-directory telephone numbers, criminal records and other confidential information has been widely documented. Known as "blagging", it was once widespread, but – officially – is no longer deployed. In 2006, after a raid on a firm of Hampshire private investigators, the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, published a report, What Price Privacy Now? It revealed that blagging was prevalent not only at Wapping, but at the Mirror titles, at The Guardian's sister title, The Observer, and women's magazines such as Best and Closer. The investigation firm's biggest clients were the Daily Mail, which made at least 952 requests for secret information, according to seized documents.

Dominic Kennedy, The Times: For £50 or £100 it was possible to get an address from a car registration number; an individual’s social security claims from their address; travel arrangements from computerised flight lists. Do you know the most important detail to trace the most reclusive person? Their GP’s address. Everybody needs a GP to access the health service and the family doctor is local, so it is easy to narrow the search. The best key to getting useful information from databases? A date of birth.

Benedict Brogan, Daily Telegraph: The top of the Tory party had little choice: if Mr Coulson is one of the leadership’s four musketeers, then it’s one for all and all for one. He is a vital part of the project, who has brought order and discipline to the Tory media operation and who provides shrewd advice behind the scenes. He is, among other things, the quartet’s Essex man, Mr Cameron’s bit of rough. It’s not just his unflappability they love, it’s his keen understanding of what exercises people beyond W10.