United kingdom Daily news: 'Brief encounter' at festival for Dave and ex-spin doctor Andy Coulson

Minggu, 01 Juli 2012

'Brief encounter' at festival for Dave and ex-spin doctor Andy Coulson

'Brief encounter' at festival for Dave and ex-spin doctor Andy Coulson

Prime Minister initially bumped into Andy Coulson at Cornbury Music Festival near his constituency home in Chipping Norton
Former News of the World editor has been charged with perjury
Rebekah Brooks, also a friend of the Prime Minister, was seen at the festival

By Mail On Sunday Reporter

PUBLISHED: 17:24 EST, 30 June 2012 | UPDATED: 08:17 EST, 1 July 2012

David Cameron was yesterday seen in public with Andy Coulson for the first time since the former spin doctorâ€™s arrest.

Mr Coulson, who has been charged in connection with alleged perjury, chatted to the Prime Minister at the Cornbury Music Festival in Oxfordshire â€" one of the summer highlights for the â€˜Chipping Norton setâ€™.

The encounter at the site at Great Tew, close to Chipping Norton was described by onlookers as â€˜briefâ€™.

Together: David Cameron and wife Samantha arrive at the ninth anuual Cornbury Music Festival in Great Tew, near Chpiing Norton, Oxfordshire, yesterday afternoon

'Brief encounter': Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson spoke briefly with David Cameron at the Cornbury Music Festival yesterday

Chipping Norton set: Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks talks with friends at the Cornbury Music Festival yesterday which David Cameron and Andy Coulson also attended

Rebekah Brooks, a friend of the Prime Minister, was also seen at the second day of the annual music and arts extravaganza which has been running for nine years in the Oxfordshire countryside.

The former Sun editor, and her husband Charlie, stand accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in relation to the investigation into the phone hacking scandal. Both have denied wrong-doing in a public statement.

Mr Cameron and wife Samatha walked around the festival site at about 5pm, eventually bumping into the former tabloid editor who he had appointed and later resigned after the phone hacking scandal broke.

Headline acts at this year's event included Jools Holland, Alison Moyet, Marc Almond and Elvis Costello.

Chillaxing: David Cameron walks with his wife Samantha past stalls at the Cornbury Festival yesterday

Day off: David Cameron arrived at the festival at 5pm yesterday - and initially did not see Andy Coulson, his former director of communications although had a brief encounter with him later

Welsh singer Charlotte Church made a brief appearance on stage on Friday evening but had to rush away from the site after her daughter Ruby, three, suddenly fell ill and developed a high temperature.

Medics at the site examined the young girl and advised Charlotte and her new boyfriend to take the child straight to hospital by car.

Andy Coulson and Mr Cameron exchanged brief words as they bumped into each other, the PM with Samantha on his arm, before they went their separate ways.

Along with fellow Chipping Norton Set members Rebekah Brooks and Jeremy Clarkson, they live within a short distance of the Cornbury Festival site.

Andy Coulson has vowed to 'vigorously contest' perjury allegations if they are ever brought to trial.

Strathclyde Police charged him over allegations he lied on oath during the perjury trial of disgraced Scottish socialist politician Tommy Sheridan in 2010.

Day out: Mr Cameron can be seen walking through the crowd at the music festival. Among those headlining are Jools Holland, Elvis Costello, Marc Almond and Alison Moyet

Reveller: Mrs Brooks talks to people at the Cornbury festival yesterday. She is due to stand trial on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice