William Hague has "sympathy" for disgraced No 10 spin doctor Andy Coulson, who is facing up to two years in prison. The Foreign Secretary added it was not true that he had introduced the former tabloid editor to Tory high command.
Nick Clegg said he was "sure" the Prime Minister's decision to apologise over Andy Coulson's appointment at Number 10 was "the right thing to do".
The Deputy Prime Minister said David Cameron "has explained the circumstances in which he took the decision to employ Andy Coulson and has explained why he has now apologised."
"Andy Coulson has been shown to be guilty of a serious crime, I think it shouldn't overshadow the really good, hard work done by many, many, very professional, law abiding journalists up and down the country," Mr Clegg said.
"I hope we can now start to turn a page so the public have more confidence in the way things happen, so when something untoward occurs people are held to account."
If the PM sustained damage over the phone hacking verdicts, it's because he didn't ask his former communications chief enough questions.
David Cameron is on the hook twice at Downing Street; firstly for employing Andy Coulson and secondly for bringing him into Government.