Andy Coulson the former editor of the News of the World has been released from prison today, electronically tagged, after serving five months of an 18 month sentence.

Mr Coulson was serving his time following his conviction for conspiracy to hack phones. He had a served the latter part of his prison time at HMP Hollesley Bay an open prison in Suffolk that the tabloids described as a ‘holiday camp’ when Lord Archer was imprisoned there.

Dr Evan Harris, associate director of Hacked Off said:“Like any other prisoner Andy Coulson is entitled to be released early on licence, but it will be interesting to see whether the newspapers make the same complaints about this convict being released after serving 5 months of an 18 month sentence as they usually do when they express outrage at the same treatment for other prisoners who aren’t their former colleagues.

“For too many papers when it comes to the criminal justice system it is one rule for them and one rule for the rest of us.”

ENDS