Yesterday I wrote about the News of the Screws feeble effort to put the boot in while the Shadow C of the E was down. I mentioned that their story of Osborne and the alleged hooker, Natalie Rowe had first appeared three years ago. I failed to mention my other well-documented theory that this first story – when Andy Coulson was editor – was in fact a subtle piece of spin to suggest that the otherwise saintly and over-squeaky-clean young prodigy did in fact have a human side to him. I still believe that.

Now, of course, the Screws has a different editor, Colin Myler who doesn’t have a relationship with Osborne, which presumably is why he gave Sara Nuwar a free rein to make up an interview with Natalie which attempted to smear Osborne rather more. We weren’t told if it was meant to be a fresh interview or just a regurgitation of whatever she might have said three years ago. More likely the second option, on reflection, as they wouldn’t have had to pay her any more.

What is clear, though, is that Ms Nuwar didn’t read and inwardly digest the email which the Guardian’s Media Monkey tells us Ian Edmondson (Screws news desk boss) has recently circulated to all hacks.

“All interviews are carried out in the following way: 1. Tape the interview.

2. Transcribe word for word the interview. 3. Write the story from these words only.

If it is not on tape, do not file it unless expressly requested by myself (or deputies).”

As the paper has survived for so long by concocting its own version of interviews one wonders how they will ever fill their pages from now on.

During the Max Mosley case last summer, leading NoW smut-wallah Neville ‘Onan the Barbarian’ Thurlbeck admitted in court that he had added quotes to an ‘interview’ with the valiant Woman E (the Screws’ star witness who didn’t show up) after she had signed it off. It seems unlikely that Onan Thurlbeck will change his habits overnight.

But I’m wandering of the point, which is that it was Osborne who brought Andy into the Tory camp to front up their PR campaign– perhaps as a thank-you for helping out in humanizing his image a couple of years before.

Some think it was Andy who did so much for Young Cameron’s public persona last year. Others think it was Henry Macrory, or indeed DC himself, given his own natural charm and practical background in PR.

The question being asked now is: Will Andy be allowed to stay if the Tories win? Or is he too tainted by past errors and (at least by association) misdemeanours while at the helm of the Screws? There are still many media insiders (and I) who think he must have been aware of what was going on before Clive Goodman (his ‘Royal Editor’ at the Screws) and PI Glenn Mulcaire were dispatched for a sojourn at HM’s pleasure.

At the PR Week Awards last week, Coulson was named PR Professional of the Year. Luckily, he was too busy with Osborne’s Corfu faux-pas to pick up the award himself, and wasn’t there to hear the jeers that greeted the announcement.

What price Andy never gets an office in Downing Street?

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