The Guardian has defended its decision to give former cabinet minister Chris Huhne a column.
Huhne, who spent two months in prison earlier this year, wrote his first article for the paper yesterday.
The Guardian said he will continue as a paid freelance contributor writing “regular pieces”.
“As an experienced journalist who was, until recently, at the heart of government, Chris Huhne is in a good position to write well-informed and insightful pieces about Coalition politics and other areas of expertise as we approach the next election.”
In yesterday’s column, Huhne suggested a conspiracy in the Murdoch-owned press was behind his downfall.
Before his career in politics, Huhne was a staff journalist for The Guardian with stints as economics editor and as a leader writer. He also worked for The Economist, Independent and Liverpool Daily Post.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog