Andy Coulson, the controversial head of communications at Number 10 Downing Street, has quit, the BBC is reporting.

Mr Coulson has come under pressure since the Conservative Party came into office due to ongoing investigations into his role in a phone tapping scandal at the News of the World.

Mr Coulson was editor of the paper at a time when journalists where tapping the phones of celebrities and even members of the Royal family, although he has denied knowledge that illegal tapping was taking place.

The news comes just a day after Labour had their own high-profile resignation in the form of Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson. Mr Johnson quit citing "personal reasons" but he also has been heavily criticised for his lack of knowledge about economics.

It is now being reported that his marriage is in difficulty due to an alleged affair between his wife and a police officer assigned to protect Mr Johnson.