FORMER News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been freed from prison.

The ex-Downing Street communications boss left Hollesley Bay open prison in Suffolk yesterday morning.

Coulson, 46, has served less than five months of an 18-month term imposed in July after he was found guilty of conspiring to intercept voicemails at the now-defunct Sunday tabloid.

It is understood he will wear an electronic tag until half his full sentence has elapsed. The Ministry of Justice said inmates can be freed under home detention arrangements before they have served half of their term. A spokesman said: "Offenders on HDC are subject to strict licence conditions and can be recalled to prison if they breach them."