Would losing Andy Coulson be so bad for David Cameron?

The idea that the editor of a national newspaper would not insist on knowing the sources of a controversial story before he published it is absurd. That is why it is so hard to believe that Andy Coulson was not aware the News of the World journalists were engaged in phone hacking.

But will it be such a disaster for David Cameron if Coulson is forced to resign?

When Coulson went to work for him, the appointment was widely seen as marking a change in Conservative strategy. Coulson would provide some red meat for the redtops, in contrast to the touchy feely approach which Cameron and Steve Hilton had hitherto adopted.

Given that I believe this approach was a touch of genius that detoxified the Conservative brand and brought the party close to the near impossible feat of winning the last election, I do not think that losing Coulson would be such a blow.

Those in the Conservative Party who were enthused by Coulson's appointment were generally those who yearned for a return to the triumphs of the Hague and Duncan-Smith years. In short, they were the people whom Cameron prospered by ignoring.

It is also worth pointing out that the Coaliton government's handling of the media has not been particularly surefooted.

Of course, Coulson's resignation might dent Cameron's clean and competent image. And the real real reason for Coulson's appointment was probably that he was in good standing with Rupert Murdoch.

But at the heart of the idea that losing Coulson would be a disaster is our modern overestimation of the importance of the press officer. As I found that I wrote five years ago:

Take Alastair Campbell. In the years before New Labour won its first election he acquired the most colossal reputation - part bully, part magician.

Yet when he acted as press office for the British Lions rugby tour earlier this year no one praised his efforts. They were either ignored or slated. No one said: "The team lost all three tests horribly, but I thought the press operation was first rate."

Similarly, Campbell acquired his reputation in the years running up to 1997 because it was obvious from a long way out that Blair was going to win. Therefore political journalists had to establish good relations with him and his future cabinet ministers. Therefore Campbell had great power over them.

In the end press officers, whatever grand titles they are given, are just not that important. So I suspect David Cameron would survive Coulson's departure with surprising ease.