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David Cameron, Rebekah Brooks and the hazards of political friendships David Cameron, Rebekah Brooks and the hazards of political friendships
(40 minutes later)
The decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Rebekah Brooks came early during a cabinet meeting, and will have sent an unwelcome chill through the room.The decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Rebekah Brooks came early during a cabinet meeting, and will have sent an unwelcome chill through the room.
It is an occupational hazard of senior politicians that they become friends or acquaintances of individuals who attract the interest of law enforcers. Of course, these are only allegations at the moment, but sometimes the mud sticks and questions of judgment grow, sometimes not.It is an occupational hazard of senior politicians that they become friends or acquaintances of individuals who attract the interest of law enforcers. Of course, these are only allegations at the moment, but sometimes the mud sticks and questions of judgment grow, sometimes not.
Brooks, the former News International chief executive – who has condemned the decision to charge her with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice as "weak and unjust" – was a ferocious networker. She was on close terms with many Labour politicians, notably Tony Blair and Sarah Brown. But when the music stopped her closest political friendship was with David Cameron. Cameron has now discovered that the allegations of wrongdoing by senior figures at News International are not just being taken seriously by Guardian conspiracy theorists, but also by the most senior figures in the legal profession.Brooks, the former News International chief executive – who has condemned the decision to charge her with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice as "weak and unjust" – was a ferocious networker. She was on close terms with many Labour politicians, notably Tony Blair and Sarah Brown. But when the music stopped her closest political friendship was with David Cameron. Cameron has now discovered that the allegations of wrongdoing by senior figures at News International are not just being taken seriously by Guardian conspiracy theorists, but also by the most senior figures in the legal profession.
The intimacy between Brooks and Cameron stretches back many years, and the bond doubtless has been strengthened by country sports, point-to-points and the whole Chipping Norton set.The intimacy between Brooks and Cameron stretches back many years, and the bond doubtless has been strengthened by country sports, point-to-points and the whole Chipping Norton set.
In the past six years they have met 22 times on semi-official business, including in Greece and at New Year's Eve parties. In opposition, as he courted the support of the Sun newspaper and the Times, they met no fewer than 13 times. In the past six years they have met 22 times on semi-official business, including in Greece and at New Year's Eve parties. In opposition, as Cameron courted the support of the Sun newspaper and the Times, they met no fewer than 13 times.
Their friendship became closer when she began dating Charlie Brooks, the racehorse trainer and Daily Telegraph columnist, whom she married in 2009.Their friendship became closer when she began dating Charlie Brooks, the racehorse trainer and Daily Telegraph columnist, whom she married in 2009.
Charlie Brooks's family and the Camerons were longstanding friends and neighbours in the Cotswolds.Charlie Brooks's family and the Camerons were longstanding friends and neighbours in the Cotswolds.
Rebekah Brooks told Lord Justice Leveson last Friday morning that she exchanged up to two texts per week with David Cameron during the 2010 general election campaign. Rebekah Brooks told Lord Justice Leveson last Friday morning that she exchanged up to two texts a week with David Cameron during the 2010 general election campaign.
She was invited to Chequers three times in 2010, prompting the Leveson barrister Robert Jay to ask: "Did you often pop around to each other's houses?"She was invited to Chequers three times in 2010, prompting the Leveson barrister Robert Jay to ask: "Did you often pop around to each other's houses?"
He signed off texts with "DC" or sometimes "LOL" – until she explained that the latter phrase meant "laugh out loud", not "lots of love". Brooks dismissed as "ludicrous" suggestions in some newspaper columns that they exchanged texts up to 12 times a day. Details of those texts remain under the lock and key of News International.He signed off texts with "DC" or sometimes "LOL" – until she explained that the latter phrase meant "laugh out loud", not "lots of love". Brooks dismissed as "ludicrous" suggestions in some newspaper columns that they exchanged texts up to 12 times a day. Details of those texts remain under the lock and key of News International.
Brooks also confirmed for the first time last week that she was at a Boxing Day party with Cameron in December 2010. This came three days after she entertained the prime minister at her Oxfordshire home, with a dinner during which News Corporation's £8bn bid for BSkyB was briefly discussed. Brooks also confirmed for the first time last week that she was at a Boxing Day party with Cameron in December 2010. This came three days after she entertained the prime minister at her Oxfordshire home, with a dinner during which News Corporation's £8bn bid for BSkyB was discussed briefly.
She also disclosed she held a conversation in 2010 with Cameron on the number of civil cases that were being pressed against News International. There may well have come a point in late 2010 or spring 2011 when Cameron finally put his friendship to one side and realised his natural suspicion of what appeared in the Guardian may have blinded him to allegations of some very serious wrongdoing at News International.She also disclosed she held a conversation in 2010 with Cameron on the number of civil cases that were being pressed against News International. There may well have come a point in late 2010 or spring 2011 when Cameron finally put his friendship to one side and realised his natural suspicion of what appeared in the Guardian may have blinded him to allegations of some very serious wrongdoing at News International.
The issue for Cameron will be whether his understandable personal and professional loyalty to Brooks will damage him, or just be seen as one of the hazards of public office.The issue for Cameron will be whether his understandable personal and professional loyalty to Brooks will damage him, or just be seen as one of the hazards of public office.