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Blair 'advised Brooks before arrest' Blair 'advised Brooks before arrest'
(35 minutes later)
Tony Blair gave advice to newspaper executive Rebekah Brooks about how to handle the developing phone-hacking scandal six days before her arrest, a court has heard. Tony Blair gave advice to newspaper executive Rebekah Brooks on handling the phone-hacking scandal six days before her arrest, a court has heard.
The Old Bailey heard Mrs Brooks, who denies wrongdoing, passed the former prime minister's advice to James Murdoch, the then executive chairman of News International. The court heard Mrs Brooks spoke to the former prime minister and passed on what he had said to James Murdoch, then News International executive chairman.
In an email, she said Mr Blair had said he was "available" to her, James and Rupert Murdoch as an "unofficial adviser", the Old Bailey heard.
Mrs Brooks denies any wrongdoing.
In the email, Mrs Brooks said Mr Blair had urged her to set up a "Hutton style" inquiry - a reference to the inquiry into the death of government weapons adviser Dr David Kelly.
She said Mr Blair's offer of further advice "needs to be between us".
The defence case for Mrs Brooks is expected to start later this week.
She denies conspiracy to hack voicemails, conspiracy to make corrupt payments to public officials and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.