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Tony Blair 'offered to help Rebekah Brooks with appearance before MPs' Tony Blair 'offered to help Rebekah Brooks with appearance before MPs'
(35 minutes later)
Tony Blair offered to help Rebekah Brooks with her appearance at a parliamentary select committee just days after the News of the World closed and days before she was arrested, the phone-hacking trial has heard.Tony Blair offered to help Rebekah Brooks with her appearance at a parliamentary select committee just days after the News of the World closed and days before she was arrested, the phone-hacking trial has heard.
Blair texted Brooks to say that "everyone panics in these situations" after she told him she was "properly terrified" and that the "police are behaving so badly" in the crisis that hit News International following the disclosure that Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked the week before.Blair texted Brooks to say that "everyone panics in these situations" after she told him she was "properly terrified" and that the "police are behaving so badly" in the crisis that hit News International following the disclosure that Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked the week before.
The Commons select committee had summoned Brooks to appear to answer questions about the mounting crisis at News International following revelations that missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked.The Commons select committee had summoned Brooks to appear to answer questions about the mounting crisis at News International following revelations that missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked.
Blair's exchanges with Brooks were made as leading members of the Labour party including Ed Miliband, Lord Prescott and Tom Watson were involved in a full-on assault against News International.Blair's exchanges with Brooks were made as leading members of the Labour party including Ed Miliband, Lord Prescott and Tom Watson were involved in a full-on assault against News International.
The exchange of texts was revealed by the prosecution on Wednesday during cross-examination of Brooks, who was being quizzed about two charges that she conspired to pervert the course of justice in the weeks that followed the closure of the News of the World.The exchange of texts was revealed by the prosecution on Wednesday during cross-examination of Brooks, who was being quizzed about two charges that she conspired to pervert the course of justice in the weeks that followed the closure of the News of the World.
The exchange shows that Blair and Brooks were almost in daily contact and often signed off texts with an "x".
The texts shown to the jury started on 10 July 2011 and finished on 17 July 2011, the day Brooks was arrested.
The court also heard on Wednesday that News International planned to invite Lord Mandelson, one of the former Labour prime minister's closest political allies, to "coach" Brooks for her select committee appearance.The court also heard on Wednesday that News International planned to invite Lord Mandelson, one of the former Labour prime minister's closest political allies, to "coach" Brooks for her select committee appearance.
Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC put it to Brooks that Blair had texted her in the week following the paper's closure in July 2011 "offering to help you with your forthcoming appearance in parliament".Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC put it to Brooks that Blair had texted her in the week following the paper's closure in July 2011 "offering to help you with your forthcoming appearance in parliament".
Blair texted her to say if she was still going to appear at the Commons, she should call him. She replied "definitely", adding that it "depends on the police interview first".Blair texted her to say if she was still going to appear at the Commons, she should call him. She replied "definitely", adding that it "depends on the police interview first".
In another text she said: "Feeling properly terrified. Police are behaving so badly."In another text she said: "Feeling properly terrified. Police are behaving so badly."
Blair tried to reassure her, texting: "Everyone panics in these situations."Blair tried to reassure her, texting: "Everyone panics in these situations."
He added: "I'm no use on police stuff but call me after that because I may be of use on Commons."He added: "I'm no use on police stuff but call me after that because I may be of use on Commons."
The text exchange with Blair occurred in the week beginning 10 July, Edis said.The text exchange with Blair occurred in the week beginning 10 July, Edis said.
Brooks appeared before the Commons culture, media and sport select committee on 19 July, two days after her arrest, four days after her resignation and nine days after the News of the World closed.Brooks appeared before the Commons culture, media and sport select committee on 19 July, two days after her arrest, four days after her resignation and nine days after the News of the World closed.
She denies four charges that she conspired to hack phones, pervert the course of justice by working with others to conceal material from the police and to cause misconduct in public office by conspiring to pay public officials for stories.She denies four charges that she conspired to hack phones, pervert the course of justice by working with others to conceal material from the police and to cause misconduct in public office by conspiring to pay public officials for stories.
The trial has previously heard that Blair advised Rebekah Brooks to launch a "Hutton-style" inquiry into the News of the World six days before her arrest as a suspect in the phone-hacking scandal.The trial has previously heard that Blair advised Rebekah Brooks to launch a "Hutton-style" inquiry into the News of the World six days before her arrest as a suspect in the phone-hacking scandal.
She told her boss James Murdoch in an email written in July 2011, that he former prime minister had also offered to act as an "unofficial adviser" to her, Rupert and James Murdoch, but that "needs to be between us".She told her boss James Murdoch in an email written in July 2011, that he former prime minister had also offered to act as an "unofficial adviser" to her, Rupert and James Murdoch, but that "needs to be between us".
She said that Blair had suggested that News International set up an inquiry that would "publish a Hutton-style report" that would "clear you and accept short comings [sic]".She said that Blair had suggested that News International set up an inquiry that would "publish a Hutton-style report" that would "clear you and accept short comings [sic]".
In the email, Brooks said the former prime minister told her to "tough up", advising her the crisis would pass and she should not make any rash short-term decisions. He also told her to "keep strong" and appeared to suggest she should take sleeping pills to keep a clear head.In the email, Brooks said the former prime minister told her to "tough up", advising her the crisis would pass and she should not make any rash short-term decisions. He also told her to "keep strong" and appeared to suggest she should take sleeping pills to keep a clear head.
The trial continues.The trial continues.