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Rebekah Brooks - now for the comeback after three years in limbo Rebekah Brooks post-phone hacking - the comeback
(35 minutes later)
In May 2000, when the then Rebekah Wade was appointed as the editor of the News of the World, I listed her qualities as femininity, youth, intelligence, charm and a ferocious work ethic.In May 2000, when the then Rebekah Wade was appointed as the editor of the News of the World, I listed her qualities as femininity, youth, intelligence, charm and a ferocious work ethic.
At the time, aged just 32, she was Fleet Street's youngest editor. Some nine years before, when I was first met her, a mutual friend introduced Wade by saying: "This is going to be the first woman to edit a daily tabloid."At the time, aged just 32, she was Fleet Street's youngest editor. Some nine years before, when I was first met her, a mutual friend introduced Wade by saying: "This is going to be the first woman to edit a daily tabloid."
That came to pass in 2003 when Rupert Murdoch gave her the chair at The Sun. He had not only recognised her intelligence and work ethic, he had been engaged by her charm.That came to pass in 2003 when Rupert Murdoch gave her the chair at The Sun. He had not only recognised her intelligence and work ethic, he had been engaged by her charm.
She accomplished something that none of Murdoch's previous tabloid editors had managed: to become the media magnate's friend. He genuinely liked her and appearances suggest she liked him back.She accomplished something that none of Murdoch's previous tabloid editors had managed: to become the media magnate's friend. He genuinely liked her and appearances suggest she liked him back.
It was hardly a surprise when Murdoch elevated Rebekah Brooks, as she became after her marriage in June 2009, to be chief executive at News International (now News UK).It was hardly a surprise when Murdoch elevated Rebekah Brooks, as she became after her marriage in June 2009, to be chief executive at News International (now News UK).
Indeed, one of the more remarkable features of Brooks's career has been the way in which predictions of her ascending to the next rung on the ladder have followed very soon after she has stepped on to the one below.Indeed, one of the more remarkable features of Brooks's career has been the way in which predictions of her ascending to the next rung on the ladder have followed very soon after she has stepped on to the one below.
Ambition is often scorned in Britain and, oddly, much disliked within newspaper offices. Unfairly, that is one reason why Brooks wasn't universally appreciated within The Sun.Ambition is often scorned in Britain and, oddly, much disliked within newspaper offices. Unfairly, that is one reason why Brooks wasn't universally appreciated within The Sun.
There was also considerable scepticism at the way she went about the job. She was less in evidence on the newsroom floor than many editors.There was also considerable scepticism at the way she went about the job. She was less in evidence on the newsroom floor than many editors.
But, aside from the underlying elements of sexism in such criticism, it did not recognise her major achievements as a story-getter. Brooks's skills as a networker, in getting up close and personal with the powerful and the well-connected, ensured that she was better informed about political affairs than any reporter.But, aside from the underlying elements of sexism in such criticism, it did not recognise her major achievements as a story-getter. Brooks's skills as a networker, in getting up close and personal with the powerful and the well-connected, ensured that she was better informed about political affairs than any reporter.
Traditionally, tabloid editors have been reluctant to spend too much time, if any, in the company of senior politicians. Brooks thoroughly enjoyed dealing with them face to face, even if it meant publishing stories they disliked.Traditionally, tabloid editors have been reluctant to spend too much time, if any, in the company of senior politicians. Brooks thoroughly enjoyed dealing with them face to face, even if it meant publishing stories they disliked.
She won a reputation as a schmoozer, and that is undeniably true. But the glow of friendship with which she enfolds people she either needs to impress, or from whom she needs information or advice, is disarmingly accomplished. It is an extension of her personality.She won a reputation as a schmoozer, and that is undeniably true. But the glow of friendship with which she enfolds people she either needs to impress, or from whom she needs information or advice, is disarmingly accomplished. It is an extension of her personality.
In my calls to her in her earliest days at the News of the World, she would deflect questions by asking: "What do you think I should I do?"In my calls to her in her earliest days at the News of the World, she would deflect questions by asking: "What do you think I should I do?"
She was also wonderfully indiscreet. I noted in the first piece I wrote about her that, in a business noted for deviousness, she was astonishingly candid.She was also wonderfully indiscreet. I noted in the first piece I wrote about her that, in a business noted for deviousness, she was astonishingly candid.
At a Society of Editors conference in Belfast in 2001, she was upset by an exchange with the then News International supremo, Les Hinton, and probably said more to me about the incident than she should have.At a Society of Editors conference in Belfast in 2001, she was upset by an exchange with the then News International supremo, Les Hinton, and probably said more to me about the incident than she should have.
Although it became much more difficult to speak to her in her latter days at The Sun, she was very open and agreeable when we did meet.Although it became much more difficult to speak to her in her latter days at The Sun, she was very open and agreeable when we did meet.
At a leukaemia charity function attended by Tony Blair's director of communications, Alastair Campbell, I also noted just how close she got to people who counted. Campbell's then 10-year-old daughter rushed towards Brooks when she arrived to receive a big hug. She had become a family friend.At a leukaemia charity function attended by Tony Blair's director of communications, Alastair Campbell, I also noted just how close she got to people who counted. Campbell's then 10-year-old daughter rushed towards Brooks when she arrived to receive a big hug. She had become a family friend.
Most journalists, even if friendly with politicians, treat them as contacts. In their turn, most politicians keep journalists at arm's length. Brooks, however, went the extra mile. She revelled in socialising with senior politicians.Most journalists, even if friendly with politicians, treat them as contacts. In their turn, most politicians keep journalists at arm's length. Brooks, however, went the extra mile. She revelled in socialising with senior politicians.
Her friendship with the prime minister was made easier by the fact that David Cameron was a friend of her husband, Charlie. They also just happened to have houses near each other in Oxfordshire.Her friendship with the prime minister was made easier by the fact that David Cameron was a friend of her husband, Charlie. They also just happened to have houses near each other in Oxfordshire.
She was also close during his premiership to Gordon Brown, and his wife, Sarah. Similarly, before that, she enjoyed a close relationship with Tony Blair and his wife.She was also close during his premiership to Gordon Brown, and his wife, Sarah. Similarly, before that, she enjoyed a close relationship with Tony Blair and his wife.
There have been plenty of other friends among the great and the good. But she also has a close-knit circle of journalistic friends who have remained loyal and supportive to her throughout the last three years.There have been plenty of other friends among the great and the good. But she also has a close-knit circle of journalistic friends who have remained loyal and supportive to her throughout the last three years.
One of those friends once told me: "The thing about Rebekah is that she is extraordinarily motivated."One of those friends once told me: "The thing about Rebekah is that she is extraordinarily motivated."
Now she has a strong motivation to rebound from three years of limbo after her resignation from Murdoch's company in July 2011.Now she has a strong motivation to rebound from three years of limbo after her resignation from Murdoch's company in July 2011.
Having managed one remarkable rise to Fleet Street fame and fortune, it would not surprise me in the least to see her repeat the act.Having managed one remarkable rise to Fleet Street fame and fortune, it would not surprise me in the least to see her repeat the act.