Ex-NI chief Rebekah Brooks says Blair 'was constant presence' in her life

London, May 12 (ANI): Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has said that Tony Blair was 'a constant presence' in her life for many years.

Brooks told the Leveson inquiry that Blair had met her on "numerous political and social occasions", which became more frequent throughout his decade as prime minister.

She also recounted the complaints made by Blair's wife, Cherie, about what she saw as sexist media coverage of her appearance and behaviour, The Telegraph reports.

According to the paper, Brooks admitted to siding with Blair in his power struggles with Gordon Brown, but she denied passing to Blair information she received from the Chancellor about his plans.

Brooks, in a written statement to the inquiry, said that she considered Blair a friend and became "close friends" with him, and with his press officer Alastair Campbell.

She claimed to have had dinner alone with Blair three times between 2003 and 2007, the paper said.

According to the report, unlike other politicians, Brooks said, she did not exchange emails or text messages with Blair, because he did not have a mobile phone while he was prime minister, and did not use a computer. (ANI)

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