Profile: Brooks had friends in very high places

During her meteoric rise through the journalistic ranks, Rebekah Brooks gained an entirely justified reputation as the ultimate networker.

The close relationships she formed with the political elite of all political persuasions was remarkable.

As a member of the “Chipping Norton set” she met regularly and even went horse riding with David Cameron – a friend of her second husband Charlie Brooks.

Before that she was close to Tony and Cherie Blair. She was also a great friend of Sarah Brown, although the previously close relationship she enjoyed with her husband Gordon cooled latterly. Her courting of powerful figures included Rupert Murdoch. She developed a very strong friendship with her boss, who is said to have looked on her almost as a daughter.

Those who worked with her speak of an individual of great charm with a ruthless streak.

Her journalistic career began as an administrator on the short-lived Post newspaper.

When the Post folded, the then Rebekah Wade moved to the News of the World in 1989. When she took charge at the tabloid in 2000, she was the youngest editor of a British national newspaper, aged 32.