Texts between Brooks and Blair that ended in a kiss

Rebekah Brooks texted Tony Blair that she was “feeling properly terrified” as she prepared for a grilling by police, the hacking trial has heard.

Tony Blair gave Mrs Brooks advice in several texts. Picture: Getty

The ex-News International chief executive engaged in a flurry of texts with the former prime minister in the days leading up to her arrest on Sunday, 17 July, 2011.

Earlier that week, Brooks had resigned and she was preparing to appear before a House of Commons committee the following week.

Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC yesterday read out the text messages that centred on Mr Blair giving Brooks advice on her forthcoming appearance before the culture, media and sport committee (CMS).

The exchange started on 10 July with Mr Blair opening with: “Hi it’s Tony.”

They made arrangements to speak by phone the following day, and Brooks said: “Can’t wait xx.”

Earlier in the trial, the jury heard that Mr Blair gave Brooks words of comfort in the phone call and offered to be an unofficial adviser.

On 15 July, the day of her resignation, Mr Blair texted: “I’m really sorry about it all. Call me if you need to. T x.”

The next day, he texted: “If you’re still going to Parliament you should call me. I have experience of these things! T x.”

Brooks replied: “Definitely. Depends on the police interview first.”

Brooks later texted: “Feeling properly terrified. Police are behaving so badly.”

Mr Blair told her: “Everyone panics in these situations and they will feel they have their reputations to recover.

“Assume you have quality QC advice?”

Later, he texted: “I’m no use on police stuff but call me after that because I may be some help on Commons.”

Brooks replied: “Great. Will do. X.”

The jury was shown more texts that Brooks sent to other people in the two days before her arrest, discussing her preparations for the police interview and appearance before the CMS committee.

In one, she revealed that Rupert and James Murdoch were coming to Oxfordshire for a lawyers’ briefing. In another text, she said she needed to “keep focused and tight-lipped”.

She texted “James M” on 16 July to say: “The police now want to arrest me tomorrow in the full glare of publicity as I have resigned.

“Lawyers trying to fight that but it could mean I don’t do CMS. Will keep all in the loop once we know.

“Hear krm [Rupert Murdoch] was brilliant with the Dowler family.”

The court also heard News International was planning to ask Lord Mandelson to “coach” Brooks for her appearance before the Commons committee.

Earlier yesterday, Brooks spoke of her husband’s attempt to hide embarrassing property from the police.

Among items stashed in an underground car park of their London flat were lesbian porn DVDs, two laptops and a conker, the jury was previously told.

Brooks said: “He told me he had asked security to look after his belongings.

“I thought it was an impulsive, ill-thought-out decision. I thought it was a really, really stupid thing to do.”

Mr Edis finished his cross-examination by dismissing Brooks’ evidence. He said nothing happened which she did not want to happen while she was “the boss” – controlling staff, and even her husband Charlie.

He said: “In fact, Mrs Brooks, your evidence has been a carefully presented script.”

Brooks, 45, of Churchill, Oxfordshire, gave evidence for 13 days at the Old Bailey.

She denies conspiring to hack phones, conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

All seven defendants in the case deny the charges against them.

The trial continues.