Tony Blair: a 'constant presence' in Rebekah Brooks's life In a written statement to the inquiry, Mrs Brooks said that she considered Mr Blair a friend and became "close friends" with Mrs Blair, and with Alastair Campbell, his press officer. Mr Blair was among the politicians who sent Mrs Brooks a message of condolence when she quit News International last year. He was also at a surprise 40th birthday party thrown for her by Rupert Murdoch at his London home in 2008. But unlike other politicians, she said, she did not exchange emails or text messages with Mr Blair, because he did not have a mobile phone while he was prime minister, and did not use a computer.