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Tony Blair’s appearance at Leveson: 10 key points

The former PM on media regulation, his relationship with Murdoch and the Daily Mail.

By Samira Shackle Published 28 May 2012 16:21

Tony Blair leaves the Royal Courts of Justice. Photograph: Getty Images

1. Blair denies ever doing a deal with Rupert Murdoch

Asked whether he knew anything of a supposed deal between Murdoch and David Cameron, Blair said he had “no knowledge” of such a deal. He added: "All I can say is Murdoch never made such an approach to me.”

2. Blair says that Murdoch did not lobby him on media policy

The former prime minister said that Murdoch “didn’t lobby me on media stuff” but said that this was “not to say we weren’t aware of the positions their companies had”. These included strong views against European integration. He added that on regulatory matters that had a direct impact on Murdoch’s business, “we decided more often against than in favour”. He added:

Am I saying he's not a powerful figure in the media? Well no, of course he is, and, of course you're aware of what his views are, and that's why I say part of my job was to manage the situation so that you didn't get into a situation where you were shifting policy.

3. He and Murdoch clashed over Europe. . .

This has already been widely reported, but Blair stressed that he and Murdoch disagreed over Europe. He said:

Europe was the major thing that he and I used to row about. I believed in what I was doing, I didn't need him or anyone else to tell me what to do.

As evidence that he had not changed policy for Murdoch, he said:

I would say very strongly we managed the position that I believed in on Europe and that was a position the Sun and the News of the World frequently disagreed with me on.

4. . . But agree on many other things

Blair stressed that on public service reform and trade unions, he and Murdoch happened to agree:

Our views may have coincided. But I believed what I was doing. I did not need him to tell me what to do.

5. Blair sent Rebekah Brooks a supportive message after she resigned

The former prime minister revealed that he sent a sympathetic text message to the former News International chief executive after she was forced to step down last year over phone hacking allegations. He told the inquiry: "I'm somebody who does not believe in being a fairweather friend”. He said that he did not know the facts, but that he felt sorry for Brooks. "I have seen people go through these situations, and I know what it's like”.

6. Murdoch and Blair are closer now than when he was in office

Blair confirmed that he is the godfather of Murdoch’s daughter for the first time (even though the story broke some months ago). He said that while he was in office, he had a “working relationship” with Murdoch, but now it was “completely different”:

I would not have been godfather to one of his children on the basis of my relationship in office. After I left office I got to know him. Now it's different. It's not the same.

He spoke warmly about his friend, saying that the media baron was “not a tribal Tory” who had certain views that were “very anti-establishment”.

7. He does not regret New Labour’s media obsession

Though his government has been demonised and caricatured for it’s obsessive chasing of positive headlines, Blair said that he has no regrets. Stressing the immense power of the press – across the board, not just limited to the Murdochs’ businesses – he said that implementing reform would have derailed his entire policy agenda.

This would have been an absolute, major confrontation, you would have had virtually every part of the media against you in doing it. And I felt the price you would pay for that would actually push out a lot of the things I cared more about. Although I think this is an immensely important question, I don't in the end, not for me, at any rate, as prime minister, was it more important than the health service, or schools or law and order.

8. Anti-war protesters look set to follow Blair wherever he goes

As I reported earlier, a man interrupted the morning proceedings to shout “this man is a war criminal”.

9.Blair denies ever briefing against colleagues

In what some have interpreted as a veiled comment on Gordon Brown, Blair said twice that he never asked the Sun to attack his enemies:

I did never and would never have asked her or others to conduct attacks on specific individual ... I absolutely hate that type of politics.

He specifically denied claims that No 10 briefed against Mo Mowlam.

10. Blair hates the Daily Mail

While he defended the Murdoch press, Blair had strong words about the Daily Mail:

If you fall out with the controlling element of the Daily Mail, you are then going to be subject to a huge and sustained attack. So, the Daily Mail for me - it attacked me, my family, my children, those people associated with me - day in, day out. Not merely when I was in office. And they do it very well, very effectively. And it's very powerful.

He said that the paper had a “personal vendetta” against his wife Cherie, and that her solicitors sent at least 30 legal warnings to the newspaper between mid-2006 and November 2011.

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Tags: Tony Blair Leveson Inquiry

More from Samira Shackle

View the discussion thread.

32 comments

Fri, 2012-07-20 11:37 — Goji (not verified)

Nice article..... interesting.
Goji Goji fructe goji

Wed, 2012-07-11 19:51 — ahmadnasr89

Wed, 2012-05-30 00:55 — Gideon Polya

While the International Criminal Court (ICC) shows little inclination to prosecute Bush or Blair for war crimes, these warmakers have been convicted of war crimes in Malaysia.

Francis Boyle is a Professor of Law at the University of Illinois School of Law, where he currently teaches courses on Public International Law and International Human Rights. It was my privilege to be a co-author with Professor Francis Boyle and many other outstanding human rights scholars of the book "The Plight of the Palestinians" (see: http://mwcnews.net/focus/analysis/4047-the-plight-of-the-palestinians.html ). To quote a recent report "He was a part of the prosecution team that tried former US President George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and their legal advisors in absentia in Malaysia before “The Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal Foundation … a private organization set up and chartered under Malaysian law… a creature of Malaysian law” (see “Bush convicted of war crimes at tribunal”, The Real News: http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&I... ).

This tribunal in an earlier decision found Bush and Blair guilty of war crimes for invasion of Iraq. According to Professor Boyle re prosecuting Bush and Blair for invading another country and killing huge numbers of people: “ Yes. Actually, we did that last November. The charge on torture and war crimes was charge two. Charge one last November—I was out there for that prosecution as well. We prosecuted—well, indicted and then prosecuted Bush and Blair for committing a crime against peace by invading Iraq. And there were, again, close to four days of hearings, there were a defense counsel, and a judgment did come back that Bush and Blair were guilty of crimes against peace for their invasion against Iraq. And we are making efforts to get that judgment enforced [by the ICC], too.”

Wed, 2012-05-30 15:45 — Gareth

As many as four days of hearings? Held in absentia? By the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal Foundation, a private enterprise? Well that's a kangeroo court for you!

Tue, 2012-05-29 11:05 — Balls2Monty (not verified)

Permatan Tony has the uncanny ability to turn even the most hostile of inquisitions (and this was anything if hostile) into a cosy fireside chat embroidered with self-effacing anecdotes, book-plugs, and the occasional display of utterly contrived (but no less endearing for it) beffuddlement to show he is still a "pretty straight sort of a guy".

He had Mr Jay in the palm of his well-greased hand throughout and even seemed, by the close of proceedings, to have brought Leveson to the point of begging for his assistance in securing the future of an independent press.

What struck me (because it was so typical of Tony) was the number of times he justified past policy decisions by saying "I genuinely believed it" or "it was a matter of deeply held conviction". That was always enough for him and it was the crux of his efficacy as a political operator; the ability to convince himself of the irrefutable veracity of whatever he happened to be saying at the precise moment he was saying it. http://bit.ly/GBRlwV

Tue, 2012-05-29 11:04 — Balls2Monty (not verified)

He had Mr Jay in the palm of his well-greased palm throughout and even seemed, by the close of proceedings, to have brought Leveson to the point of begging for his assistance in securing the future of an independent press.

Tue, 2012-05-29 10:29 — Brianson (not verified)

The age of deference is not dead. Pathetic questioning of a smooth liar and manipulator at Leveson yesterday. Where's John Humphries when you need him?

Tue, 2012-05-29 06:49 — Gideon Polya

Point #8 overshadows the rest. Tony Blair is a war criminal. Deaths from violence or from war-imposed deprivation total 4.6 million (Iraq, 1990-2011) and 5.6 million (Afghanistan, 2001-2012) and refugees total 5-6 million and 3-4 million, respectively (see: "Muslim Holocaust, Muslin Genocide": https://sites.google.com/site/muslimholocaustmuslimgenocide/ ). However this carnage is scrupulously ignored not just by the Murdoch media but by all mainstream media.

in his 2005 Nobel Prize Acceptance speech Jewish British playwright Harold Pinter declared: "We have brought torture, cluster bombs, depleted uranium, innumerable acts of random murder, misery, degradation and death to the Iraqi people and call it 'bringing freedom and democracy to the Middle East'. How many people do you have to kill before you qualify to be described as a mass murderer and a war criminal? One hundred thousand? More than enough, I would have thought. Therefore it is just that Bush and Blair be arraigned before the International Criminal Court of Justice " (see: http://www.countercurrents.org/arts-pinter081205.htm )

Ten million? More than enough , I would have thought.

Tue, 2012-05-29 05:56 — Colin Sloss (not verified)

Tony Bliar, yes he did well as ever. He is a clever guy.

Tue, 2012-05-29 00:11 — Nozzer29 (not verified)

Perhaps all those commenting on what an awful man Tony Blair is would consider what would have happened without him. A one term Labour government, with a smaller majority against a Tory Party with more seats and a leader that was not Hague. And what did New Labour achieve? Well if I were to read the above comments then one could only assume nothing. But they did! The minimum wage, the working time directive, better rights for LGBTs, Sure Start centres, massive investment in the NHS, new schools, new hospitals, peace in Northern Ireland, a country more tolerant, a country where public spending is valued and a country and a government I am proud to have voted for. Turn left if you want to and see the Tories in power for another 18 years. Opposition is a luxury the poor, the weak and the discriminated cannot afford. And yes Iraq may have been a mistake (more in the planning for the aftermath), but where were those on the left, who should have been supporting those in Iraq trying to forge a better future? Where were you my comrade, when the Trade Unions in Iraq needed your support. Standing there, trying to get Blair indited for ridding this world of an evil tyrant - shame on you. Our values are the same across the globe. Democracy is not a luxury, but a right and democracy does not take many forms. When someone does not have the right to vote then I for one support anyone who will give them that right!

Tue, 2012-05-29 17:29 — MICHAEL ROLOFF (not verified)

Nozzer In the case of a truly dreadful megalomaniacal tyrant like Saddam Husein you send in a capable deathsquad, if in fact all you want to do is lop off the head. Buch + Co. would have gone doing businesss with Saddam as they had before, but with the invation of
Kuweit he got out of line, and opened up an opportunity that an oil patch guy like George
Bush could not withstands. "Better targets" was Rumsefeld's opinion! x michael roloff

Tue, 2012-05-29 01:09 — Davidaslindsay (not verified)

Bless.

At least, now that your kind is no longer allowed anywhere near the running of anything, least of all the Labour Party. That makes it faintly charming to discover a living specimen. Faintly...

Tue, 2012-05-29 12:31 — john Reid (not verified)

Don't worry david Lindsay when LAobur lose the enxt election the poor will suffer ,but the rich liek you can say it's a moral victor,y then maybe if labour are serious about winning elections agian, then the Blairite wing will have to start amking decisions again.

nosser29 ,I thought you were dead right.

Tue, 2012-05-29 13:25 — Herbert (not verified)

How odd that John Reid and nosser29 share the same idiosyncratic spelling. I wonder if they are by any chance related?

Tue, 2012-05-29 13:28 — john Reid (not verified)

we're not related it must be A coincidence,

Mon, 2012-05-28 22:50 — Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley (not verified)

Am i alone in wondering how any self respecting /regulating journalist can miss the important appointment made right at the end of of todays inquiry?

Mr.Blair kindly told the public at the end of the session today that he would make a further contribution in order to help the nation make the most of Justice Leveson's inquiry.

We should be very grateful in my view because Mr.Blair, judging by his performance at the inquiry today, may be one of few people who really understands the current arrangements and scope of media regulation, from micro, even personal experience to the broadest context of global affairs. He is also independent of government, parliament, the (so-called) state and most importantly of all he is still trusted by the general public.

What an excellent appointment. Nobody saw it coming, least of all Mr.Blair.

Tue, 2012-05-29 13:26 — Herbert (not verified)

He doesn't come cheap though, does he?

Mon, 2012-05-28 22:07 — Davidaslindsay (not verified)

Blair cut no deal with Murdoch.

Well, of course not.

And his eye-poppingly lucrative employment with J.P. Morgan owes nothing whatever to the Iraq War.

Well, of course not.

Mon, 2012-05-28 21:53 — Indu Pendent

Blair = New Labour
Balls = Labour's structural deficit and $600Bn borrowings
Miliband = The next bandwagon leaving town. Yeee Haaa!!!!

"All I can say is Murdoch never made such an approach to me"
Funny how Blair as clever as he is did not say "All I can say is Murdoch or I never made such an approach to each other or anyone else".

Mon, 2012-05-28 20:18 — anna-marina (not verified)

Is not is amazing how tolerant the Catholic Church hierarchy is to the powerful war criminals? The men in dresses are in arms after the free-thinking nuns but the same men are docile like a lamb and continue cooperating with the US and UK war mongers even after it became widely known that babies and pregnant women have been killed in great numbers during the illegal Iraq War.

Mon, 2012-05-28 20:02 — Tesco Shlef Stacker (not verified)

I still don't believe anything this mans says - for me he comes across as a narcissistic compulsive liar. But hey - that's just me.

How could I have been so gullible to vote for this man in 1997?
"Things can only get better' - no Mr Blair they only got worse under your premiership - you promised so much yet delivered so little and made things very much worse.

You turned the state from servant to master and curbed liberties that delivered nothing but injustice - trial by jury, habeas corpus, presumption of innocence - all diluted under New Labour. The surveillance society backed up with wave of new laws that made suspects of everyone - an anti-terror law that was and still is used by local councils to see if we're recycling rubbish properly or walking on a cycle path. The nanny state that interfered in every aspect of our lives - an intrusive state that still is out of control and has lost all public trust. An authoritarian government that was willing to harrass, bully and spy on its own people. This is Blair's legacy - Big Brother Britain - a surveillance state that would make Erich Honecker proud.

I've not even mentioned the WMD lies and spin, the sleaze, the cash for honours, Cherie cashing in on her husbands election to office and sponging free holidays. The man and his government should all stand trial for the havoc they have wreaked on this country.

Tue, 2012-05-29 12:36 — john Reid (not verified)

the cash for honours-that was something that was droopped before it went to court,

Cherie cashing in on her husbands election to office and sponging free holidays- which never happened

presumption of innocence - when was this changed

Mon, 2012-05-28 19:18 — mbrecker (not verified)

Blair is a war criminal.

Anthony (Little Englander and Proud)'s picture

Mon, 2012-05-28 18:16 — Anthony (Little Englander and Proud) (not verified)

A war criminal, money grubbing traitorous scum, the worst p.m this country ever had. He done more to destroy the fabric of British society than any other person, systematically went about undermine this country with open door immigration -"To rub the rights noses in it" . Bent over a took it up the backside, president Bushes little bum boy. Crafty as hell, no wonder his first big act as P.M was to scrap the treason laws, he also dreamt of being emperor of Europe.

I hope you and your rubber faced wife rot in hell !

Mon, 2012-05-28 17:52 — Steve E. (not verified)

Best PM we've ever had, and now sorely missed.

Good on ya, Tone Bloke.

Tue, 2012-05-29 01:08 — Davidaslindsay (not verified)

Australian idioms are not used in Britain. Try again. But thank you for making any sort of effort. Most American Blair-defenders write "Labor" or something because they assume American usage to be universal.

Tue, 2012-05-29 10:47 — Steve E. (not verified)

I can use whatever idioms I like, thank you very much.

I'm also a Londoner (and British).

Blair died, Billions died – there, does that convince you?

Prat.

Tue, 2012-05-29 13:28 — Herbert (not verified)

A Londoner eh? A wannabe Australian? As you say, a prat.

Mon, 2012-05-28 17:43 — wavettore (not verified)

Since 9/11 it's the War on Terror
One "false flag" attack so called by error
Blair, Bush, and Israel had a Pact in store
Their next surprise is knocking at your door
A hidden vile Idea from those who want "more"
will use you and your Belief for the next World War
As "chosen people" gain while Humankind loses
Greed wins not by the swords but by the words of Moses
Daring is to tell you when, better then to tell you rhymes
could not side with either one to get ready for our times
to look beyond and past today to seek for a solution
one only hope is there for you and spells Wavevolution

...................

A new type of Revolution wins with the ultimate weapon
Your Mind

www.wavevolution.org

Mon, 2012-05-28 17:15 — Kitty 2 (not verified)

The Weakness of Tony Blair, He may have charm butMiliband will never do!!!
May i ask why to all the new bunch of MP's aspire to be like him,
just because he won 3 Elections!
Tony Blair may have won a huge majority, and even won over Conservative Voters-
Something-on the shoulder of Giants Ed Miliband will never do.
Tony Blair said Politicians had to keep close to Media Bosses as they had so much power and could turn against you,
He said he was not brave enough to start an inquiry into Press standards because he was not willing to take The Media on- but he has said Cameron is doing the right thing,
this should not become political and that if he still was PM that he would be in the same situation.
Blair was not able to stand up to Bush, Blair wished for Welfare reforms but could not stand up to Brown,He wished to reign in the Unions but could not stand up to them,
He sacked many people and wished he did not- Are these the reasons he is only known
for the Iraq War and Spin!