Mandelson: Brooks is 'very good at keeping in touch' with politicians
Speaking at the Leveson Inquiry today, Lord Mandelson described Rebekah Brooks as known for her "persistence, charm and manipulative skills" - adding: "Although some people might say that's rich coming from me."
"She's very good at keeping in touch. I mean, obviously famously by text but in other ways. She doesn't hold back."
Brooks had "ease of access" to then prime minister Tony Blair, he said.
He also acknowledged that both Mr Blair and his successor Gordon Brown "arguably" became "closer than was wise" to Mr Murdoch.
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