Blair advised Rebekah Brooks to 'toughen up' during height of phone-hacking scandal

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had advised former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks to 'tough up' and 'be strong' at the height of the phone-hacking scandal.

Blair, who also allegedly advised Brooks to take sleeping pills, offered to act as an 'unofficial adviser'.

According to the Guardian, Blair secretly advised Rebekah Brooks to launch a 'Hutton-style' inquiry into the News of the World six days before her arrest as a suspect in the phone-hacking scandal.

During the court hearing, it was disclosed that Brooks had written an email to James Murdoch. In it, she said that Blair had suggested that News International set up an inquiry which would 'publish a Hutton-style report' that would 'clear you and accept short comings [sic]'.

She also wrote that Blair told her the crisis would pass and she should "tough up" and not make any rash decisions.

The email was sent at 4.20 pm on Monday 11 July, the day after the News of the World closed.