Blairs angry and confused over Tony's affair with Murdoch's ex-wife Wendi Deng claims

Former British prime minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie is fuming over claims that her husband had affair with Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife Wendi Deng.

It is believed the ferociously protective barrister first learned of the rumours linking Blair with Deng a fortnight ago.

But both Cherie and Blair were angry and confused after seeing what they regard as unfounded slurs.

According to the Mirror, a source close to Blair said rumours of an affair with Wendi were categorically untrue.

Another insider pointed out that Murdoch's split with Wendi was officially a 'no fault' divorce action.

Blair has been left doubly baffled by the rumours after meeting Murdoch just weeks before the split from his wife was announced, the report said.

The meeting, which happened after Blair last met Wendi, was friendly and Blair was given no indication anything was wrong, it added.

Blair's relationship with Murdoch is said to have collapsed with suspicion after Murdoch split from third wife Wendi earlier this year.

Reports claimed that Blair twice stayed at Murdoch's California home with Wendi without him knowing.

Blair is also said to have stayed overnight with her in October last year and again in April. The pair also allegedly had "multiple encounters" without Murdoch's knowledge.

One of sources close to Blair insisted he and Wendi were just good friends and said any talk of an affair was wrong.

A key player in the Murdoch empire claimed a company email audit uncovered "intimate" messages between Blair and Wendi leading to the tycoon's suspicions, the report added.