A media feeding frenzy as the tables turn on a former tabloid boss.<br/> <br />Ex-News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks arrives in court on Friday to appear before the Leveson Inquiry to answer questions about her relationships with top British politicians.<br/> <br />Rupert Murdoch shut the paper last July when it emerged its journalists had hacked into the voicemails of public figures and a murdered schoolgirl.<br/> <br />The inquiry's lead lawyer wanted the names of politicians who expressed sympathy when she was forced to resign as chief executive of the paper's parent company over the hacking storm.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) LEVESON INQUIRY COUNSEL ROBERT JAY QC ASKING:<br/> <br />''Did you receive messages of commiseration or support from politicians?''<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER EDITOR OF NEWS OF THE WORLD, REBEKAH BROOKS, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I received some indirect messages from Number 10, Number 11, Home Office, Foreign Office."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) LEVESON INQUIRY COUNSEL ROBERT JAY QC ASKING:<br/> <br />''So you're talking about secretaries of state, prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer, obviously, aren't you Mrs. Brooks?''<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER EDITOR OF NEWS OF THE WORLD, REBEKAH BROOKS, SAYING:<br/> <br />"And also people who worked in those offices as well (JAY ASKING: Labour politicians - how about them?) Like I say, there were very few Labour politicians that sent commiserations . (JAY ASKING: ok, Mr. Blair, did he send you one?) Yes. (JAY ASKING: but probably not Mr. Brown?) No. He was probably getting the bunting out."<br/> <br />Former prime minister Gordon Brown famously fell out with Brooks over coverage he viewed as hostile and intrusive.<br/> <br />Current prime minister David Cameron has said politicians' ties with Murdoch were far too cosy, but the inquiry has also shone a light on the close social ties between his government and Murdoch's top executives.<br/> <br />Lily Grimes, Reuters
