Blair-Wendi ‘scoop’ tormented media mogul

Rupert Murdoch’s longest-serving editor Chris Mitchell has lifted the lid on the media mogul’s torment at the alleged closeness between his ex-wife Wendi Deng and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In his memoirs Making Headlines, Mitchell writes that Murdoch was “clearly lonely and struggling to sleep at night for the first few months after the separation”, according to the British newspaper The Guardian. “It was clear that my boss had been devastated by the closeness he found between his wife and his former friend,” Mr Mitchell, who was the former editor-in-chief of The Australian added. “I never asked what that was, but it is clear that his Australian family, alerted by domestic staff, rang the bell on whatever was going on when Rupert was out of town.”

Mr Blair, 63, who has always denied the speculation about the affair, was a notable absentee from the guest list when Mr Murdoch married Jerry Hall in March. After 14 years of marriage in November 2013, Mr Murdoch filed for divorce with Deng. They have two children and interestingly Mr Blair is godfather to one of their daughters. According to Mr Mitchell, Mr Murdoch is happily settled with Hall.

According to The Independent, in March 2014, Vanity Fair claimed to have uncovered an undated note allegedly written by Ms Deng in which she expressed admiration for Mr Blair.

“Oh, s**t, oh, s**t. Whatever why I’m so so missing Tony. Because he is so so charming and his clothes are so good,” the note reportedly read.

In December 2014, Mr Blair was furious when asked about the issue during an interview with The Economist.