MUMBAI: Media baron Rupert Murdoch and his ex-wife Wendi Deng may have called it quits, but there seems to be lots brewing between the two even now. Several media reports are hinting towards a rift between Murdoch and Tony Blair. The reason being stated is the former premier’s friendship with Wendi.
Though Blair had always stated that his relationship with Deng is platonic, it is learnt that Murdoch has refused to speak to him since filing for divorce from Deng in June.
According to reports, the breakdown of the friendship between the two men is being attributed to the claims that both Blair and Deng met on several occasions without Murdoch’s knowledge.
It was in June that Blair had to come out in open to clear the air which linked him to Murdoch’s divorce. At the time, his spokesman had told the Hollywood Reporter: ‘If you are asking if they are having an affair, the answer is no.’
An acquaintance of Murdoch was quoted: ‘Rupert Murdoch will have nothing more to do with Tony Blair. Not ever.’ Several media reports were seen quoting Murdoch’s friends. In a report published in The Mail, another friend of Murdoch said: ‘If you think that Rupert made a decision to end his marriage and a long-term friendship without just cause, you are sorely mistaken.’
However The Mail also quoted a close friend of Blair saying: “The ridiculous stories about Wendi and Tony’ were not true.” Blair’s friends insist that the relationship between Blair and Deng was innocent and that they never met alone.
While the duo had formed a strong friendship, with Blair becoming god- father to the Murdochs’ daughter Grace in 2010, this rift surely comes as a shock to many.
