Bill Clinton confided in Tony Blair about his worries for Princess Diana’s sons after her death in remarks that underscore the close relationship between the ex-US president and former British prime minister.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ruled out any chance of an extra place being created for Ireland in the show jumping competition at next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Bertram Allen is typically taciturn, even as he frequently proves himself one of show jumping’s most amazing talents, yet even he conceded the manner of his latest triumph in the Global Champions Tour in Paris was extraordinary.

Kildare’s Alexander Butler won the grand prix at the second leg of The Underwriting Exchange Jumping In The City series at Cork’s Curraheen Park Greyhound Track.

It may be over 20 years since Billy Twomey last competed in his native Cork city, but he had no problems recalling it yesterday, considering he won a puissance on a horse called Larry Hagman.

Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine celebrated his birthday on Wednesday and, no doubt, he will be hoping his team present him with a suitable gift in today’s Furusiyya Series nations cup in St Gallen, Switzerland.

It may prove an omen that Cian O’Connor rides Good Luck in today’s Furusiyya Nations Cup at La Baule, France, but the Olympic bronze medallist believes the team has enough ability to create its own fortune.

Eventer Sarah Ennis was “delighted” with her second place in the three-star class at Burgham Market in Northumberland yesterday, but even more so with the manner in which it was achieved.

Show jumper Conor Swail notched up his third win in a fortnight in Florida on Sunday, taking top prize in the $34,000 Suncast Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Equestrian

A British man accused of plotting a terror attack may have targeted former prime minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie, jurors in the partly secret terror trial were told.

Ireland show jumping team manager Robert Splaine was far from defeatist after his team’s disappointing performance in yesterday’s Furusiyya Nations Cup at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

Show jumper Billy Twomey yesterday described himself as "disappointed" after he was replaced by manager Robert Splaine for tomorrow’s crucial nations cup contest at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

Wexford’s Bertram Allen confirmed his status as a rising star of show jumping when riding Molly Malone V to victory in yesterday’s grand prix at Belgium’s nations cup show.

Rebekah Brooks has denied any knowledge of phone hacking while she was editor of the News of the World, insisting it was impossible for her to know the source of every story that appeared in the tabloid.

In the midst of his company’s hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch headed to his London apartment and emerged with the News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks on his arm. Asked by a reporter about his priorities, Murdoch answered: “This one,” gesturing with his thumb to Brooks.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will not attend Baroness Thatcher’s funeral due to health problems, his spokesman said today.

Margaret Thatcher would have been “honoured and humbled” by the presence of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth at her funeral, her son said.

A lonely fan carrying a plaque saying ‘The King is Gone’ depicted the morose atmosphere of John Galliano’s final show at Dior.

When historians of the future dig beneath the rubble of 21st-century Italy, they are likely to view Silvio Berlusconi as the last Roman emperor.

Conservatives Michael Gove and Theresa May will today become the first serving Cabinet ministers to give evidence at the Leveson Inquiry into press ethics.

British PM David Cameron sent commiserations to Rebekah Brooks after she resigned as News International chief executive over the phone hacking scandal, the Leveson Inquiry heard today.

Cherie Blair has lodged a claim over hacking of her phone, her lawyers said tonight.

SAY what you like about Enda, but at least he doesn’t dwell on the details of his honeymoon in public.

MARGARET Thatcher may have been dubbed the Iron Lady for her political style; but in matters sartorial her taste proved equally non-negotiable.

ALISTAIR CAMPBELL, media chief to former prime minister Tony Blair, told the Leveson Inquiry into press ethics that the country’s newspapers were “putrid” and that a member of Blair’s inner circle had her phone hacked.

A STYLE guru, whose friendship with former British prime minister Tony Blair’s wife caused him embarrassment during his premiership, has won “substantial” libel damages over newspaper claims she would reveal sex secrets about the Blairs in a book.

A lifestyle consultant who worked with ex-Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie today said she had been told by police that her mobile phone messages were hacked by a private investigator working for the News of the World (NotW).

Tony Blair’s national insurance number appears to have been obtained by computer hackers from the email account of a former member of his staff.

Natalie Portman no longer wants to be associated with John Galliano following his alleged anti-Semitic remarks last week.

A MAN who drowned at Inny Strand in Waterville, Co Kerry, 21 years ago while trying to rescue his lifelong friend in treacherous conditions was honoured posthumously with the highest national bravery award at a ceremony in Leinster House.

Tears of joy were shed today as the State recognised courageous people for outstanding acts of bravery.

The Pope today apologised for the “unspeakable crimes” committed by Catholic priests who sexually abused children.

JUST LAST week Tony Blair visited Ireland to publicise his autobiography.

Former British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott appears to accuse Cherie Blair of snobbery in his new documentary on class.

FORMER British prime minister Tony Blair will go down in history in the same bracket as Winston Churchill, his wife Cherie has claimed.

Israel is to allow a pro-Palestinian activist group to sail two boats carrying humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, after earlier hinting it would block the shipment from reaching the coastal territory.

TV couple Richard and Judy broadcast their final terrestrial television show tonight.

Tony Blair made his first appearance in the British Parliament today since quitting as prime minister last year, telling MPs a “period of calm” was vital to the prospects for Middle East peace.

Cherie Blair accused Gordon Brown today of “rattling the keys” of Downing Street over Tony Blair’s head in an attempt to force him out of office.

Quentin Tarantino was thrilled to discover he had a fan in the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

IT was one of the longest, slowest goodbyes in British political history.

Gordon Brown today became the new British prime minister by accepting the Queen's invitation to form a government.

Gordon Brown left the Treasury today for the short journey to Buckingham Palace to become Briatin's Prime Minister.

Gordon Brown will address the nation as Britain's Prime Minister for the first time today as Tony Blair quits 10 Downing Street after more than a decade in power.

TONY BLAIR will finally bid farewell to No 10 today after his last appearance at the Commons Despatch Box.

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair is due to meet Pope Benedict XVI before he leaves office next week in what media say involves his preparations for converting to Roman Catholicism.

Tony Blair today announced he will resign as Prime Minister on June 27.

Australian convicted conman Peter Foster has gone missing in Fiji and may have fled the country to neighbouring Vanuatu on a yacht to escape fraud charges, officials said today.

A British Airways plane taking British Prime Minister Tony Blair on his Christmas holiday was involved in a runway drama on landing in America.