'what about tony blair? ' david davis dismisses labour complaints

Earlier, Theresa May set out her 12-point Brexit plan in a major speech at Lancaster House, central London, in front of an audience of Cabinet ministers and foreign ambassadors. But Labour

MPs moaned the Prime Minister had not instead delivered her address in Parliament. Raising a point of order with Commons’ Speaker John Bercow, Cardiff South and Penarth MP Stephen Doughty

reminded MPs of previous comments made by Mrs May about the importance of “a system that gives Parliament powers over ministers and transparency to restore public trust”. He said: “Not my

words, Mr Speaker, but those of the now Prime Minister in 2007. “Do you share my concern that on one of the most fundamental issues facing this country in a generation the Prime Minister

chose not to account to this House this morning but to the media and to foreign ambassadors? “Churchill would not have done it, Thatcher would not have done it, but it seems when it comes to

this House… this lady's not for turning up.” Speaker Bercow admitted there had been a “developing phenomenon in recent decades” under successive governments where “important statements

have sometimes been made outside the House which we would have welcomed being made first inside the House”.  Speaker Bercow added he was “pragmatic” and had instead ensured Mr Davis would

be appearing before MPs today to answer questions on the Government’s Brexit plans. Mr Davis himself rejected Labour accusations the Prime Minister had snubbed Parliament, referring to his

“many years” in the House of Commons. He said: “We didn't have the opportunity at all of interrogating Tony Blair after he'd appeared on the radio and on television.” Mr Blair

faced frequent claims he ignored Parliament to favour a 'sofa' government during his 10 years in Downing Street._ _