Blair opens up No 10 briefings

Tony Blair today announced moves to throw open the daily Downing Street briefings for the media, with ministers facing the TV cameras. But the current lobby system of off-camera briefings by No 10 will also continue.

There were immediate charges that the switch to US-style televised press conferences was a ploy by Downing Street to strengthen its grip on the political agenda. Mr Blair's official spokesman said, however, that the aim was to put the spotlight on the politicians where it belonged. "The Prime Minister has got a pretty strong view that they are the public face of the Government," the spokesman said.

Morning briefings for Westminster journalists at No 10 will be thrown open to all comers and switched to a larger venue. The afternoon sessions, in a remote turret room in the Commons, will be unchanged.