Peter Hoskin

Gordon Brown speaks out about not speaking out

Courtesy of Andrew Sparrow’s ever-superb live blog of the political day, from Brown’s appearance before the Commons development committee:

“Let’s not get into this in any detail because it’s a diversion from what we’re doing, and I think it’s unfortunate that this is the sort of question that is the first question to this committee from a member. Let’s put it this way, most former prime ministers have rarely spoken in the house at all. I have decided obviously to concentrate on my constituency work and on some of the work that I’ve been doing internationally. But, at the same time, I have taken a very big interest in some of the questions that the government I led was involved in … I’m here because I think I’ve got a perspective on this that is of use to this committee. And I think it would be unfortunate if it was suggested that there is only one way of making your views known in this house. The select committees are incredibly important to the workings of this house.”

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