LONDON (AP) — Faced with claims that he is an image-obsessed leader who ignores his Cabinet and spends too much time on “spin control,” British Prime Minister Tony Blair went straight to some of his biggest critics to defend his administration.

In a break with tradition, the prime minister appeared on Tuesday before a formidable committee of lawmakers and agreed to face questions on topics ranging from foreign policy, pensions and his own increasingly centralised control of the government.

Lawmakers can normally question Blair briefly in sessions of Parliament. But he agreed to take questions from lawmakers outside the ornate House of Commons debating chamber — the first prime minister since 1938 to do so. And instead of a brief encounter, it was a 2 1/2-hour grilling.

Even this drive to be more candid and accountable sparked accusations that Blair was acting more like an American president than a British prime minister. Unlike presidents who can make decisions alone, prime ministers traditionally formulate policy with their Cabinet ministers, who are elected legislators.

Asked by Conservative lawmaker Sir George Young if he had introduced a presidential style of government, Blair retorted: “I truly believe not. I think that’s unfair and wrong.

“Those prime ministers who have a strong centre are accused of being dictatorial, those who do not are accused of being weak,” said Blair. “I am not disputing the fact that we have strengthened the centre considerably, but I say that is the right thing to do.”

Blair, whose revitalised Labour Party came to power in 1997 after 18 years in opposition, has been accused of concentrating too much power in Downing Street and ignoring the views of his Cabinet ministers.

George Jones, professor of government at the London School of Economics, said Blair had deliberately modelled himself on former US President Bill Clinton and had Americanised British politics.

Rather than formulating policy based on a consensus of his ministers in the Cabinet, Blair has moved toward the American system, where the Cabinet merely advises the president, Jones said.

“His very appearance before this committee is an example of presidentialisation,” said Jones. “He is saying, ‘I am in charge of policy,’ and effectively diminishing the role of ministers.”

The prime minister had also boosted the number of political appointees and made his Downing Street office increasingly like the White House, Jones said.

Blair, who last month held the first of what he said would be monthly news conferences, also faced questions Tuesday about the government’s apparent obsession with its image and perceived attempts to manipulate public opinion with “spin doctors”.

The government was severely embarrassed by the disclosure that a press adviser had recommended September 11 as a good day to “bury” any bad news.

Negative headlines that followed have hurt Blair. An opinion poll last month found that two-thirds of respondents believe Blair’s government has not been honest and trustworthy.

In the marathon session on Tuesday, Blair said his government wanted to do things differently in its second term in office.

Blair’s appearance before the committee, which was televised live by several stations, was billed in the British press as a fierce cross-examination by the most ruthless and persistent interrogators in Westminster.

The gamble appears to have paid off for the prime minister.

Newspapers agreed that he gave a relaxed performance and got through the questioning unscathed.

“A very civil encounter,” The Independent newspaper said in its headline Wednesday.

“Blair survives landmark grilling,” said the left-leaning Guardian broadsheet, calling it a “formidable personal performance”.

Yet, in a sign that the British news media will not give the prime minister an easy ride, The Guardian said Blair’s appearance was motivated by a need to turn the tide of negative publicity.

“It was self-interest that drove Mr Blair to the Commons, not the public interest,” the newspaper said.