Theresa May said that she wouldn’t criticise the Daily Mail for its “crush the saboteurs” front page because she believes we “should stand up for the freedom of the press” – but it appears her willingness to stand up for freedom of the press ends at their right to ask her a question.

The Prime Minister kicked-off the Tories’ election campaign last night by repeating Lynton Crosby’s sound bites for 15 minutes at a choreographed rally in front a few hand-picked supporters to which she arrived by helicopter.

Journalists were invited but not allowed to ask questions. Today, journalists have been frozen out all together – even from the Tory-supporting press.

The Telegraph’s chief political correspondent Christopher Hope wrote:

https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/855020698875699202

And Bloomberg journalist Rob Hutton points out:

Since Parliament voted to hold an election yesterday, Theresa May has taken no questions from journalists. #AskMay — Robert Hutton (@RobDotHutton) April 20, 2017

Some journalists, like the Independent’s Jon Stone, don’t think it’s a big loss:

Theresa May isn’t taking any questions? How will we cope without her repeating the same four soundbites in response to whatever she’s asked? — Jon Stone (@joncstone) April 20, 2017

But Theresa May’s refusal to take questions is in contrast to Jeremy Corbyn’s approach at Labour’s campaign launch today – and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the press pack:

Mirror political editor Jack Blanchard:

Jeremy Corbyn invited all the press to his campaign launch speech and took loads of Qs from journalists. Theresa May is avoiding scrutiny https://t.co/os9vFaU9bq — Jack Blanchard (@Jack_Blanchard_) April 20, 2017

Times deputy political editor Sam Coates:

At least we are invited Worth pointing out Theresa May didn't take questions in her first campaign event or make cabinet ministers available — Sam Coates Times (@SamCoatesTimes) April 20, 2017

Politics Home editor Kevin Schofield:

Regardless of whether you think he answered the media's questions or not, at least Jeremy Corbyn took them – unlike Theresa May last night. — Kevin Schofield (@PolhomeEditor) April 20, 2017

Presumably, just like the TV debates, Theresa May is too busy meeting ordinary voters to take awkward questions from journalists.

Well, we know how that’s going…