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'I'll never forgive you'

Samantha Cameron vows never to forget ‘treachery’ of once-friends Michael Gove and Sarah Vine

The Camerons were close with the couple for 15 years before Gove's ruthless bid for No10

SAMANTHA Cameron has vowed to never again speak to Michael Gove and his wife over his “treacherous” bid for the Tory leadership.

The two families were close for 15 years until a foul-mouthed flare-up when Mr Gove first backed Brexit.

 Samantha Cameron has vowed not to forgive Michael Gove and wife Sarah Vine (right) in the wake of her husband's resignation as Prime Minister
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Samantha Cameron has vowed not to forgive Michael Gove and wife Sarah Vine (right) in the wake of her husband's resignation as Prime MinisterCredit: PA:Press Association
 She views the actions of Gove, pictured here in 2008 with Cameron, to replace her husband as 'treacherous'
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She views the actions of Gove, pictured here in 2008 with Cameron, to replace her husband as 'treacherous'Credit: Getty Images

And despite the Justice Secretary claiming “everyone was the best of friends” a few weeks after the spat, the wounds were reopened by his actions yesterday.

Pals say Sam Cam saw Mr Gove backtracking on his claims to never want to be PM — then announcing he would run for the job — as the ultimate treachery.

And yesterday Sam Cam’s younger sister Emily Sheffield, deputy editor of fashion mag Vogue, retweeted a series of messages about the Tory leadership contender.

One mentioned Mr Gove’s previous comments on having no ambitions to become Prime Minister, saying he’d sign in “his own blood” the fact he didn’t want the job.

Before the bust-up Sam Cam and Mr Gove’s wife, newspaper columnist Sarah Vine, shared holidays and spent New Year’s Eves together.
Their children went to the same schools and Ms Vine is godmother to the Camerons’ youngest daughter Florence.
But the friendship was dealt a blow two years ago when David Cameron demoted his friend from Education Secretary to Chief Whip.

Ms Vine later tweeted: “A shabby day’s work which Cameron will live to regret”.

 The families have been close for 15 years. Mr Cameron is seen here with his wife, Mr Gove and Tim Burton (far left) and Helena Bonham-Carter (fourth left)
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The families have been close for 15 years. Mr Cameron is seen here with his wife, Mr Gove and Tim Burton (far left) and Helena Bonham-Carter (fourth left)
 Bu the relationship disintegrated as Mr Gove's ambitions to usurp his friend as the leader of the Tories began to move sharply into focus this week
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Bu the relationship disintegrated as Mr Gove's ambitions to usurp his friend as the leader of the Tories began to move sharply into focus this weekCredit: Steve Back

Then came the bust-up at Tory party chairman Lord Feldman’s 50th birthday party at the end of February, days after Mr Gove’s bombshell decision to back Leave.

Seething Mrs Cameron launched into a tirade at Ms Vine to accuse her of betrayal.

A witness said Sam insisted Mr Gove’s decision meant he was abandoning her husband’s Premiership.

The PM’s wife was also livid about a newspaper article that Ms Vine had written to explain Mr Gove’s tortured dilemma, in which she aired his private conversations with the Premier about it.

The pair ended up raising their voices and “effing and blinding”, sources said.

They haven’t seen each other since, but did exchange texts last week to mark Sam’s 45th birthday.

But now the rift appears to have become irreparable given Mr Gove’s manoeuvring for the leadership.

 A clearly upset Mr Cameron announced his intention to stand down as PM in the wake of the EU referendum last Friday
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A clearly upset Mr Cameron announced his intention to stand down as PM in the wake of the EU referendum last FridayCredit: Reuters
 Wife Samantha watched on as he made the announcement on Downing Street. She has vowed not to forget the pain inflicted by their once-friends
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Wife Samantha watched on as he made the announcement on Downing Street. She has vowed not to forget the pain inflicted by their once-friendsCredit: Alamy
 Mr Gove announced his intention to run for the Tory leadership yesterday, as he brutally withdrew his support for his supposed running mate Boris Johnson
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Mr Gove announced his intention to run for the Tory leadership yesterday, as he brutally withdrew his support for his supposed running mate Boris JohnsonCredit: PA:Press Association

Meanwhile, David Cameron was publicly moved to tears by a tribute from Lord Feldman on Wednesday.

As Mr Cameron’s six years as PM were praised at the Tories’ summer party at the Hurlingham Club in West London, witnesses claim Mr Cameron was seen wiping his eyes.

One partygoer told The Sun: “The whole thing was very sombre.

“During the speeches — which really laid it on thick — I saw Mr Cameron choke up and dab his eye, and who can blame him.” Lord Feldman said Mr Cameron should be “proud of his legacy as a true reformer and One Nation Conservative”, according to guests.

The PM, who will quit on September 9, also gave a passionate farewell speech to rich party donors and ­supporters at the £450-a-head bash.

He spoke about his successes in school reform and said that legalising gay marriage was his proudest achievement.


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