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Michael Gove claims he received sack from Theresa May because he wasn’t a ‘blonde‘

Former cabinet minister jokes that golden-haired ministers given more of a chance in new government

Michael Gove joked last night that he was sacked by Theresa May because he was not a “blonde”.

Speaking out about Boris Johnson for the first time since he was booted out of the Cabinet for disloyalty, Mr Gove told the Commons: “Blondness is clearly a quality that brings preferment under this government.”

How to get a head in politics ... Michael Gove laments his lack of blonde locks
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How to get a head in politics ... Michael Gove laments his lack of blonde locksCredit: Press Association Wire

New PM Theresa May has filled Whitehall with blonde haired ministers including Foreign Secretary BoJo, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Education Secretary Justine Greening.

Other blondes in Mrs May’s top team include Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Culture boss Karen Brady.

Blonde ambition ... did BoJo's hair colour help secure his place in Mrs May's cabinet
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Blonde ambition ... did BoJo's hair colour help secure his place in Mrs May's cabinetCredit: Getty Images
Rudd-y marvellous ... flaxen-haired Amber is new Home Secretary, but how much of that is down to her sandy-coloured locks?
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Rudd-y marvellous ... flaxen-haired Amber is new Home Secretary, but how much of that is down to her sandy-coloured locks?Credit: PA:Press Association

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Yellow is the new black ... Justine Greening‘s hair colour put in line for the role of Development Secretary is Gove‘s ‘conspiracy theory' is to be believedCredit: Alamy

Addressing Boris’s brother Jo — who is also a blonde government minister — Mr Gove joked that Justine Greening “the new Secretary of State for Education is slightly less blonde than the Minister of State.”

He added: “Blondness is clearly a quality that brings preferment under this government and I know where I went wrong…”

Hair apparent ... Boris’s brother Jo is also a blonde government minister
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Hair apparent ... Boris’s brother Jo is also a blonde government ministerCredit: Getty Images

Speaking from the backbenches for only the second time in 11 years, Mr Gove claimed: “As a new backbencher I feel fortunate to contribute in this debate.”

When sacking him last Friday, the PM told Mr Gove he would have to prove his loyalty from the backbenches.

Mr Gove has made it clear he will take to new freedom to speak out seriously — intervening in two Commons debates in as many days.

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