GOVE'S COKE SHAME
Michael Gove admits taking cocaine as would-be PM reveals ‘deep regret’ over drug past
MICHAEL Gove has admitted taking cocaine in a bombshell confession dropped in the midst of the Tory leadership contest.
The would-be PM said he "deeply regrets" using the substance as a young journalist more than 20 years ago.
7
The astonishing revelation threatens to completely overshadow the environment secretary's formal campaign launch on Monday, with just hours to go before nominations close.
In an interview with the , Gove said: "I took drugs on several occasions at social events more than 20 years. At the time I was a young journalist.
"It was a mistake. I look back and I think I wish I hadn't done that."
He added: “It was 20 years ago and yes, it was a mistake. But I don’t believe that past mistakes disqualify you.”
'I DID TAKE DRUGS'
The confession comes ahead of the publication of a book about him by political journalist Owen Bennett - and just a day after Theresa May formally stepped down as Tory leader yesterday.
"The book is correct," he said. "I did take drugs. It is something I deeply regret. Drugs damage lives. They are dangerous and it was a mistake.
"Obviously it will be for my colleagues in Parliament and members of the Conservative Party to decide now if I should be leader. I think all politicians have lives before politics.
I took drugs on several occasions at social events more than 20 years. At the time I was a young journalist
Michael Gove
"Certainly when I was working as a journalist I didn’t imagine I would go into politics or public service. I didn’t act with an eye to that."
Gove, the secretary of state for Defra, is currently 5/1 odds to become the next Prime Minister, second only to colleague Boris Johnson.
But this confession looks set to rock the Tory leadership race, as Gove battles ten other hopefuls in a bid to succeed Mrs May.
Gove has built a reputation as a straight-laced minister most likely to be photographed on his morning jog.
Just two days ago, Gove split the Tory party by saying he'd delay Brexit by months to secure an EU divorce deal.
7
7
7
Gove the party leader
By Will Hagerty, Associate Editor (who trained as a journalist with Gove)
MY abiding memory of Michael Gove is of the pair of us dancing to indie band Pop Will Eat Itself at a party at my flat in Newcastle in 1988.
He was somewhat lacking in rhythm but, as always, “Govey” was the life and soul.
He was also the hungriest of a motley crew of newshounds on our journalism course at Thomson Regional Newspapers’ training centre.
I’d first spoken to him a few weeks before the course began when I was struck by his almost comical politeness.
He seemed fascinated by my every word, the mark of a promising journalist.
Then 20 and fresh out of Oxford University, he was spectacularly bright. I was 18, and a tad intimidated by his dazzling intellect.
I needn’t have worried. He was down-to-earth, charming and fun.
His qualifications put my two A levels in the shade but I realised we were equals as journalistic rookies.
Our close-knit class spent six months learning and socialising, Michael usually holding court in the Bigg Market pubs after our law class.
He showed no interest in becoming a politician.
When we were asked to name our dream job he said Political Editor on the Financial Times. I wanted to join a tabloid.
I realised then we’d probably never work together!
LEADERSHIP HOPEFUL
Gove - who has never publicly spoken about drugs policy - is considered part of an influential set of Tories known as the Notting Hill set, who include ex PM David Cameron and former Chancellor George Osborne.
Since winning the constituency of Surrey Heath in 2005, Gove has quietly and efficiently worked his way up the Conservatives' ranks.
His first senior post was as secretary of state for education in 2010, before being made chief whip in 2014.
Just a year later he was appointed secretary of state for justice before being dismissed by Mrs May.
7
7
7
CLIMBING THE RANKS
But Gove didn't stay out in the cold for long - and was brought back into the cabinet as secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
The leadership hopeful was born in 1967 in Edinburgh and brought up in Aberdeen after his adoption at the age of four.
Like Boris, Gove attended the University of Oxford, where he read English and served as the President of the Oxford Union.
In a similar vein to his more gregarious colleague, he also worked as a journalist after leaving university, writing for local and national newspapers and appearing on radio and TV.
He even wrote a weekly column for the Times before becoming more involved in politics.
Gove is married to Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine, and the couple have two children.
MOST READ NEWS
His unexpected confession comes after another Tory hopeful Rory Stewart owned up to taking opium 15 years ago.
The international development secretary told the Telegraph he made a "very stupid mistake" by taking a puff on a pipe at a wedding while travelling in Iran.
Boris Johnson and David Cameron are among the Tory politicians to have admitted using cannabis when they were younger.
Michael Gove becomes eighth Tory MP to officially join leadership race to succeed Theresa May
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics