Nadine Dorries asks if Michael Gove was 'playing to the gallery' by being mobbed

12 November 2023 , 10:49

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Nadine Dorries asks if Michael Gove was 'playing to the gallery' by being mobbed

Nadine Dorries has questioned whether Michael Gove was "playing to the gallery" when he was mobbed at Victoria Station yesterday.

In an extraordinary broadside at her former cabinet colleague, Ms Dorries said any "sensible politician" wouldn't have wanted to make the job any harder for police. Mr Gove had to be escorted by officers after being surrounded by protesters, some of whom were carrying Palestinian flags.

Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Dorries wondered out loud "was he drunk?" She ranted: "What was Michael Gove doing in the middle of Victoria station on a day when every other sensible politician will not want to make the police job any harder? I mean was he drunk, what was he doing there?"

Michael Gove was mobbed by protesters at Victoria Station (Ehimetalor Unuabona / Story Picture Agency)

When Ms Kuenssberg interjected to ask if Ms Dorries thought he was drunk, she rolled back, stating: "Well no, to coin a phrase." SHe continued: "But why was he there? What was what judgment made him walk through Victoria Station? Was that playing to the gallery?"

There is a history of bad blood between Ms Dorries and Mr Gove. In her new book The Plot: The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson, the former Culture Secretary accuses him of being part of a group called 'the movement' that orchestrated the PM's departure.

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In her book she claimed to have warned Mr Johnson about Mr Gove, and says an insider told her: “He (Mr Gove) has been a big part of the plan to nuke Boris forever, and here he was in no way benefiting from all of his plotting and meddling." Mr Gove's allies have dismissed this, describing Ms Dorries as a "fiction author".

After footage of Mr Gove being mobbed was shared on social media, politicians from all sides condemned the protesters. London Mayor Sadiq Khan described attempts to intimidate politicians as "unacceptable".

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: "It's not 'bizarre' for Michael Gove to use a major tube/train station. He should be able to travel in peace like everyone else.

"Those acting in this fashion damage their cause and, along with those displaying abhorrent antisemitism amongst the rally today, must be condemned."

And Dame Arlene Foster, former first minister of Northern Ireland, tweeted: "This is so disgraceful. Sending solidarity to @michaelgove and all those who seek to go about their private business on a Saturday afternoon but who are intimidated by thugs."

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Dave Burke