ANOTHER farcical chapter has been added to Michael Gove’s time in government after the Tory minister missed a broadcast interview slot while he was stuck in a lift.
The news was announced by Radio 4’s Today programme presenter Nick Robinson after Gove failed to show up on time.
The Communities Secretary was touring studios to explain his plan to tackle the cladding scandal when the mishap occurred.
Robinson told listeners: “We’ve had breaking news this morning that W1A is not in fact a satirical programme, because we were hoping to talk to Michael Gove – you might have been hoping to hear from Michael Gove at this time. He had very kindly come into the building so we didn’t have to deal with one of those awkward line failures.
“Mr Gove is stuck in the Broadcasting House lift. I wish I could say this is a joke, it is not a joke and it is not very funny for Mr Gove and the security man, who have been stuck there for some time.”
But Robinson said Gove had been “keeping cheerful”.
The Tory minister was eventually freed after being stuck for more than half an hour.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme later than planned, the Levelling Up Secretary said he had been “successfully levelled up”, adding: “These sorts of things happen, and if you and I together have given ammunition for Armando Iannucci or for the next episode of W1A, then fine.”
Told by presenter Nick Robinson that the hashtag #FreeMichaelGove had been started on Twitter, the Cabinet minister said he suspected there are “rather more people” who feel he should be “incarcerated for longer”.
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