Michael Gove admits 'moral cowardice' during Brexit campaign

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Michael Gove admitted showing “moral cowardice” during the Brexit campaign after failing to speak to then-Prime Minister David Cameron about his leading role in the Brexit campaign.

The leveling secretary said he was persuaded to take a bigger job by the Vote Leave campaign coordinator and former aide to Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings.

He made the comments to former chancellor George Osborne on the Political Currency podcast. , which is also hosted by former Labor shadow chancellor Ed Balls.

Mr. Osborne, a Remainer stalwart, said Mr Gove had promised Lord Cameron he would not take a "leading role" in the campaign, but has become one of the Vote group's most visible members Leave.

The former chancellor asked Mr Gove: 'Did you cheat on David?' He certainly felt betrayed at the time. »

Mr. Gove denied betraying Lord Cameron, but added: “As I mentioned, I think I could have been clearer earlier.

“And I think it was an example of, on the one hand, cowardice on my part, moral cowardice, on the other hand, recognizing that maybe there is this feeling in politics, maybe something will happen. , maybe that time won't come when we have to make that decision.

"But I think David, in all honesty, should have expected me to be more candid earlier. "

Michael Gove and David Cameron at a meeting on education in 2012 (Getty Images)

Mr. Gove said he ended up "going further" than he thought during the campaign as he found himself appearing on TV debates and political shows as a representative for Vote Leave.

< p>M. Balls asked the upgrade secretary if Mr Cummings' influence was one of the reasons he became more involved than he initially thought. of the Brexit campaign.

Mr. Gove replied: “Yes. And again one of the arguments was "if you don't do this they'll get Farage" and then with a wave of his arm he points to everyone in the office including the people who worked with me . for years said, 'You can't let these people down.' »

He added that unlike Mr Osborne, who sta...