Labour ask for inquiry into Michael Gove

Published on 11/02/2013 00:56

Education Secretary Michael Gove is facing Labour demands for an inquiry into claims he misled Parliament about the behaviour of his political staff.

It was reported that a senior civil servant at the Department for Education (DfE) had been paid off after a grievance procedure involving Mr Gove’s special advisers.

But Mr Gove, asked at a Commons select committee hearing whether he was aware of inappropriate behaviour by his special advisers, answered: “No… I am not omniscient, but I have seen no evidence of that.”

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said: “It appears that Michael Gove has either misled Parliament or appears to have no control or knowledge of what his advisers do on his behalf.

“Misleading Parliament would be a breach of the ministerial code. We need a full investigation by the Cabinet 
Secretary.”