Labour ask for inquiry into Michael Gove

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.”