Gove apologises after backlash against Weinstein joke in live BBC interview

Environment Secretary’s remarks come a day after allegations of widespread abuse of women in Westminster

Michael Gove has apologised “unreservedly” after making a quip about the Harvey Weinstein abuse scandal on national radio, after his comments provoked a furious backlash.

During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Environment Secretary compared being interviewed by presenter John Humphrys with “going into Harvey Weinstein’s bedroom”, adding: “You just pray that you emerged with your dignity intact.”

Neil Kinnock, former leader of the Labour Party, who was also being interviewed on the programme, then quipped in to say: “John goes way past groping.”

The remarks were made in response to a question from Humphrys about whether he and other BBC radio presenters make politicians “look silly”, as part of a discussion about the role of broadcast media in holding the Government to account.

It came just a day after allegations of widespread abuse of women in Westminster, with reports that female parliamentary researchers and aides have used a Westminster WhatsApp group to share information about alleged abusers.

Mr Gove has since apologised for the remarks, tweeting: “Apologies for my clumsy attempt at humour on R4 Today this morning – it wasn’t appropriate. I’m sorry and apologise unreservedly.”

Today programme presenter Nick Robinson, who wasn’t on air at the time, brought attention to the remark by quoting Mr Gove in a tweet, prompting a barrage of anger from politicians, journalists and others.

Labour MP Stella Creasy described the remarks as “crass”, saying: “This look didn’t work for James Corden.” Her concerns were echoed by fellow MP Jess Phillips, who tweeted: “Michael Gove just left the studio without his dignity.”

Hannah Jane Parkinson, a Guardian journalist, tweeted: “Just a joke aimed at the victims of rape and sexual abuse by our former secretary of both justice and education.”

Paul Bernal, a law lecturer, also criticised Mr Gove for the comment, saying: “There are no words for how appalling he is.”

Highlighting the allegations of sexual abuse in Westminster from the previous day, another Twitter user wrote: “Yesterday Tory leadership was talking about taking sexual harassment seriously, today Gove jokes about the attacks on dozens of women.”

In response to reports that there is a Westminster WhatsApp group for women who have allegedly been abused in Parliament, Jeremy Corbyn is to use a speech in Scotland today to admit that abuse of women is a problem in Parliament, saying it is a “culture that has tolerated abuse for far too long”.

Comments posted in the group reportedly warn about one MP being “very handsy” in lifts and another being “not safe in taxis”. Senior figures and frontbenchers from both Labour and the Conservatives are said to have been implicated.

The allegations came to the fore after Hollywood producer Weinstein was accused of sexual harassment against a number of women in the film industry. A report published by The New York Times earlier this month claimed at least eight of his accusers reached settlements with him.

Mr Corbyn will encourage anyone who believes they are a victim of assault to speak to parliamentary authorities, their party or, where appropriate, the police and, and urge the Government to support employees to take action against anyone found guilty of harassment.

Responding to the allegations on Friday, Theresa May urged victims of sexual harassment to contact police and called allegations of abuse in Parliament “deeply concerning”.