Michael Gove says he has 'evolved' since he described himself as being 'incapable' of being PM

Environment secretary refuses to rule out no-deal Brexit in October but says UK would be ‘better off leaving EU in an orderly way’

Michael Gove has insisted he can bring people together as Conservative party leader despite his reputation for betraying both David Cameron and Boris Johnson.

The environment secretary, speaking at the Hay Festival for a BBC Radio 4 podcast, admitted that he understood why people ask whether they could trust him as prime minister.

But he claimed that he had evolved as a politician in the three years since the EU referendum.

He also said he had changed his mind about his own abilities, having previously said he was incapable of leading the country.

“I have been through a variety of experiences,” Mr Gove said in an interview with Nick Robinson. “I led, some people may lament this, but I lead the campaign to leave the European Union and that involved going up head to head with David Cameron and others in the debate formats that we had.

“And being tested during that campaign, having had time to reflect when I was on the backbenches and then coming back into government.

“I think that I’ve evolved as a politician, but, obviously, we’ll see in the course of the next few days and weeks who people think has what it takes.”

Asked about his decision to oppose Mr Cameron during the EU referendum campaign, he said: “I knew that when I campaigned for Leave it was going to be strain on friendships, but if you believe something passionately and that moment of decision comes you can’t shirk it.

“I felt i had to follow my heart, I put a lot on the line.”

Following the referendum result and Mr Cameron’s resignation, he initially backed Boris Johnson for the Tory party leadership, only to enter the contest himself.

“Who is the real Michael Gove?” asked Mr Robinson. “Is it the man who stabs Boris Johnson in the back and David Cameron in the front or is it he courteous man on TV and radio?”

Mr Gove replied that he had consistent opinions throughout his life. “You can always discern a lot from someone’s record but the real thing is the people with whom you have worked, I have deliberately set out to bring people together,” he said.

He also insisted that he could be trusted: “I know that three years ago that was the subject of scrutiny and criticism, I can understand why people ask the question all I can ask is, talk to people who know me best. I won’t give my own testimonial.”

Mr Gove refused to be drawn on whether the UK would leave the EU “deal or no deal” on 31 October, but said he believed that Britain would be better off reaching a deal.

“I have also said that if we did have a no-deal Brexit, there would have been some real problems for particular sectors of our economy and particular sectors of farming,” he said.

“We would be able to get through it but it would ultimately be better off to reach an agreement and leave in an orderly way.”

During the interview Mr Gove also admitted there were comparisons to be drawn between the Tory leadership contest and the TV series Game of Thrones.

He said his favourite character was Tyrion Lannister, a dwarf who “eads a small band of followers and rallies his forces to victory in the battle of the Blackwater.

The interview took place just hours after Mr Gove announced his bid to be the next prime minister, although it was arranged several months ago.

“I can confirm that I will be putting my name forward to be prime minister of this country,” the environment secretary said, speaking outside his London home.

“I believe that I’m ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist Party, ready to deliver Brexit, and ready to lead this great country.”

Other candidates include Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, Rory Stewart, the international development secretary, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, Andrea Leadsom, the former Commons leader, Dominic Raab, the former Brexit secretary, and Esther McVey, the former work and pensions secretary.