Michael Gove says backing Boris Johnson for PM would have been 'betrayal of this country'

Sebastian Mann4 July 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Backing Boris Johnson for Prime Minister would have been a “genuine betrayal of this country”, Michael Gove said today as he launched another blistering attack on his former ally.

The former Mayor of London “ducked” crucial decisions and failed to show the qualities needed to take over from David Cameron, the Justice Secretary claimed.

Mr Gove has been accused of treachery for his shock move on Thursday to run in the Tory leadership contest – which forced Mr Johnson out of the race in one of the most sensational days in recent British political history.

On BBC One’s Andrew Marr, Mr Gove said he took the decision "very late" on Wednesday evening after talking to close colleagues and wife Sarah Vine.

He insisted he had tried to ring Mr Johnson to tell him about the decision "but the clock was ticking" in the leadership contest.

Michael Gove 
PA

"I came to the conclusion reluctantly after throwing my heart and soul for four or five days into trying to get Boris to become the next leader of the Conservative Party he could not do that job," he said.

"Right until the 11th hour I was talking to parliamentary colleagues, friends seeking to persuade them that Boris could lead the country and could be prime minister but in the final 24 hours there were actions that were taken, decisions that were ducked that led me to believe...

Mr Gove added: "I knew that by taking that decision all sorts of people would attack me personally but I love my country, I could not recommend that Boris was prime minister, I had tried to make that work and, therefore, it would have been a genuine betrayal of principle and of this country to have allowed Boris's candidacy to go ahead with my support."

Mr Gove said it was "telling" that Mr Johnson had failed to press on with his leadership bid.

"Boris could have chosen to go on if he wished to, the fact that he didn't, I think is telling," he said. "My judgment about what is right for this country will always guide me and on that basis I came reluctantly and with a heavy heart...”

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