MICHAEL Gove has admitted taking cocaine in a bombshell confession dropped in the midst of a Tory leadership contest.
The Tory leadership candidate said he “deeply regrets” using the substance as a young journalist more than 20 years ago.
The confession comes ahead of the publication of a book about him by political journalist Owen Bennett.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Gove said: “I took drugs on several occasions at social events more than 20 years. At the time I was a young journalist.
“It was a mistake. I look back and I think I wish I hadn’t done that.”
He added: “It was 20 years ago and yes, it was a mistake. But I don’t believe that past mistakes disqualify you.”
I took drugs on several occasions at social events more than 20 years. At the time I was a young journalist
Michael Gove
The 51-year-old’s revelation was made as Theresa May officially resigned today, triggering the contest for 11 Conservative contenders looking to take her place as PM.
The secretary of state for the environment and farming is currently 5/1 odds to become the next Prime Minister, second only to colleague Boris Johnson.
The confession looks set to rock the Tory leadership race.
Gove has built a reputation as a straight-laced minister most likely to be photographed on his morning jog.
Just two days ago, Gove split the Tory party by saying he’d delay Brexit by months to secure an EU divorce deal.
Gove – who has never publicly spoken about drugs policy – is seen by many as part of an influential set of Tories known as the Notting Hill set, who include ex PM David Cameron and ex Chancellor George Osborne.
Since winning the constituency of Surrey Heath in 2005, Gove has quietly and efficiently worked his way up the Conservatives’ ranks.
His first senior post was as secretary of state for education in 2010, before being made chief whip in 2014.
Just a year later he was appointed secretary of state for justice before being dismissed by Theresa May.
But Gove didn’t stay out in the cold for long – and was brought back into the cabinet as secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
The leadership hopeful was born in 1967 in Edinburgh and brought up in Aberdeen after his adoption at the age of four.
Like Boris, Gove attended the University of Oxford, where he read English and served as the President of the Oxford Union.
In a similar vein to his more gregarious colleague, he also worked as a journalist after leaving university, writing for local and national newspapers and appearing on radio and TV.
He even wrote a weekly column for the Times before becoming more involved in politics.
Gove is married to Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine, and the couple have two children.
His unexpected confession comes after another Tory hopeful Rory Stewart owned up to taking opium 15 years ago.
The international development secretary told the Telegraph he made a “very stupid mistake” by taking a puff on a pipe at a wedding while travelling in Iran.
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