EGG ON HIS FACE
Michael Gove gets himself into a pickle over scotch egg being a ‘substantial meal’
MINISTER Michael Gove got himself into a pickle today - after giving different answers to the question over whether a scotch egg counts as a 'substantial meal'.
The politician faced accusations that he doesn't understand the Government's definition of what counts as proper tuck - as millions of Brits grapple with what they can eat in order to have a pint.
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He was asked about the status of the delicacy a day after his cabinet colleague George Eustice told LBC that a Scotch egg “would count as a substantial meal if there were table service”.
That means it could be be served with alcohol by pubs in tier two areas after lockdown ends.
Mr Gove told the radio station: “A couple of scotch eggs is a starter, as far as I’m concerned.”
Forty-five minutes later, he said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “As far as I’m concerned it’s probably a starter.
"My own preference when it comes to a substantial meal might be more than just a scotch egg but that’s because I’m a hearty trencherman.
"The Government is relying on people’s common sense.”
However, by the time he was interviewed by ITV News shortly afterwards, his position had evolved.
He said: “A Scotch egg is a substantial meal. I myself would definitely scoff a couple of Scotch eggs if I had the chance, but I do recognise that it is a substantial meal.”
Piers slammed Government chiefs for 'not knowing their own Covid rules' during the interview with Mr Gove.
In a blistering row on the show this morning, Mr Gove took on the TV firebrand over officials' response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The row broke out over different rules in the Government's new three-tier system.
England’s second lockdown ends tomorrow, on December 2. Just Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and Isle of Wight will be in the first tier.
The Government is today facing a revolt in Parliament over the new tiered system, with 100 MPs threatening to vote down the 'draconian' new rules.
And this morning, Piers - clutching the savoury snack - accused Mr Gove of not understanding the rules himself.
The presenter said: "You want us to all go out and support this industry and to abide by the rules, and again, once more, we have Government ministers who are not able to tell us what their own rules are."
He then quizzed the minister on the UK's high death rate and plunging economy - asking: "Do you accept it has been an abject failure?"
But Mr Gove immediately replied: "No."
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"Firstly, we're not through this yet," he said.
"It is the case that countries across the globe have been wrestling with the pandemic, which is a disaster.
"But it's important to stress that we're not through this yet, and that's why we're moving out of lockdown but into a tiered system which is designed to reduce the rate of infection."
The two men then shouted over each other as each attempted to make their point - and Piers accused the MP of 'lying' over public support for the Prime Minister.
Mr Gove had said: "I think Boris is doing a good job and so do a majority of people in this country."
But Piers replied: "Actually the majority of people do not think that."
When Mr Gove attempted to reply, the host said: "You just said a blatant lie."
"If we were going to judge purely by passing opinion polls - or, for that matter, television ratings - then people would say, 'Piers, you're doing not that great a job'," Mr Gove said.
But Piers immediately returned fire - telling the MP: "Actually, our ratings have doubled in five years, so actually if you want to draw a comparison between us and Boris Johnson, I'm very happy to do that."
As he spoke, Mr Gove said: "You're doing a fantastic job, given what your ratings are, but I think you're doing a fantastic job because I make a judgement."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock was the first Government official to appear on Good Morning Britain after a 201-day embargo last month.
The U-turn was announced just a day after Dominic Cummings left No10.
During an excruciating interview, Mr Hancock refused to turn down a pay rise ten times in a row after Piers said the MP - who takes home a £146,973 salary - should forego a proposed £3,500 increase for MPs.
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It comes after it was revealed 5million public sector workers face a three-year pay freeze.
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Days before Mr Hancock agreed to be interviewed, Piers slammed the government for being "gutless little weasels" for the boycott.
Boris Johnson has also previously seemed as if he was trying to avoid appearing on the show - last year disappearing into a fridge to avoid questions.
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