Lord Tebbit savages Michael Gove and says his stunning betrayal of Boris Johnson has ruined his chances of being PM
Veteran Tory attacked the Justice Secretary for his brutal stabbing in the back of his Brexit ally
LORD Tebbit has savaged Michael Gove and said his stunning betrayal of Boris Johnson had ruined his chances of becoming PM.
The veteran hardman said the Justice Secretary’s brutal stabbing of his Brexit ally meant it was hard to imagine anyone “doing a deal” with him again.
And the ardent Eurosceptic said the only credible candidate left was ‘Out’ campaigner Andrea Leadsom as Theresa May had failed to cut immigration.
It came as Remain campaigner Tory backbencher Ken Clarke called for Mr Gove should “do us all a favour” and quit the race.
Speaking to the Sun, Lord Tebbit said it was impossible to see how Mr Gove could unite the party.
He said: “Mr Gove has to consult his own judgement and ask what ought to be the judgement of his colleagues.
“I will not support him for that post. I would not want to do a deal with him.”
He added: “Before yesterday I would have thought he would have made a capable PM. I did think he wouldn’t be an easy sell to the electorate as PM.
“But I would not want to enter into a bargain of any kind.”
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Home Secretary Theresa May is the short-priced favourite to replace David Cameron following Thursday’s incredible day.
But Lord Tebbit said Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom was the only “credible” contender left.
He said: “Theresa May was campaigning to remain, and as Home Secretary she was charged with bringing net migration down to less than 100,000.
“She increased it to 330,000.”
The peer’s demolition of the Tory Brexit boss came just hours after Ken Clarke said Mr Gove was turning the leadership contest into a farce.
While he was no fan of Boris Johnson, Mr Clarke said Mr Gove’s act of betrayal was “more suitable for the student union” given the climate “of grave, grave potential crisis”.
Mr Clarke added: “I do think Michael Gove would do us all a favour and stand down now. I just think we don’t want to add to the tragedy too much with an air of farce.
“He was probably the most successful departmental minister we have had.
“But this kind of behaviour is more suitable to the election of a student union tan the Prime Minister of this country.”