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'I DIDN'T KNIFE BOJO'

Michael Gove denies stabbing Boris Johnson in the back and betraying David Cameron over Brexit as he praises Theresa May

Former Cabinet minister admitted he made 'mistakes' during the Tory leadership election

MICHAEL Gove has denied stabbing Boris Johnson in the back after he launched his own bid to become Prime Minister after the EU referendum.

And the former Cabinet minister said he did not betray his friend David Cameron by backing Brexit, but admitted he made “mistakes” during the Tory leadership election.

After campaigning alongside the former Mayor of London to leave the European Union he initially backed his bid to lead the country.

But he effectively torpedoed Mr Johnson’s chances after abandoning him and announcing his own tilt at the top job.

Speaking the BBC he said he did not behave treacherously, describing the Foreign Secretary – who apparently "wanted to punch" him after the affair - as "formidably talented".

Michael Gove has denied stabbing Boris Johnson in the back over the Tory leadership contest
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Michael Gove has denied stabbing Boris Johnson in the back over the Tory leadership contestCredit: Getty Images

"I wouldn't say I stabbed him in the back,” he told Radio 4's World At One. “But I certainly came to the judgement in the immediate aftermath of the ref campaign that while I initially thought Boris was the right person to be Prime Minister, I didn't think - for a variety of reasons which I won't go into - that he wasn't the right person to be Prime Minister at that point.

"It is not treachery. I explained my reasons at the time. Revisiting them now would, I think, be…er the water is under the bridge.

"But I think if I take a couple of seconds to take a few steps back I think that knowing what I did at the time I took a decision to back Brexit, which I think was best for the country.

“I took the decision in the leadership thinking that - for a variety of reasons - there needed to be a Leave leader - and that leader needed to put forward certain ideas."

He also denied betraying his old friend David Cameron by backing Brexit in the EU referendum
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He also denied betraying his old friend David Cameron by backing Brexit in the EU referendumCredit: PA

On Mr Johnson he added: "In judging Boris' decisions during the ref and his act as Foreign Secretary afterwards, I think people should bear in mind this is a phenomenally talented individual who has put the public service first.”

He also denied turning on Mr Cameron by campaigning for Leave, in opposition to the ex-PM, but revealed the formerly close friends last spoke "a while back".

"I absolutely reject the idea of betrayal,” he said. “Disagreement, certainly.

“And disagreements among friends is always painful - but this was one of the biggest decision - if not the biggest decision of all our political lifetime.

He said he could not back Mr Johnson to be Prime Minister but called him "formidably talented"
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He said he could not back Mr Johnson to be Prime Minister but called him "formidably talented"Credit: PA

"As David was generous enough to acknowledge for the last 20 years I have always thought Britain should be outside the EU.

"I couldn't ultimately run away from that view.”

He added: "I don't think it is a betrayal to stand up for what you believe. In fact that is what politicians should do.”

Admitting he made mistakes in his bid to replace Mr Cameron, he said: "It is a mixture of things, as with any decision, I can draw certain conclusions from it but I draw no sense of bitterness.

“In the end the country made right decision and the Conservatives made the right decision getting Theresa May, and Theresa May made the right decision making Boris Johnson one of her senior allies.”

He also heaped praise on Theresa May - despite the pair repeatedly clashing while they were in Cabinet together
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He also heaped praise on Theresa May - despite the pair repeatedly clashing while they were in Cabinet togetherCredit: PA

Mr Gove also used the interview to repeatedly praise the new Prime, who he regularly clashed with when the pair served in the Cabinet together.

He said it was right that he was “given an opportunity on the backbenches to reflect”, and revealed he would return to the frontbench if asked.

"If the chance came to serve again then of course I would happily say yes, but I'm very happy being on the backbenches at the moment because it gives me an opportunity to do all sorts of other things," he said.

Calling Mrs May “the right leader at the right time”, he added:  "I think that someone who took the position which she did during the referendum is very well-placed both to unite the party and to lead these negotiations effectively. “

He added: "And I have to say in the decisions she has taken, she has proven the Conservative party right. And proven my initial judgement wrong."

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