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28th Oct 2017

Michael Gove apologises for inappropriate Harvey Weinstein joke

Paul Moore

A “clumsy attempt at humour.”

Michael Gove has apologised “unreservedly” after he made an inappropriateĀ joke that referenced the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal.

Gove was a guest on Today and compared being interviewed by presenter John Humphrys with going into the bedroom of the shamed film producer.

Speaking to Humphrys on Saturday morning, Mr Gove said: “Sometimes I think coming into the studio with you John is a bit like going into Harvey Weinsteinā€™s bedroom ā€“ you hope to emerge with your dignity intactā€.

The environment secretary was speaking in front of a live audience as the show marked its 60th anniversary.

Mr Gove has since apologised and said that this remark was a “clumsy attempt at humour.”

At present, theĀ Los Angeles police department and the Met police are investigating various claims of sexual assault claims that were made againstĀ Weinstein.

Since various women came forward to speak out against Weinstein, the film producerĀ has been accused of accused of rape, sexual assault, and harassment by a number of actresses and employees.

Mr Gove’s apology comes after he was heavily criticised for the comments.

Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson took to Twitter to hit out at Mr Gove for “trivialising sexual assault” whileĀ MP John Mann said Gove’s remarks were “dangerously not funny”.

https://twitter.com/JohnMannMP/status/924194664839774208

https://twitter.com/HadleyFreeman/status/924181298352132097

 

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News,Politics