Michael Gove defends staff as MPs probe claims of ‘bullying’

Education Secretary Michael Gove today defended his close aides over claims they were guilty of “bullying”.

He told a committee of MPs he had known nothing about the claims but insisted his staff were “committed and idealistic” people.

Education special adviser Dominic Cummings has been under fire for sending an email that questioned the mental health of a journalist who has written critical stories about Mr Gove’s reforms. Mr Gove told the MPs: “You can ask me any question you like, but what I can tell you is that special advisers are committed and idealistic individuals.”

Asked if Mr Cummings had broken the code of conduct for political advisers, Mr Gove hit back: “It seems actually that you were referring to private correspondence between the special adviser and an independent journalist of the Independent newspaper. Then you confused the education editor of the Independent with a permanent civil servant. If you can get your facts right and you can give me a proper question and explain to me the relevance, then I’ll answer it fully.”

Permanent secretary Chris Wormald told the education committee Mr Gove was not informed about the row, and it was “standard practice” not to tell ministers about such claims.