Decision

Summary of business appointment applications - Rt Hon Michael Gove

Updated 28 October 2024

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Rt Hon Michael Gove MP left his role as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in July 2016.

1. Advisory Board Member, Red Tape Initiative

Michael Gove sought the Committee’s advice about becoming a member of the advisory board of the Red Tape Initiative (RTI).

The Committee noted that the purpose of the RTI is to identify opportunities for repealing aspects of EU-derived regulation following the UK’s decision to leave the EU. The RTI’s proposals will be published for public debate and promoted on a non-partisan basis within Parliament. The role of the advisory board will be to provide views on what may be sensible and acceptable deregulatory measures. The role will be unpaid.

When considering the application, the Committee took into account that Mr Gove’s former Department had no concerns about the appointment.

Taking into account the specific facts in this case in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

  • he should not draw on any privileged information available to him from his time in ministerial office; and
  • for two years from his last day in ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Red Tape Initiative.

The Committee sent its advice letter to Mr Gove in December 2016 and the role was announced in April 2017.

2. Public speaker, London Speaker Bureau and Chartwell Speakers

Mr Gove sought the Committee’s advice about registering with the London Speaker Bureau and Chartwell Speakers.

When considering this application the Committee took into account that Mr Gove had no dealings with either agency while in office and there will be no contact involved with his former department or government more generally. The Committee consulted the Ministry of Justice, which had no concerns about Mr Gove registering with these agencies and taking up employment as a speaker.

Taking into account the specific facts in this case, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

  • He should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
  • For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the London Speaker Bureau, Chartwell Speakers, or their clients.

The Committee sent its advice letter to Mr Gove in October 2016 and he registered with both agencies that month.

3. Columnist, The Times

Mr Gove sought the Committee’s advice about writing a weekly column for The Times on current affairs.

The Committee noted that Mr Gove is a journalist by profession. He worked for The Times full-time from 1995 to 2005 and wrote a weekly column from 1999 to 2009, prior to becoming a Minister.

When giving its advice the Committee took into account that the Ministry of Justice had no concerns about the appointment.

The Committee also took into account that, as a former Cabinet Minister, Mr Gove is subject to a standard three-month waiting period before taking up any outside appointment.

The Committee advised Mr Gove that it could see no reason why he should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

  • A three-month waiting period from his last day in Ministerial office;

  • He should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time as a Minister and;

  • For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of The Times.

The Committee sent its advice letter to Mr Gove in August 2016 and the appointment was announced in September.

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