View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Michael Gove apologises for making Harvey Weinstein joke on Today 60th birthday broadcast

By Dominic Ponsford

Environment secretary Michael Gove has apologised after making a joke about Harvey Weinstein on the 60th anniversary edition of Radio 4’s Today.

Gove was appearing before a live audience at Wigmore Hall in London with Sarah Montague and John Humphrys.

He said: “Sometimes I think that coming into the studio with you John is like going into Harvey Weinstein’s bedroom.”

This was followed by laughter and applause from the audience.

Gove then added: “You pray that you emerge with your dignity intact…the broader point is yes you can make a fool of yourself.”

Before the programme had finished Gove said on Twitter: “Apologies for my clumsy attempt at humour on R4 Today this morning -it wasn’t appropriate. I’m sorry and apologise unreservedly.”

Weinstein has been accused of multiple instances of rape and sexual assault many of which are alleged to have taken place in hotel rooms.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “I heard it and I didn’t think it was funny – particularly in Parliament, making sexual harassment a joke is one of the reasons it’s not being dealt with.

“You’ve got to realise that it’s undermining and demeaning for women and undermines and demeans the institution.”

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network