Gove attacks Loughton briefings
Michael Gove this morning distanced himself from briefings describing former minister Tim Loughton as "lazy" and "a narcissist".
The Education Secretary described the briefings against Mr Loughton, who was sacked from his job as Children's Minister during the last ministerial reshuffle, as "unacceptable".
"That sort of behaviour helps no one, takes us all the way from the work we want to do, it’s more than ungracious, it shouldn’t’ happen in politics," he told the Education Select Committee.
The original claims against Mr Loughton surfaced on the Spectator's blog, where an unnamed Department for Education source attacked the former minister.
Mr Gove said "disciplinary action would be appropriate" if the department found out who was responsible. But he also dismissed claims Mr Loughton that child protection has been de-prioritised "nonsensical".