Michael Gove has admitting to taking cocaine in the past (Image: GETTY)
Mr Gove made the confession ahead of a publication of a book about him by journalist Owen Bennett. The book “Michael Gove: A Man in a Hurry” makes the claim that he owned up to use of the Class A substance when put through his paces by advisors during the last leadership contest in 2016. The Environment Secretary told The Daily Mail: “The book is correct, I did take drugs. It is something I deeply regret. Drugs damage lives. They are dangerous and it was a mistake.
“I took drugs on several occasions at social events more than 20 years ago. At the time I was a young journalist. I look back and I think, I wish I hadn’t done that.”
Mr Gove said he does not believe “past mistakes disqualify you” but admitted, “obviously it will be for my colleagues in Parliament and members of the Conservative Party to decide now if I should be leader.”
The book claims after his admission to advisors: “Gove was instructed not to give that answer in public, and told to fall back on the words David Cameron had used when he was running for leader, namely that politicians are entitled to a private life before entering politics.”
Mr Gove was never asked the question during the campaign but was eliminated in the second round.
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Mr Gove served as Education and then Justice Secretary under David Cameron (Image: GETTY)
Bookies favourite Boris Johnson had also admitted cocaine use in the run-up to the 2008 London Mayoral election, which he won.
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