Gove apologises to teacher after 30 years

Education secretary Michael Gove has apologised to his former French teacher for misbehaving in class over 30 years ago.

Gove issued the apology in an open letter to the radio times in which he says sorry to Dan Montgomery for his "pathetic showing off".

"When I look back at the 15-year-old I was, lurking at the back of your French class at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, I cringe," it read.

"You were trying, patiently, doggedly, good-humouredly, to broaden our horizons."

He went on to thank his teacher, saying: "You were a great teacher, one of many who helped introduce me to the work of great thinkers and writers, and thus gave me the greatest gift of all - the chance to write my own life story."

Gove's time at the school is believed to be a great influence on his policies as education secretary.

Although the letter has been taken as a rather light hearted gesture by most, Labour has struggled to see the funny side.

The party's official education twitter feed said this morning: "So Mr Gove has apologised to his old teacher. Will he apologise to thousands of pupils and teachers affected by his #GCSEfiasco?"