Londoner’s Diary: Rumours rife of a return to The Times for Michael Gove

Could Michael Gove make a surprise return to journalism? After more than a decade at the top of politics, Gove wrote an article in The Times on Friday which was widely seen as his retirement from SW1A. And The Londoner hears Gove’s next job could be at the Times itself.

There is a rumour in the Times office that Gove is line for a senior role at the title. Gove was assistant editor of the paper before becoming an MP, and remains an ally of owner Rupert Murdoch. When Gove spoke to Donald Trump for the paper in 2017, Murdoch sat in to watch. Murdoch later reportedly lobbied Theresa May to give Gove a cabinet post.

But don’t count Gove out of politics. He is backing Rishi Sunak but expects Liz Truss to become PM, which would leave him out of the Cabinet. The piece says “I do not expect to be in government again” but is carefully worded enough to allow yet another comeback.

Iannucci’s Partygate poetry

The Thick of It writer Armando Iannucci sees his foul-mouthed Blair era political aide Malcolm Tucker as a “monster” but thinks he’s better than many in politics today. “At least he had some kind of plan, at least he thought two days ahead,” he said at the Edinburgh International Book festival at the weekend. Iannucci also said he is updating his epic poem about the pandemic to include Partygate, which he said he didn’t think voters will easily forgive.

Noel Clarke’s new script

“The PTSD is real,” says Noel Clarke, who says he is planning a film project about his experience facing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m writing a script about all this s***,” he wrote on Twitter, “I’m 30 pages in.” Clarke was once a sought-after filmmaker and won a Bafta last year but it was withdrawn after claims of groping, harrassment and bullying, which he denies, were published. The Met Police says it has insufficient evidence to start a criminal investigation.

The Johnsons talk sewage

Good news for those who feared the Johnson family might exit the media landscape. Last night, the Prime Minister’s sister Rachel Johnson had her father Stanley as a guest on LBC radio to discuss sewage on beaches. Stanley said he “blames the Government” for low standards after our EU exit. Is there no one they could contact on the family WhatsApp group?

Stars at the showjumping

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BBC STARS Fiona Bruce and Sara Cox headed to the showjumping on Friday for the Longines Global Champions Tour at Royal Hospital Chelsea. Designer and Sewing Bee TV judge Patrick Grant was well-groomed as ever, while I May Destroy You actor Weruche Opia was in a cheery mood. Actor Nicholas Pinnock, who is due to play Muhammad Ali in a biopic, struck a solemn pose, while model Alice Manners and designer Yinka Ilori also attended.