Michael Gove gives out No 10 phone number and urges people to call Boris Johnson's secretary when quizzed over Andrew Neil interview

Cabinet minister Michael Gove gave out a Downing Street phone number live on air when asked to put a figure on the chances of Boris Johnson being interviewed Andrew Neil.

The prime minister has been persistently pressed on speaking to the veteran BBC interviewer - and even called out by Mr Neil himself - but has so far ducked such an exchange.

Mr Gove, the Duchy of Lancaster, was asked this morning during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live: "On a scale of one to 10, what's the chance of the Andrew Neil interview with Boris Johnson happening? Just give us a number."

He replied by relaying a landline number and added: "That's the Downing Street number.

"And if you ring the prime minister's diary secretary, he will know, or she will know what the prime minister's going to do.

"I'm not the prime minister's diary secretary."

The number given went through to the Downing Street switchboard when called by the Standard.

Mr Neil delivered a direct interview challenge to the PM yesterday.

He stated it is "not too late" for him to sit down for an interview with him before next week's election.

A senior Conservative source later claimed the public are “fed up” with TV interviews that are “all about the interviewer”.

“The public are fed up with interviews that are all about the interviewer and endless interruptions,” said the source.

“The format is broken and needs to change if it is to start engaging and informing the public again.

“The PM will focus on talking to voters about people’s priorities including investing in our NHS and helping with the cost of living.”

Mr Johnson is said to have taken part in more than 100 interviews during the election campaign.