Tories clash with Channel 4 as Michael Gove turned away from climate debate

Before a climate debate, the editor of Channel 4 News, Ben de Pear, tweeted a picture of Mr Gove and the Prime Minister’s father Stanley Johnson, who were both at the studio. Mr Gove also posted footage of himself arriving and asking if he could be the Conservative voice in the debate. After the programme, Mr de Pear said: “It was very kind of Michael Gove to offer himself to appear on Channel 4 News this evening, and we always welcome him on the programme. “However, as we made clear to him repeatedly, because he is not the leader of the Conservative Party, his participation was not required at tonight’s #climatedebate – which was strictly for party leaders only.” Source: Twitter/@michaelgove