End of marriage stopped attempt on minister’s life
MICHAEL Gove once topped killer Ali Harbi Ali’s list of targets.
But the Levelling Up Secretary’s failed marriage probably saved his life.
Police inquiries revealed how Ali stalked Mr Gove with an eight-inch kitchen knife in his rucksack.
A security source said: “Ali took significant steps to plan the possible murder of Mr Gove. But he aborted the plan after he and his wife split up. It seems the marriage breakdown has probably stopped an attempt…as Ali no longer knew where Mr Gove lived.”
An image on the killer’s mobile phone showed the minister outside the west London house he shared with his now estranged wife, journalist Sarah Vine.
Ali even listed possible opportunities to easily attack, and a favourite was to ambush Mr Gove while he was out for a morning jog.
He also considered smashing his front door. He noted: “Door is wooden and swings into house. Could be kicked in.”
The list, last modified in May, ended with the note: “Scout on Wednesday.”
Two months later, Mr Gove left home after his separation.
The terrorist also considered Mike Freer, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, north London.
The phone showed how he “scoped out” Mr Freer’s constituency surgery less than four weeks before he attacked Sir David.
Ali was also caught on CCTV around Westminster as he plotted to murder MPs. But he was put off by the armed police. “I bottled out,” he recalled.
He also did internet research on Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, Defence Secretary BenWallace and the ex-Chancellor Nigel Lawson, aged 90.