Gove can’t tell the roof
Minister wanders on to neighbour’s balcony
MICHAEL Gove has got into trouble with his neighbours for going on to the roof of the property next door to his grace-and-favour pad.
The Cabinet minister has been living in One Carlton Gardens, a £25million mansion a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.
Now it has emerged Mr Gove has been told off after he and guests wandered on to the roof of the neighbouring building.
The next-door property, occupied by the Institute for Government, looks out over the Mall.
Mr Gove, 56, was put up at One Carlton Gardens, which is normally reserved for the Foreign Secretary, following his separation from Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine.
The six-storey property, built in 1830, includes two dining rooms and a three-bedroom apartment. Luckily for Mr Gove, who is known for his enthusiastic dancing, it also has its own ballroom.
The Grade I-listed building has been the official residence of the Foreign Secretary since 1945 when Ernest Bevin complained about his “shabby flat” in Downing Street.
It was designed by architect John Nash and once sheltered Emperor Napoleon III of France. It is leased by the Foreign Office from the Crown Estate, which looks after the King’s properties.
A source close to Mr Gove said he went on the roof with his family over a year ago and strayed on to the wrong section accidentally.
They added: “He is grateful to the IFG security team for their vigilance.” Former PM Boris Johnson agreed that Mr Gove could stay at One Carlton Gardens in November 2021 as Liz Truss, who was Foreign Secretary, did not use it.
Security concerns are understood to have played a key role in the decision to let him live there.
Tory MPs had speculated that David Cameron might evict him in revenge for his role in Brexit that ended his premiership in 2016.
Current Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was said to be “shocked and hurt” after Mr Gove backed the Leave campaign and accused him of behaving “appallingly”.
But he has extended the olive branch to his former friend by allowing him to remain there as he already has a house in the capital.
Mr Gove and Ms Vine announced their separation after 20 years of marriage in July 2021.
The couple said they remained close friends and would continue supporting their two children.