GORMLESS GOVE’S RADIO ‘RAPE’ GAG
Fury over Weinstein sex joke on the Today show
MP MICHAEL Gove was blasted yesterday after making a joke about Harvey Weinstein.
The Environment Secretary apologised after comparing an interview with veteran radio star John Humphrys to “going into Harvey Weinstein’s bedroom”.
The gag on the Today programme sparked fury. The Tory MP was branded “stupid”, “thoughtless”, a “gormless pillock”, an “unfunny cretin” and a “massive tool”.
Speaking on a special edition of the Today show,
Mr Gove said: “Sometimes I think coming into the studio with you John is a bit like going into Harvey Weinstein’s bedroom – you hope to emerge with your dignity intact.”
Mr Gove later apologised. He said on Twitter: “Apologies for my clumsy attempt at humour on R4 Today this morning – it wasn’t appropriate. I’m sorry and apologise unreservedly.”
The joke was met with laughter and applause from the audience in the studio.
But there was a backlash after the BBC’s Nick Robinson tweeted Mr Gove’s comment.
One Twitter user said: “Michael Gove and John Humphrys guffawing as they joke about Weinstein’s groping is not how I want to start my day #r4today.”
Another added: “Think rape and sexual assault is something to joke about, do you?”
Journalist Hadley Freeman tweeted: “That’s @michaelgove, that is. Kicking off the weekend with a rape joke. It’s funny, because it’s laughing at rape victims!” And Lily Allen called the Environment Secretary a “bonehead”. But one Twitter user defended Mr Gove, saying: “If you don’t find it funny that’s fine, but it was meant as a joke – don’t take everything so seriously!”
The blunder comes after James Corden was forced to apologise over a joke he made about Weinstein.
While hosting a charity gala in Los Angeles, the British comedian said: “It’s a beautiful night here in LA. So beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage.” Yesterday, Labour MP Stella Creasy noted the similarity between the remarks from Gove and Corden, writing: “Gove joking about sexual assault just as crass too.”
It comes amid the row over MPs’ conduct prompted by reports that at least four have been the subject of sexual misconduct allegations.
Labour backbencher Jared
O’Mara has had the party whip suspended over a series of misogynistic and homophob i c online postings.