Gove lobbied PM to ignore Cabinet dissent over rule of six

By Gordon Rayner Political Editor MICHAEL GOVE played a central role in persuading Boris Johnson to adopt the rule of six, in the teeth of strong opposition from fellow ministers, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was one of only two Cabinet ministers who argued for the “draconian” measure. Others, including Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, and Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, suggested it should be at least eight, to allow larger families to meet grandparents.

Despite Mr Gove and Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, being the only two ministers favouring six, Mr Johnson later sided with them.

Ministers were concerned about the effect on businesses and that the Government would lose public goodwill with such a stringent measure. Restaurants later reported a slew of cancellations from Monday onwards.

Yesterday the Welsh Government followed Scotland’s lead by exempting children from its own rule of six, prompting calls for Mr Johnson to follow suit. Senior Tory sources claimed a majority of the Cabinet opposed the new rule at the Prime Minister’s Covid subcommittee on Tuesday.

The Telegraph understands Mr Gove and Mr Hancock pressed Mr Johnson to change the law allowing gatherings of up to 30 by making the maximum number six, after a presentation by Prof Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the Chief Scientific Adviser.

One source said: “Whitty and Vallance were in favour of six but it wasn’t clear what the scientific basis was for that. Mr Gove and Mr Hancock argued it would be simpler for the public to understand as six is already the maximum number of people from more than two households you’re supposed to have.”

Mr Johnson’s spokesman said the decision was agreed between the strategy committee, the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser.