Gove and Vine ‘finalising divorce’ after almost 20 years of marriage
SENIOR GOVERNMENT Minister Michael Gove and his journalist wife Sarah Vine are to split after almost 20 years of marriage, a joint spokesman for the couple said.
The high-profile couple married in October 2001 but have decided to end their relationship and are “in the process of finalising their divorce”.
Their spokesman said: “Michael and Sarah have agreed to separate and they are in the process of finalising their divorce.
“They will continue to support their two children and they remain close friends.
“The family politely ask for privacy at this time and will not be providing any further comment.”
Ms Vine, a columnist for the Daily Mail, wrote last week, in a piece about former Health Secretary
Matt Hancock’s resignation, about how Westminster life can drive a wedge between partners.
A friend of the couple insisted the Gove-Vine split was “entirely amicable”, and that no third party was involved.
The friend told the PA news agency: “This is a difficult and sad decision for Michael and Sarah after 20 years of marriage.
“It is an entirely amicable separation and there is no-one else involved.
“They have drifted apart over the past couple of years but they remain friends.
“Their absolute priority is the children.”
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Gove and Ms Vine, a former Times arts editor, met in 1999 and married two years later.
The family are seen as well connected in the Conservative Party, with Ms Vine a godmother to one of former Prime Minister David Cameron’s daughters.
The couple have said they will not be commenting further at this time.