Environment Secretary Michael Gove made an innappropriate joke about Harvey Weinstein (Picture: PA)

Michael Gove has been forced to apologise after making a crass Harvey Weinstein joke.

The Environment Secretary says he apologises ‘unreservedly’ for an on air joke about the disgraced movie mogul at the centre of a Hollywood rape and sexual harassment scandal.

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Gove faced a furious backlash on after suggesting that being interviewed by BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys was like ‘going into Harvey Weinstein’s bedroom’.

In a tweet following criticism, he said: ‘Apologies for my clumsy attempt at humour on R4 Today this morning -it wasn’t appropriate. I’m sorry and apologise unreservedly.’


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Weinstein has been accused of the harassment of over 40 women (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Mr Gove was one of the guests during the programme’s 60th anniversary edition when he compared presenter John Humphrys to disgraced US film producer Weinstein, who is at the centre of a number of sexual harassment allegations.



He said of Humphrys: ‘Sometimes I think that coming into the studio with you John is like going into Harvey Weinstein’s bedroom.’

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He added: ‘You just pray that you emerge with your dignity intact.’

Mr Gove was joined for the interview by former Labour leader Lord Kinnock, who added: ‘John goes way past groping.’

The audience responded with a mixture of laughter and applause before the discussion moved on.

Gove was slammed for his crass attempt at humour and tweeted:

Apologies for my clumsy attempt at humour on R4 Today this morning -it wasn't appropriate. I'm sorry and apologise unreservedly — Michael Gove (@michaelgove) October 28, 2017

Listeners took to Twitter to condemn the politician for his remark, including Labour MP Jess Phillips.

Ms Phillips wrote: ‘Michael Gove just left the studio without his dignity.’

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Actor Stephen Mangan wrote: ‘Morning. Here’s a rape joke from Michael Gove to start your day.’

One person commented that ‘there are no words for how appalling he is’.

Another said ‘Rape and harassment are not a joke @BBCr4today £r4today’.