Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, has just been on the BBC's Today programme and he said six things of note, writes Jack Maidment.

1. He dismissed the decision of the European Court of Justice which ruled that Article 50 can be unilaterally revoked by the UK.

Mr Gove said: “We don’t want to stay in the EU. We voted very clearly, 17.4million people sent a clear message that we wanted to leave the European Union.

“That means also leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

“So this case is all very well but it doesn’t alter either the referendum vote or the clear intention of the Government to make sure that we leave on March 29 and the most effective way of leaving is to support the deal that the Prime Minister has secure.”

2. He said the PM’s Brexit deal can be improved.

Mr Gove said: “Of course we can improve this deal and the Prime Minister is seeking to improve this deal, but the backstop has been depicted by some as a vice for the United Kingdom.

“Clearly there are uncomfortable aspects to it. But for the European Union they have done what they said they would never do in these negotiations, they have split the four freedoms, they have allowed us to cherry pick and it will be the case for EU politicians incredibly uncomfortable to have to explain to their electorates that they are allowing unimpeded access for British goods into their markets while Britain is not paying for that access and Britain has control of its borders.”

3. He said the meaningful vote will go ahead as planned on Tuesday evening.

Asked if it was definitely, 100 per cent going to happen, Mr Gove replied: “Yes. The vote is going ahead.”

4. He warned against re-opening the Withdrawal Agreement

Mr Gove said: “One of the worries I have is that if we do attempt a fundamental re-opening or renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement, the European Union countries who recognise just how uncomfortable the backstop is for them may change the Withdrawal Agreement in a way that may not necessarily be to our advantage.”

5. He refused to rule out running to be leader of the Conservative Party.

Mr Gove said: “I think it is extremely unlikely that I would ever be in that position.”

6. He said that if anyone could secure changes to the backstop protocol, it would be the PM.

Mr Gove said: “I think it is always the case than when you have got someone like the Prime Minister who is a tough, determined, indefatigable negotiator that if there is more that can be secured in order to provide MPs and the public with reassurance that this is the right deal then there is no one better placed to get those additional concessions or changes.”