Later in the day Mr Gove spoke to the BBC to explain his actions. He said that: “In the last four days I had a chance to see up close and personal how Boris dealt with some of the decisions we needed to make in order to take this country forward. During that period I had hoped that Boris would rise to the occasion… but I saw him seek to meet and not pass those tests.

“I also thought ultimately, can I recommend to my friends that this person is right to be prime minister?” The answer was no.

He added: “I think I’ll be clear to Boris when I explain to him one-to-one exactly why I’ve acted as I have. But I’m explaining to you and I’m explaining to my parliamentary colleagues and I’ll explain to anyone who asks why I think I am the right person to be prime minister.”

Not all of them seem willing to listen. As Mr Gove entered the Members’ Tea Room in Parliament on Thursday afternoon, there were no cheers or applause. The only greeting from five MPs who were in the room was: “---- off.” Politics is indeed a dirty business.