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David Cameron furious over extremism row between top ministers Cameron furious over extremism row between Gove and May
(about 11 hours later)
A furious David Cameron has ordered all the facts to be laid before him after a row between Theresa May and Michael Gove over the government's strategy in tackling Islamist extremism burst into the open, overshadowing the final Queen's speech before the general election.A furious David Cameron has ordered all the facts to be laid before him after a row between Theresa May and Michael Gove over the government's strategy in tackling Islamist extremism burst into the open, overshadowing the final Queen's speech before the general election.
The prime minister raised his concerns with Gove in a brief meeting in Downing Street on Wednesday morning in advance of the Queen's speech after No 10 awoke to headlines about a major falling-out between two of the cabinet's heaviest hitters. Cameron, who left London shortly after the Queen's speech for the G7 summit in Brussels, has asked for a full briefing on all the contacts between May and Gove to be placed on his desk by the time he returns home later this week, amid a feeling at senior levels that there was fault on both sides.The prime minister raised his concerns with Gove in a brief meeting in Downing Street on Wednesday morning in advance of the Queen's speech after No 10 awoke to headlines about a major falling-out between two of the cabinet's heaviest hitters. Cameron, who left London shortly after the Queen's speech for the G7 summit in Brussels, has asked for a full briefing on all the contacts between May and Gove to be placed on his desk by the time he returns home later this week, amid a feeling at senior levels that there was fault on both sides.
The row exploded when the Times reported that the home secretary and the education secretary were "at war" over the government's strategy in tackling extremism. The Times quoted an education department source as saying that Charles Farr, the Home Office official in charge of security and counter-terrorism, is wrong to target only violent extremists. Gove believes that all extremists, whether or not they support violence, should be tackled.The row exploded when the Times reported that the home secretary and the education secretary were "at war" over the government's strategy in tackling extremism. The Times quoted an education department source as saying that Charles Farr, the Home Office official in charge of security and counter-terrorism, is wrong to target only violent extremists. Gove believes that all extremists, whether or not they support violence, should be tackled.
Using vivid language, the source told the Times: "Farr always believed if extremists become violent we should deal with it. It has been characterised by others in government as just beating back the crocodiles that came close to the boat rather than draining the swamp."Using vivid language, the source told the Times: "Farr always believed if extremists become violent we should deal with it. It has been characterised by others in government as just beating back the crocodiles that came close to the boat rather than draining the swamp."
Gove, who wrote a polemical book, Celsius 7/7, in 2006 on the dangers posed by extremism, told Cameron that he was the source quoted in the Times. He said he had returned to the newspaper where he once worked for a 70-minute lunch on Monday and had made the remarks in response to questions about the "Trojan horse" alleged infiltration of schools in Birmingham by extremists.Gove, who wrote a polemical book, Celsius 7/7, in 2006 on the dangers posed by extremism, told Cameron that he was the source quoted in the Times. He said he had returned to the newspaper where he once worked for a 70-minute lunch on Monday and had made the remarks in response to questions about the "Trojan horse" alleged infiltration of schools in Birmingham by extremists.
The admission by Gove that he was the source for the Times story was seen as important in Whitehall, where it had initially been assumed that the education secretary had deliberately decided to launch a strike against May on the eve of the Queen's speech. Gove told Cameron that he had simply answered questions from the Times editorial board in an open manner and in a way that was entirely consistent with the prime minister's speech on extremism at the Munich security conference in 2011.The admission by Gove that he was the source for the Times story was seen as important in Whitehall, where it had initially been assumed that the education secretary had deliberately decided to launch a strike against May on the eve of the Queen's speech. Gove told Cameron that he had simply answered questions from the Times editorial board in an open manner and in a way that was entirely consistent with the prime minister's speech on extremism at the Munich security conference in 2011.
The prime minister made clear to Gove that he was deeply disappointed that the row had overshadowed the Queen's speech. But eyebrows in Whitehall were also raised at the response from the home secretary's office.The prime minister made clear to Gove that he was deeply disappointed that the row had overshadowed the Queen's speech. But eyebrows in Whitehall were also raised at the response from the home secretary's office.
May released a letter to Gove to the Times on Wednesday afternoon. A link to the letter was posted at 12.24am in the morning on the official Home Office Twitter feed after the first edition of the Times was published. It is thought that Fiona Cunningham, the home secretary's media special adviser, who is also in a relationship with Farr, may face questions about the tweet.May released a letter to Gove to the Times on Wednesday afternoon. A link to the letter was posted at 12.24am in the morning on the official Home Office Twitter feed after the first edition of the Times was published. It is thought that Fiona Cunningham, the home secretary's media special adviser, who is also in a relationship with Farr, may face questions about the tweet.
One senior Whitehall source said: "We have to get to the bottom of what happened. The release of the letter in the early hours was unusual. We will establish the facts and respond accordingly."One senior Whitehall source said: "We have to get to the bottom of what happened. The release of the letter in the early hours was unusual. We will establish the facts and respond accordingly."
May's office only sent the letter to Gove's office at 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon – eight hours before the tweet. There was some surprise because the letter was not technically about the disagreement between Gove and May about tackling extremism, which dated back to a meeting of the Whitehall Prevent committee last November.May's office only sent the letter to Gove's office at 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon – eight hours before the tweet. There was some surprise because the letter was not technically about the disagreement between Gove and May about tackling extremism, which dated back to a meeting of the Whitehall Prevent committee last November.
Gove had written to the prime minister, in a letter copied to May and all members of the committee, after they failed to reach agreement at the November meeting. A compromise was then agreed.Gove had written to the prime minister, in a letter copied to May and all members of the committee, after they failed to reach agreement at the November meeting. A compromise was then agreed.
The letter from May sent on Tuesday dealt with the more narrow issue of a voluntary code of practice for madrassas and supplementary schools. The letter addressed the policy but then had a final paragraph, likened to a letter from a shadow secretary of state, which posed a series of hostile questions about the failure of the education department to tackle extremism in Birmingham schools.The letter from May sent on Tuesday dealt with the more narrow issue of a voluntary code of practice for madrassas and supplementary schools. The letter addressed the policy but then had a final paragraph, likened to a letter from a shadow secretary of state, which posed a series of hostile questions about the failure of the education department to tackle extremism in Birmingham schools.
Tory MPs lined up on either side of the May/Gove battle, which is being fuelled by the eventual succession to the prime minister. Crispin Blunt, the former prisons minister, accused Gove of using Britain's national security council to promote "neocon" ideas that could encourage moderates to move towards Islamist extremism.Tory MPs lined up on either side of the May/Gove battle, which is being fuelled by the eventual succession to the prime minister. Crispin Blunt, the former prisons minister, accused Gove of using Britain's national security council to promote "neocon" ideas that could encourage moderates to move towards Islamist extremism.
One senior Tory said the home secretary was irritated that Gove writes to the prime minister when he struggles to win the argument in cabinet committees. The MP said: "It would be wrong to say that Theresa is at the end of her tether. She always keeps going. It is cold fury rather than losing her temper."One senior Tory said the home secretary was irritated that Gove writes to the prime minister when he struggles to win the argument in cabinet committees. The MP said: "It would be wrong to say that Theresa is at the end of her tether. She always keeps going. It is cold fury rather than losing her temper."
Supporters of a potential leadership bid by George Osborne, the chancellor, whose numbers include Gove, believe the home secretary is stamping her mark on the party. "This is Theresa laying out her standard," one minister said. "People admire Theresa but there aren't really any May-ites prepared to go into the trenches with her. In contrast George has legions of supporters whose numbers are increasing as the economy improves. Michael is so close to George they are joined at the hip."Supporters of a potential leadership bid by George Osborne, the chancellor, whose numbers include Gove, believe the home secretary is stamping her mark on the party. "This is Theresa laying out her standard," one minister said. "People admire Theresa but there aren't really any May-ites prepared to go into the trenches with her. In contrast George has legions of supporters whose numbers are increasing as the economy improves. Michael is so close to George they are joined at the hip."
Relations between Gove and May have been poisonous since the education secretary challenged her during a cabinet meeting last year to stop undermining the prime minister when he spoke out against prominent Tories promoting their leadership credentials. Since that intervention in March last year, when she set out a wide-ranging credo in a speech to a ConservativeHome conference, May has immeasurably strengthened her position. She is widely seen as one of the steadiest cabinet ministers who, with little fanfare, has made deep changes most notably in policing.Relations between Gove and May have been poisonous since the education secretary challenged her during a cabinet meeting last year to stop undermining the prime minister when he spoke out against prominent Tories promoting their leadership credentials. Since that intervention in March last year, when she set out a wide-ranging credo in a speech to a ConservativeHome conference, May has immeasurably strengthened her position. She is widely seen as one of the steadiest cabinet ministers who, with little fanfare, has made deep changes most notably in policing.
"Theresa is a brilliant example of how you can do more with less," one admiring minister said, citing her recent speech in which she warned the Police Federation that she will change the law unless it introduces far-reaching reforms. May has been rewarded for her performance after she came top in a ConservativeHome poll of likely contenders for the leadership."Theresa is a brilliant example of how you can do more with less," one admiring minister said, citing her recent speech in which she warned the Police Federation that she will change the law unless it introduces far-reaching reforms. May has been rewarded for her performance after she came top in a ConservativeHome poll of likely contenders for the leadership.
The home secretary secured the support of 35% of party members, an increase of 15 points in a month. Boris Johnson was on 23% with Gove trailing on 7.9%.The home secretary secured the support of 35% of party members, an increase of 15 points in a month. Boris Johnson was on 23% with Gove trailing on 7.9%.
But Gove does not see himself as a future Tory leader. He is instead motivated by two key factors. These are: ensuring that the government leaves a lasting legacy in key areas, such as schools reform and tackling extremism; and shoring up the position of the prime minister and the chancellor, George Osborne, his favourite for the succession.But Gove does not see himself as a future Tory leader. He is instead motivated by two key factors. These are: ensuring that the government leaves a lasting legacy in key areas, such as schools reform and tackling extremism; and shoring up the position of the prime minister and the chancellor, George Osborne, his favourite for the succession.
The Gove tactics have also led to tensions with Johnson, who was upset when the education secretary told Rupert Murdoch and his key UK staff that the London mayor would be unsuitable as a prime minister.The Gove tactics have also led to tensions with Johnson, who was upset when the education secretary told Rupert Murdoch and his key UK staff that the London mayor would be unsuitable as a prime minister.