Michael Gove Mocked By Andrew Neil For 'Never Wanting To Be PM' On BBC’s This Week

'I’m not equipped to present Question Time'
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This Week host Andrew Neil has roundly mocked Prime Ministerial hopeful Michael Gove for his astonishing U-turn in the Tory leadership race.

The skit which aired at the start of the show, poked fun at Gove’s repeated insistence that he had no desire to become Prime Minister, once even stating he was “not equipped” to lead the country.

Gove shocked Westminster on Thursday by launching a leadership bid. He had been expected to support Boris Johnson’s bid to succeed David Cameron, but his announcement saw Johnson dramatically drop out of the race.

Michael Gove has announced he will run for the Conservative leadership
Michael Gove has announced he will run for the Conservative leadership
Isabel Infantes/EMPICS Entertainment

Addressing the camera, Neil introduced his show by stating: "Let me make clear what I have repeatedly said before: I do not want to present Question Time. I could not present Question Time. I’m not equipped to present Question Time.

"This has always been my view. There are lots of talented people who could do it.

"But count me out. Whatever posters you put up on your wall, do not put one up of me.

Gove's announcement has seen Boris Johnson rule himself out of the race
Gove's announcement has seen Boris Johnson rule himself out of the race
Andrew Parsons/PA Wire

"There are far better people than me who could and should do it.

"But not me. I couldn’t be clearer."

At this point, Neil is phoned by the BBC Director General, who offers him the job to present Question Time.

A simpering Neil enthusiastically accepts...

All the times Michael Gove ruled out being PM

Four years ago
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I'm constitutionally incapable of it. There's a special extra quality you need that is indefinable, and I know I don't have it. There's an equanimity, an impermeability and a courage that you need. There are some things in life you know it's better not to try."
Five months after that
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I don't want to be prime minister... Having seen close up how [Cameron] does the job, I know that I couldn't do it.

"I don't know what I can do in a way but if anyone wants me to sign a piece of parchment in my own blood saying I don't want to be prime minister, then I'm perfectly happy to do that."
Two months after that
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"There are lots of other folk, including in the Cabinet, who could easily be Prime Minster. I'm not one of them. I could not be Prime Minister. I'm not equipped to be Prime Minister. I don't want to be Prime Minister."
Last month
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I don’t want to do it and there are people who are far better equipped than me to do it.

"And there are people who have advocated Leave and people who have advocated Remain who are far better than me to do it.”
Three weeks ago
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"The one thing I can tell you is there are lots of talented people who could be Prime Minister after David Cameron but count me out."
12 days ago
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"In order to be prime minister of this country, you need to be an exceptional person... I don’t think I have got that exceptional level of ability required for the job."
Announcing his leadership bid today
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
"I have always said that I do not want to be Prime Minister. That has always been my view."
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