Michael Gove failed to register hospitality with donor whose firm he referred for PPE contracts

A spokesperson said: ‘Mr Gove is grateful to the Guardian for bringing this matter to his attention.’ Photograph: Tayfun Salcı/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

Michael Gove failed to register hospitality he enjoyed with a Conservative donor whose company he had recommended for multimillion-pound personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts during the Covid pandemic, the Guardian can reveal.

While still minister for the Cabinet Office, in August 2021 Gove was entertained to VIP hospitality at a Queens Park Rangers (QPR) football match with David Meller, whose fashion products company had been awarded £164m PPE contracts following Gove’s referral in May 2020.