MICHAEL Gove was mobbed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Victoria station in London late on Saturday after a day fraught with tensions over a rally and counter-protests held on Armistice Day.
Footage shared on social media showed the senior Cabinet minister flanked by a large police contingent trying to keep dozens of demonstrators away from him as he passed through the railway station.
The flag-waving protesters crowding him were heard chanting “shame on you” as officers shouted at them to “get back”.
There was just a mad pile in at London’s Victoria station as Michael Gove appeared, for some bizarre reason, in the middle of a sit in protest for Palestine. He was greeted with screams of “shame on you!”. pic.twitter.com/VYGgph6uuN
— Liz Cookman (@liz_cookman) November 11, 2023
In another clip, the Levelling Up Secretary was seen walking down a London street as protesters followed him chanting the same slogan.
This led to a mixed reaction from politicians.
Former cabinet minister Nadine Dorries questioned why Michael Gove was at the station.
She said: “What was Michael Gove doing in the middle of Victoria station on a day when every other sensible politician will not want to make the police’s job any harder.
“Was he drunk? What was he doing there? Why was he there? What judgment made him walk through Victoria station?”
Other politicians expressed solidarity with Gove.
Dame Arlene Foster, former first minister of Northern Ireland, tweeted: “This is so disgraceful.
“Sending solidarity to @michaelgove and all those who seek to go about their private business on a Saturday afternoon but who are intimidated by thugs.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan described attempts to intimidate politicians as “unacceptable”.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “It’s not ‘bizarre’ for Michael Gove to use a major tube/train station. He should be able to travel in peace like everyone else.
“Those acting in this fashion damage their cause and, along with those displaying abhorrent antisemitism amongst the rally today, must be condemned.”
Gove’s office has been contacted for comment.
