Michael Gove says he has driven 'on occasion' to test his eyesight

26 May 2020, 08:31 | Updated: 29 May 2020, 11:47

Michael Gove says he has driven to test his eyesight

EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Michael Gove told LBC he had driven to check his eyesight, but he was "not an authority on driving" as it had taken him seven times to pass his test.

When Nick Ferrari put it to Cabinet Minister Michael Gove that Dominic Cumming's Land Rover would not have the petrol capacity to get to and from Durham, the minister said he thought he "bought diesel on the way back."

Nick said "so, then he would have risked infecting other people?"

But Mr Gove denied this, "because by the time he drove back he was no longer infectious," and he said that the Prime Minister's senior adviser had received medical advice by this point.

The questions come after Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's most senior adviser took a controversial trip to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown.

During a press conference in the Downing Street garden, Mr Cummings said he had taken a "short drive" with his wife and child to Barnard Castle because his eyesight had been affected by the disease his wife did not want to risk the long drive back to London so they went on a "short drive" to Barnard Castle.

Breaking: Boris Johnson's approval ratings drop to -1% after refusing to sack Dominic Cummings

Read more: James O'Brien's theory on what Dominic Cummings "holds over" Boris Johnson

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Michael Gove says test, track and trace WILL be in place by June 1

The LBC presenter questioned Mr Gove if he would have gone "on a 60-mile round trip to test your eyesight?"

"I have, on occasions in the past, driven with my wife in order to make sure, what's the right way of putting it," Mr Gove said.

Nick Ferrari said he was "staggered," suggesting he did not know how the Government minister was "going to be able to get out of this one."

The Minister shot back the "people who know me would know that I am not an authority on driving."

He added he was "not the best person in the world to ask detailed questions about driving."

"I merely asked you if you've ever been on a 60-mile round trip to test your eyesight and you said you had," an incredulous Nick said.

The Minister clarified the point he was "seeking to make" was that he is "not an authority on driving" as "someone who took seven attempts to pass their driving test, I'm not going to pass judgement on other people's driving."

Read more: Police Officer tells LBC people use Dominic Cummings as lockdown excuse

Read more: Government releases full list of which shops can reopen and when

Watch the whole interview below

Nick Ferrari grills Michael Gove over Dominic Cummings scandal

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London

Farage urges farmers to 'keep the pressure up' as tractor protest hits Westminster over Labour’s ‘family farm tax’

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

Parish councillor resigns after being accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet cat

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

‘It made me feel physically sick’: Cat owner’s fury at parish councillor accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet

Nick Ferrari Reflects on an Unforgettable Journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust Survivor Arek Hersh

Nick Ferrari reflects on an unforgettable journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Exclusive
Online extremism under scrutiny: The Prime Minister calls for tougher regulations to curb access to violent content following the Southport murders.

Terrorism ‘kill guides’ shared in social media groups targeting 'loners' and people 'obsessed with violence'

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Exclusive
The Chagos Islands deal is set to be a 'disaster' for US-UK relations, a former Home Secretary has said

'Surrender' of Chagos Islands to Mauritius would be 'disaster' for Labour's relationship with Trump, Braverman says

Exclusive
Britain's deal to cede the Chagos Islands has been cast into doubt

Labour deal to hand over Chagos Islands thrown into doubt as Starmer gives Trump time to 'consider' agreement

Exclusive
The UK and Mauritius said they have made "good progress" on a revised agreement, with Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam claiming the UK wants it finalised before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20.

UK 'mid negotiation' over Chagos deal as government deny they're rushing deal through before Trump takes office

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves faces growing scrutiny as market jitters spark calls for fiscal clarity

Rachel Reeves faces growing pressure as market turmoil raises questions over Labour's fiscal credibility

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign

Reform is “fixed” in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Reform is 'fixed' in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Nigel Farage has told LBC he has "no desire to go to war with Elon Musk".

Nigel Farage tells LBC he doesn't want 'war' with Elon Musk and he plans to 'mend fences' at Trump's inauguration