Radio 4’s Today programme turned 60 today and decided to hold a special programme of self-congratulation. Unfortunately they decided to invite Michael Gove on, and that’s where it all went wrong.
Asked to describe his previous experiences of being interviewed on the programme, Gove responded thus:
After weeks of allegations of rape, Brexit politician Michael Gove makes a revolting 'joke'. #HarveyWeinsteinpic.twitter.com/p27LSWlhhP
— Will Black (@WillBlackWriter) October 28, 2017
What is especially horrible is that fellow panellist Neil Kinnock chimed in with his own “joke”, and the studio audience responded with laughter and applause.
Gove has apologised, but this seems to be a problem with so many areas of public life right now. On an issue which has caused distress and affected the lives of many people, the men in suits can all yuck it up and treat it as a joke. To them, this is all just another game. It’s awful.
Today is 60 years old – so maybe it’s time for it to be retired?