Michael Gove has been slammed by former Conservative MP and GB News presenter Michael Portillo, following his decision to step down at the next general election.
Issuing a statement after Rishi Sunak's announcement of a July 4 election, Gove said it had been an "honour of his life" to serve as MP for Surrey Heath for 20 years, but on "careful reflection", now was the time to step down.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities also acknowledged the "toll office can take, as do those closest to me" in his statement.
Speaking to Camilla Tominey on GB News, Portillo criticised Gove's decision alongside a record-breaking 77 other MPs who have chosen to step down, branding them "ungrateful".
Michael Portillo hit out at 'ungrateful' Michael Gove for stepping down after 20 years
GB News / PA
Portillo fumed: "Members of Parliament got elected because they have constituency associations that work very hard for them, and given them tremendous loyalty.
"I think it is the most profound discourtesy to give up your seat when the election's announced. If you want to leave, you should give six months or 12 months notice."
Camilla then asked if Gove's reasoning for stepping down could be due to the Liberal Democrats "breathing down his neck", similarly to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Portillo admitted: "I think it's very, very possible. But it's just about courtesy."
Rishi Sunak called a July 4 General Election earlier this week
PA
Portillo also expressed concern for the constituencies of the Tory MPs standing down, who are now having to "scramble to find candidates" to represent them in July's ballot.
Portillo told GB News: "These poor constituencies now are scrambling around to find candidates, the ones that are won, in this case by the Conservatives, will they be certain that the candidate they've chosen is of quality? Will they have had time to do background checks?
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"I think members of Parliament who leave at the last moment like this are using their constituencies like a public convenience, I really do, it's so discourteous."
Camilla was taken aback by Portillo's remarks, noting just how "angry" the former MP is by Gove's decision.
She then highlighted: "You were there in '97. You have to stand up, you have to face the music, if you lose and you become this totem for the failure of your own party, you've got to own it. Life continues, life goes on."
When asked if he believes Gove and the other Tory MPs who chose to stand down are "lacking in courage", Portillo disagreed, responding: "I don't think there's any lack in courage in deciding that you want to leave Parliament.
Michael Portillo says MPs who are stepping down at the election are 'ungrateful'
GB News
"I just think as a matter of courtesy, you've got to make the announcement at the right time. It's so ungrateful to all the people who worked for you for all these years just to say, oh well, I'm off now, and I don't care what kind of stew you're left in trying to find a decent candidate."
Camilla claimed that the decision by the 78 MPs "shows a complete lack of confidence in the Tories election strategy" and in Rishi Sunak as a leader.
Portillo responded: "We hear that Michael Gove congratulated the Prime Minister, urged the Prime Minister to take this decision.
"He said it was bold, but apparently not bold enough to be part of the team during the election, and not bold enough to be a candidate at the election. So I think that doesn't look very good."
