Michael Gove has got into trouble with his neighbours for venturing onto the roof of their property next door to his grace-and-favour
London pad. The Cabinet minister has been living in One Carlton Gardens, a £25million mansion a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace . Now it has emerged Mr Gove has been told off after he and guests wandered onto the roof of the neighbouring building. The next door property, which is occupied by the Institute for Government, looks out over the Mall. Mr Gove, 56, has been put up at One Carlton Gardens, which is normally reserved for the Foreign Secretary, following his separation from Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine. The six-storey property, built in 1830, includes two dining rooms and a three-bedroom apartment. Luckily for Mr Gove, who has become known for his enthusiastic dancing, it also has its own ballroom. The house has been the official residence of the Foreign Secretary since 1945 when Ernest Bevin complained about his “shabby flat” in Downing Street. One Carlton Gardens has its own ballroom, which is convenient for enthusiastic dancer Michael Gove ( Image: MDM) The Grade I listed building was designed by architect John Nash and was once a shelter for Louis Napoleon, later Emperor Napoleon III of
France. It is leased by the Foreign Office from the Crown Estate, which looks after the King’s properties. A source close to Mr Gove said he went up onto the roof with his family over a year ago and accidentally strayed onto the wrong section. "He is grateful to the IFG security team for their vigilance," the source added. In November 2021,
Boris Johnson agreed that Mr Gove could stay at One Carlton Gardens as Liz Truss , who was Foreign Secretary at the time, did not use the apartment. Security concerns are understood to have played a key role in the decision to let him live there. Tory MPs had speculated that after being appointed to the role David Cameron might evict him in revenge for his leading role in the
Brexit referendum that ended his premiership. The Foreign Secretary was said to be “shocked and hurt” after Mr Gove backed the Leave campaign and accused him of behaving “appallingly”. But Lord Cameron has extended the olive branch to his former friend by allowing him to remain there as he already has a house in the capital. Mr Gove and Ms Vine announced their separation after 20 years of marriage in July 2021. In a joint statement, the couple said they remained “close friends” and would continue supporting their two children. A friend said they had “drifted apart over the past couple of years”. Join our FREE Mirror politics
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