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Michael Gove lambasted as 'uniquely unqualified' to be Environment Secretary

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas calls him "a man who has blocked more ambitious environmental legislation at every turn".

Michael Gove in the Millbank studio.
Image: Michael Gove is back on the frontbench as Environment Secretary
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Michael Gove has been branded "uniquely unqualified" to be Environment Secretary by Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas.

The Conservative heavyweight was accused of having a "ridiculous" record on climate change as he was brought back into the Cabinet.

Ms Lucas pointed to a vote in July 2015 - when Mr Gove backed a bill to put a tax dubbed the 'climate change levy' on renewably-generated electricity.

"This is not someone who has any understanding of the severity of climate change," she told Sky News.

"If he did, he wouldn't be doing things like putting a levy that was meant to be on fossil fuels instead on renewable energy.

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of Britain's Green Party, speaks after retaining her seat in Brighton
Image: Caroline Lucas speaks after retaining her seat in Brighton

"That's like putting an alcohol tax on fruit juice. It's a ridiculous thing to do. A man who has blocked more ambitious environmental legislation at every turn.

"I think there is absolutely no evidence that he has any real understanding of this issue."

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She accused Mr Gove of seeing it as a "nuisance" instead.

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The vote, part of the 2015 Spring Budget, passed with a majority of 248. It was backed overwhelmingly by Conservative MPs.

Mr Gove said the day after his appointment: "It's a tremendous opportunity as Environment Secretary to do a job at the heart of Government, making sure we enhance one of our greatest assets - our countryside.

"And I want to do everything I can to make sure we pass on the environment in a stronger condition to the next generation."

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Gove 'surprised' by Cabinet return

Mr Gove replaced Andrea Leadsom in the post-election cabinet reshuffle, an otherwise minor affair that saw the top five posts unchanged.

Some have speculated privately it was a tactical manoeuvre by Mrs May to block any leadership challenges against her.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was reported to be considering running for the top job after a disappointing election result for the Conservatives.

But he denied all such claims as "tripe" and urged colleagues to "calm down and get behind the Prime Minister".