Senior Government minister Michael Gove and his journalist wife Sarah Vine are to split after almost twenty years of marriage, a joint spokesman for the couple said.

       The high-profile couple married in October 2001 but have decided to end their relationship and are "in the process of finalising their divorce".

       Their spokesman said: "Michael and Sarah have agreed to separate and they are in the process of finalising their divorce.

       "They will continue to support their two children and they remain close friends.

       "The family politely ask for privacy at this time and will not be providing any further comment."

       Ms Vine, a columnist for the Daily Mail, wrote last week, in a piece about former health secretary Matt Hancock's resignation, about how Westminster life can drive a wedge between partners.

       A friend of the couple said: "This is a difficult and sad decision for Michael and Sarah after twenty years of marriage.

       "It is an entirely amicable separation and there is no-one else involved.

       "They have drifted apart over the past couple of years but they remain friends.

       "Their absolute priority is the children."

       The couple were spotted by neighbours leaving the house at different times on Friday, as if in the process of going their separate ways for good

       Shortly after 8.30am Mr Gove, dressed in a work suit, left the terraced town house in London’s West Kensington, carrying not only his red ministerial box but two heavy looking cases which his Whitehall driver loaded into his car.

       Later the same day Ms Vine, dressed in a loose white top and flowing white trousers, loaded several bags and cases into a grey SUV with her son and left the house, heading west out of London.

       The couple appeared to have led separate lives for at least the past week, said one observer.

       “It’s all very sad. In recent days they have come and gone separately, as if they live completely independent lives already,” he said. “I feel sorry for their children to be honest.”

       While Mr Gove remained at the house, going to work as normal in the mornings and returning at the end of the day, Ms Vine is thought to have spent the past few days in Wales with her son William, 16, and daughter, Beatrice, 18, and some of their friends.

       She returned on Thursday night with the children, immediately dispatching Mr Gove to buy some provisions after her week away, for what appears to have been their last evening together as one family.

       At one point she greeted a friend in the street, but did not seem to give away any of the emotional turmoil she was no doubt feeling at the imminent divorce announcement.

       It was only the next day that the couple - who had been the subject of intense speculation in Westminster - revealed they were to divorce.

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