The allegations relate to media reports by the Times on abuse in Rotherham in 2011 (Image: Getty)
Lord Michael Gove has admitted claims made by Dominic Cummings that Whitehall officials attempted to hinder journalists' attempts to report on the grooming gangs scandal in 2011. Cummings made the claims earlier this week, alleging that he rejected advice from Department for Education officials who floated the idea of blocking journalists from publishing reports of abuse in Rotherham.
Gove said: “We contacted Rotherham Council and said we do want to intervene in this case, but on behalf of The Times, because it is absolutely vital that the truth be told." Earlier this week, the Government agreed to hold an inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal following the release of a report by Baroness Louise Casey into the abuse and its handling by authorities. The announcement comes despite the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and senior government ministers rejecting calls for a national inquiry earlier this year.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Sponsored Sponsored
Chamelo leverages liquid crystal technology. Game-changing, performance-enhancing, and mood-boosting sunglasses. Made with next-gen Chamelo？ lenses, created to help you see better.
Shop Now
Undo
Chamelo technology is cutting-edge with new styles. Made with next-gen Chamelo？ lenses, created to help you see better.Made with next-gen Chamelo？ lenses, created to help you see better.
Buy Now
Undo
Chamelo leverages liquid crystal technology. Made with next-gen Chamelo？ lenses, created to help you see better.Made with next-gen Chamelo？ lenses, created to help you see better.
Shop Now
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Labour minister left squirming in tense GMB grilling as she begs ‘forgive me'
Comments
Keir Starmer must apologise to grooming gang victims after latest U-turn, critics declare
275 Comments
How NHS and councils covered up grooming gangs scandal with sickening move
25 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for labelling grooming gang fears 'far right'
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch slams grooming gang cover ups as one of Britain's 'biggest scandals'
23 Comments
Nigel Farage issues huge warning to Keir Starmer over grooming gang probe
58 Comments
Keir Starmer's overdue rape gangs U-turn must be first step in listening to working class
30 Comments
Kemi Badenoch skewers Keir Starmer with three-word slap down over grooming gangs
536 Comments
Keir Starmer told to ‘resign' over grooming gangs by GB News guest in scathing review
3 Comments
Grooming gang victim's outrage as bombshell report published - 'sacrificed for votes!'
284 Comments
Diane Abbott sparks fury with debunked grooming gangs claim
290 Comments
Furious GB News grooming gang row erupts as Esther McVey rages 'let yourself down!'
46 Comments
POLL: Should late-term abortions be legalised in UK?
53 Comments
Politics LIVE: David Lammy races to Washington amid US-Iran war fears
289 Comments
Stop Paying $300 for Tree Trimming (Do This Instead)Tool Insider | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Report finds asylum seekers involved in 'significant' number of grooming gang cases
158 Comments
Keir Starmer under fire as he faces fresh grooming gang bombshell
535 Comments
66-Year-Old Carpenter's Breakthrough "Electric Method" is Making Heavy Chainsaws ObsoleteTool Insider | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Moment Rachel Reeves is torn to shreds over grooming gangs U-turn
354 Comments
Keir Starmer caves in and accepts call for national child grooming gang inquiry
584 Comments
15 Most Gorgeous Women, RankedBigGlobalTravel | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Labour minister abruptly pulled off GB News as presenter takes brutal swipe
66 Comments
‘I'm raging!' Louise Casey vents fury on Newsnight that ‘rape laws don't protect girls'
14 Comments
Learn More: Prostate CancerGoodRx | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour minister left squirming in tense GMB grilling as she begs ‘forgive me'
Comments
Keir Starmer must apologise to grooming gang victims after latest U-turn, critics declare
275 Comments
10 Best Mattresses by Consumer Reports (Here's What You May Not Want to Miss)QuestionHero | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
How NHS and councils covered up grooming gangs scandal with sickening move
25 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for labelling grooming gang fears 'far right'
137 Comments
Search Results For Best Healthy Diet Plans OnlineSponsored Ads | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch slams grooming gang cover ups as one of Britain's 'biggest scandals'
23 Comments
Nigel Farage issues huge warning to Keir Starmer over grooming gang probe
58 Comments
Classic White Polo with UsA Flag for Patriotic Holiday OutfitsKaittly | Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Keir Starmer's overdue rape gangs U-turn must be first step in listening to working class
30 Comments
Kemi Badenoch skewers Keir Starmer with three-word slap down over grooming gangs
536 Comments
This Tiny House Is Only 32 Sq. Ft., Here's How It Looks Inside!Little Fries | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer told to ‘resign' over grooming gangs by GB News guest in scathing review
3 Comments
Grooming gang victim's outrage as bombshell report published - 'sacrificed for votes!'
284 Comments
Dog Owners: Solve Barking Issues FastTopchicdeals | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Diane Abbott sparks fury with debunked grooming gangs claim
290 Comments
Furious GB News grooming gang row erupts as Esther McVey rages 'let yourself down!'
46 Comments
Tom Cruise's Daughter Is Hands Down The Most Beautiful Woman In The World.Fab Pop | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
POLL: Should late-term abortions be legalised in UK?
53 Comments
Politics LIVE: David Lammy races to Washington amid US-Iran war fears
289 Comments
Report finds asylum seekers involved in 'significant' number of grooming gang cases
158 Comments
Keir Starmer under fire as he faces fresh grooming gang bombshell
535 Comments
Moment Rachel Reeves is torn to shreds over grooming gangs U-turn
354 Comments
Keir Starmer caves in and accepts call for national child grooming gang inquiry
584 Comments
Labour minister abruptly pulled off GB News as presenter takes brutal swipe
66 Comments
‘I'm raging!' Louise Casey vents fury on Newsnight that ‘rape laws don't protect girls'
14 Comments
Labour minister left squirming in tense GMB grilling as she begs ‘forgive me'
Comments
Keir Starmer must apologise to grooming gang victims after latest U-turn, critics declare
275 Comments
How NHS and councils covered up grooming gangs scandal with sickening move
25 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for labelling grooming gang fears 'far right'
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch slams grooming gang cover ups as one of Britain's 'biggest scandals'
23 Comments
Nigel Farage issues huge warning to Keir Starmer over grooming gang probe
58 Comments
Keir Starmer's overdue rape gangs U-turn must be first step in listening to working class
30 Comments
Don't miss... Everyone 'complicit' in grooming gangs should be prosecuted [LATEST]
The debate on the merits of a national inquiry dominated the news agenda earlier this year (Image: Getty)
Confirming the allegations made by Cummings, Gove told GB News: "Dominic's account is broadly absolutely correct.
"So Andrew Norfolk, the very brave and sadly deceased reporter at the Times who was responsible more than anyone for initially uncovering the grooming gang scandal, had been investigating Rotherham.
Powered By
00:00/01:35
10 Sec
37.2K
7
Michael Gove apologises to bereaved Covid families for Goverment failures
Next
Stay
"It was the case that he wanted to publish details that related to one particularly tragic case. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council at the time didn't want the full details revealed."
Sponsored
Airlines | Sponsored Sponsored
Las Vegas Seniors May Fly Business Class For Price Of Economy With This
Undo
He added: "They approached the Government and the Department for Education, where I was Secretary of State at the time, asked us to join them in a legal case in order to prevent the Times publishing.
“I looked at the material alongside Dominic and some other people in the department, and we contacted Rotherham Council and we said, yes, we will intervene in this case, but on behalf of The Times, because it's absolutely vital that the truth be told."
Don't miss...
Outrageous reason two members of the Rochdale grooming gang can't be deported [LATEST]
Tense GB News grooming gang row erupts as Esther McVey rages 'let yourself down' [LATEST]
Lee Anderson issues 4-word demand as Keir Starmer mulls ECHR move [LATEST]
A report by Baroness Casey this week set out the need for a national inquiry to be held (Image: Getty)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Trending
Gove claims that some officials in the Department for Education were against the decision to side with The Times, claiming that it could have had an adverse effect on other potential victims.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Labour minister left squirming in tense GMB grilling as she begs ‘forgive me'
Comments
Keir Starmer must apologise to grooming gang victims after latest U-turn, critics declare
275 Comments
How NHS and councils covered up grooming gangs scandal with sickening move
25 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for labelling grooming gang fears 'far right'
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch slams grooming gang cover ups as one of Britain's 'biggest scandals'
23 Comments
Nigel Farage issues huge warning to Keir Starmer over grooming gang probe
58 Comments
Keir Starmer's overdue rape gangs U-turn must be first step in listening to working class
30 Comments
Kemi Badenoch skewers Keir Starmer with three-word slap down over grooming gangs
536 Comments
Keir Starmer told to ‘resign' over grooming gangs by GB News guest in scathing review
3 Comments
Grooming gang victim's outrage as bombshell report published - 'sacrificed for votes!'
284 Comments
Diane Abbott sparks fury with debunked grooming gangs claim
290 Comments
Furious GB News grooming gang row erupts as Esther McVey rages 'let yourself down!'
46 Comments
POLL: Should late-term abortions be legalised in UK?
53 Comments
Politics LIVE: David Lammy races to Washington amid US-Iran war fears
289 Comments
Meryl Streep & Husband Unexpected AnnouncementVibeForest | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Report finds asylum seekers involved in 'significant' number of grooming gang cases
158 Comments
Keir Starmer under fire as he faces fresh grooming gang bombshell
535 Comments
Power Up Your TradingTradeStation | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Moment Rachel Reeves is torn to shreds over grooming gangs U-turn
354 Comments
Keir Starmer caves in and accepts call for national child grooming gang inquiry
584 Comments
Think Hand Sanitizer For Your NoseNozin？ Nasal Sanitizer？ | Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Labour minister abruptly pulled off GB News as presenter takes brutal swipe
66 Comments
‘I'm raging!' Louise Casey vents fury on Newsnight that ‘rape laws don't protect girls'
14 Comments
More People, More GermsNozin？ Nasal Sanitizer？ | Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Labour minister left squirming in tense GMB grilling as she begs ‘forgive me'
Comments
Keir Starmer must apologise to grooming gang victims after latest U-turn, critics declare
275 Comments
21 Photos Accidentally Captured by Trail Cams.App Cute | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
How NHS and councils covered up grooming gangs scandal with sickening move
25 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for labelling grooming gang fears 'far right'
137 Comments
I wear this shirt when I have trouble dressing. It is perfect for any occasion.Humerges.com | Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Kemi Badenoch slams grooming gang cover ups as one of Britain's 'biggest scandals'
23 Comments
Nigel Farage issues huge warning to Keir Starmer over grooming gang probe
58 Comments
George Clooney and Wife's Unexpected AnnouncementVibeForest | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer's overdue rape gangs U-turn must be first step in listening to working class
30 Comments
Kemi Badenoch skewers Keir Starmer with three-word slap down over grooming gangs
536 Comments
Your Card Payment Has Failed? Update payment…McAfee | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer told to ‘resign' over grooming gangs by GB News guest in scathing review
3 Comments
Grooming gang victim's outrage as bombshell report published - 'sacrificed for votes!'
284 Comments
The Worst States To Travel in America, RankedBigGlobalTravel | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Diane Abbott sparks fury with debunked grooming gangs claim
290 Comments
Furious GB News grooming gang row erupts as Esther McVey rages 'let yourself down!'
46 Comments
Three Dreamy Hotels to Book for Your Next London GetawayTravel + Leisure | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
POLL: Should late-term abortions be legalised in UK?
53 Comments
Politics LIVE: David Lammy races to Washington amid US-Iran war fears
289 Comments
Report finds asylum seekers involved in 'significant' number of grooming gang cases
158 Comments
Keir Starmer under fire as he faces fresh grooming gang bombshell
535 Comments
Moment Rachel Reeves is torn to shreds over grooming gangs U-turn
354 Comments
Keir Starmer caves in and accepts call for national child grooming gang inquiry
584 Comments
Labour minister abruptly pulled off GB News as presenter takes brutal swipe
66 Comments
‘I'm raging!' Louise Casey vents fury on Newsnight that ‘rape laws don't protect girls'
14 Comments
Labour minister left squirming in tense GMB grilling as she begs ‘forgive me'
Comments
Keir Starmer must apologise to grooming gang victims after latest U-turn, critics declare
275 Comments
How NHS and councils covered up grooming gangs scandal with sickening move
25 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for labelling grooming gang fears 'far right'
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch slams grooming gang cover ups as one of Britain's 'biggest scandals'
23 Comments
Nigel Farage issues huge warning to Keir Starmer over grooming gang probe
58 Comments
Keir Starmer's overdue rape gangs U-turn must be first step in listening to working class
30 Comments
Has Honda Done It Again? The New Honda CR-V is Finally Here.TheFactualist
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Stay In the Heart of London With The Doyle CollectionTravel + Leisure
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
This Rib Prep Tool is Taking Nevada by StormMulinla
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Uranium Is Quietly Back in FocusCurationConnect
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
He continued: "The documents in question revealed some details about one particular victim, and it was argued by the council and by some officials who were sympathetic to their case, that revealing everything about the case might mean that other potential victims, other family members, might be adversely affected.
"There was also an argument that the council itself was making improvements, and as a result of these improvements being made, that would be imperilled, potentially if there were adverse publicity."
The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.