Gove, who is from Aberdeen, pulled out his best Scouse accent and a brief American twang while telling people to ‘calm down’ about the lack of financial support in the autumn Budget.
The cabinet minister was being quizzed live on air about the Queen’s Speech, which has been criticised by Labour for not containing enough measures to help people as the cost of living rockets.
Gove ruled out suggestions that the Government could hold an emergency budget to tackle rising costs.
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He whipped out a crude impersonation of comedian Harry Enfield’s The Scousers sketches, saying ‘calm down’ in a Liverpool accent.
He also impersonated an American news reader when he said that some commentators were turning things into a ‘major capital letters big news story’.
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Angela Rayner has blasted Gove’s speech, saying: “Is the cost of living crisis just a joke to them? This is not a serious Government. We need an Emergency Budget right now.
“People need real help, right now. But all this Government can give is a ventriloquist’s dummy.”
MP Nadia Whittome echoed that, writing: “Here’s Michael Gove mocking people asking for more support during the cost of living crisis. A report today said 1.5 million households across the UK will struggle to pay food and energy bills over the next year, but this is all a big joke to the Tories.”
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Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn commented: “Michael Gove doing his absolute best to confirm that he could not care less about the cost of living crisis.”
The parody account for Prime Minster Boris Johnson wrote: “Product Recall: This is a recall notice for all Michael Gove 1967 models. A potentially hazardous malfunction has developed, leading to random comedy accents. If you have a Michael Gove please leave it in a secure place and notify us immediately.”
Someone else asked: “Is Michael Gove drunk?”
One person said: “How many regions of this country did Michael Gove just insult.”
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And someone else simply put: “The Michael Gove interview is f***ing bizarre.”
Featured image: BBC Breakfast
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Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Featured Images — Manchester City/Neil Mellor (via X)
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Public warned not to approach wanted man last spotted in Piccadilly Gardens
Daisy Jackson
Police have launched an appeal to trace a wanted man who absconded during a visit from a secure unit.
The public are being warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith, who also goes by the name Aemon Martin.
A confirmed sighting of the 60-year-old at a Tesco Express on Piccadilly Gardens was caught on CCTV at 8.30am yesterday morning (30 April).
GMP is now assisting with Lancashire Police’s appeal after enquiries traced him to Manchester city centre.
Smith absconding during a visit to Preston on Thursday 25 April and was caught on CCTV on Bank Street in Rawtenstall the following day.
Shaun is described as white, with grey hair, a slim build, a beard and moustache.
He was last seen wearing a hat, cream jeans, grey/red t-shirt, grey cardigan, black coat, black trainers and a backpack.
CCTV images and a photo of Smith’s face have also been released by police as part of the appeal to trace him.
But if spotted, the public are urged ‘do not approach him’ and instead report sightings urgently to the police.
Smith has links to Blackburn and Accrington town centres, but is believed to be in the City Centre area of Manchester.
GMP said: “We’re asking the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings to us and if you see him, please do not approach him but contact us on 999 quoting Log 1118 of 30/4/2024.”