Michael Gove has issued an apology after causing confusion about whether separated parents can see their children as the nation goes into lockdown.
The Cabinet Office Minister appeared on Good Morning Britain today where he said youngsters should remain with the guardian they are currently with now that restrictions on movement have been introduced.
After host Susanna Reid argued that he was “playing lockdown roulette”, he said: “You should not be moving children from home to home.”
But then just minutes later, on BBC Breakfast, Mr Gove told presenter Dan Walker: “On a previous broadcast on GMB I stressed wherever possible this should be kept to a minimum but I want to clarify I wasn’t sufficiently clear earlier.
“Children under the age of 18 can see both parents.”
Piers Morgan slammed the government for sending mixed messages – claiming it was “not acceptable” for a high ranking government official.
He said: “It is not acceptable to be that firm about something like that. To do a total U-turn is not acceptable.”
In response to Piers’ question for clarification on Twitter, Mr Gove said: “I wasn’t clear enough earlier, apologies. To confirm – while children should not normally be moving between households, we recognise that this may be necessary when children who are under 18 move between separated parents. This is permissible & has been made clear in the guidance”
Furious GMB viewers took to Twitter after Mr Gove went back on his original advice.
One viewer said: “Now Gove on #BBC contradicting what he said on #GMB. Making thing up as they go a long.”
“Michael Gove is a disgrace for the uncertainty and anxiety he must be causing to single parents with his interviews on #gmb and #bbc,” added another.
A third said: “Gove just in #GMB just said parents shouldn’t be moving children between parents… then just released a statement to say that’s wrong and he’s done a u-turn. You can see your boy mate.”
This comes after Susanna Reid made a plea for parents of separated families earlier on in the show.
The GMB presenter said it was important to point out there is a footnote in the new rules explaining that moving children under the age of 18 between parents is an excemption.
Speaking from self-isolation, she said: “I think a lot of people will have questions about what lockdown means for them. I think it’s important to gets gem clarity on what lockdown means for separated families.
“There are around 2.5 million separated families in the UK. 4 million children. I think a lot of people will ask what does this mean. Can the children go between two houses?
“Staying at home is the instruction from the government. Leave the house for four reasons – essential shopping, one exercise, travelling for key workers and care to help the vulnerable.
“There is a footnote saying it’s applicable to moving children under-18 between their parents’ home.
“That I think is really important. If you need to share the care your children that’s an exception under the rules.”
*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
