The Contenders, Part One

Michael Gove, 48, Justice Secretary

Biography: Born in Edinburgh, the son of a fish-processing worker. Gravitated from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. Started his career as a journalist, reporting for The Press and Journal in Aberdeen, Scotland; for Scottish Television; and for the BBC. Was later an assistant editor at The Times of London. Elected to Parliament in 2005, he was Education Secretary from 2010 to 2014.

Books: 

Michael Gove, a Study in Betrayal. Known to his friends as Kim, he explains how he came to betray his leader (David Cameron), his friend (Boris Johnson) and the British people.

Quotes: 

“I don’t think I have got the exceptional level of ability required for the job,” he said in an interview with The Telegraph shortly before the referendum. In 2012 he said "I could not be Prime Minister. I'm not equipped to be Prime Minister."

Family: Wife, Sarah Vine, is a journalist for the respected newspaper The Daily Mail. 

Interesting facts: 

Both Michael and Sarah are interested in amateur dramatics. They are currently starring in Macbeth at the National Theatre.