Diane Abbott criticises Michael Gove for 'making a joke' of sexual harassment amid backlash over Weinstein comments

The Environment Secretary provoked a backlash for making a quip about the Harvey Weinstein abuse scandal on national radio

Diane Abbott has criticised Michael Gove for making a quip about the Harvey Weinstein abuse scandal, claiming joking about sexual harassment is one of the reasons for the issue not being dealt with.

Addressing the Environment Secretary’s widely condemned comments on national radio, Ms Abbott, one of Jeremy Corbyn’s closest allies, told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show: “I heard it and I didn’t think it was funny – particularly in Parliament, making sexual harassment a joke is one of the reasons it’s not being dealt with.”

Ms Abbott continued: “You’ve got to realise that it’s undermining and demeaning for women and undermines and demeans the institution.”

Philip Dunne, a health minister, also told Sky News that he did not think his colleague’s comments were appropriate. “To make light of these kind of sexual harassment claims regarding public figures, I think that’s not appropriate,” he said.

The comments from the Shadow Home Secretary come after Mr Gove apologised on Saturday for a “clumsy” attempt at a joke, in which he likened being interviewed by BBC presenter John Humphrys to “going into Harvey Weinstein’s bedroom”.

“You just pray that you emerge with your dignity intact,” he added.

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who was being interviewed alongside him, joined in, saying: “John goes way past groping. Way past groping.” He has not made any comment since the interview.

The remarks were made in response to a question from Mr Humphrys about whether he and other BBC radio presenters make politicians “look silly”, as part of a discussion about the role of broadcast media in holding the Government to account.

But it came just a day after allegations of widespread sexual harassment in Westminster, with reports that female parliamentary researchers and aides have used a Westminster WhatsApp group to share information about alleged offenders.

Shortly after the interview Mr Gove posted on Twitter: “Apologies for my clumsy attempt at humour on R4 Today this morning – it wasn’t appropriate. I’m sorry and apologise unreservedly.”

Labour MP Stella Creasy described the remarks as “crass”, saying: “This look didn’t work for James Corden.” Her concerns were echoed by fellow MP Jess Phillips, who tweeted: “Michael Gove just left the studio without his dignity.”