Michael Gove
Former UK Communities Secretary who commissioned the 2023 independent Tees Valley review.
Michael Gove entered The House of Lords in May 2025 after two decades in the Commons and several Cabinet posts.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026
Timeline for Michael Gove
Mentioned in: Tees Valley faces Best Value inspection
UK Local Elections 2026Background
Michael Gove is editor of The Spectator, a Conservative life peer and former Cabinet minister. He represented Surrey Heath in The House of Commons from 2005 to 2024 before entering The House of Lords as Lord Gove. His ministerial career spanned education, justice, the environment and local government.
As the Cabinet minister responsible for levelling up, housing and communities, Gove commissioned the Independent review of the Teesworks joint venture in May 2023. The review found no evidence of corruption or illegality, but identified weaknesses in governance and transparency. It examined the handling of public assets and the relationship between a mayoral development corporation and private partners, placing Gove's decision within his wider record of local-government oversight.
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Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.