#GoveBeard: The best Michael Gove beard memes
Former justice secretary's elusive facial hair prompts Twitter users to get creative
August is often a time for politicians to take a break and let their hair down. Michael Gove, it appears, may have taken the phrase all too literally.
The Twittersphere lit up yesterday after John Rentoul, The Independent's chief political commentator, reported the former justice secretary and one-time prime ministerial contender had been seen sporting some new facial hair.
"Breaking news. Michael Gove, spotted in the Palace of Westminster, has grown a beard," reported Rentoul.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Many expressed initial doubts about the claim, but Gove's follicular news was corroborated by Buzzfeed journalist Marie Le Conte, who wrote: "BREAKING: more details on Gove's new beard, according to a pal who works in Parliament: 'Just seen Gove's new beard. 4/10 patchy in parts, not dark enough to justify.'"
With no images to confirm the news, Tweeters began creating their own version of what they believed the beard might look like, using the Twitter hashtag #GoveBeard to share their creations:
Finally, the London Evening Standard managed to get hold of a real shot:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What happened to Awaab Ishak?
Speed Read The two-year-old died of a cardiac arrest after prolonged exposure to mould in his home
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published