Zac Goldsmith: Gove a ‘monster’ if pans green policies

Exclusive: In first major interview since quitting government, ex-minister hits out at senior Tories for backsliding on climate crisis

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Michael Gove is a “monster” if he continues to rubbish green policies while fully understanding the urgency of the climate crisis, and Grant Shapps, the energy and net zero secretary, is taking “backward steps”, Zac Goldsmith has said in his first major interview since leaving government.

In a surprisingly frank conversation with the Guardian, the former international environment minister also conceded that Brexit – for which he voted – could be detrimental for the environment in the end if ministers continue to abandon climate commitments in the face of a rightwing resurgence in the Tory party.