What exactly was Michael Gove doing at a secret Brexit summit?

Levelling up secretary had one eye on his post-political career at cross-party talks with diplomats and CEOs

It was a secret Brexit summit with a lot of striking names attending – the shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, the former EU negotiator Oliver Robbins, the ex-Treasury permanent secretary Tom Scholar. But the name that has raised the most eyebrows is the levelling up secretary, Michael Gove.

The gathering revealed by the Observer has riled pro-Brexit Conservatives, including the former negotiator Lord David Frost. Attendees have attempted to play down its significance, suggesting it was more of a “grandees’ talking shop” – albeit one with an extraordinary guest list.