GOVERNMENT chief whip Michael Gove has visited Sussex.

The controversial former education secretary was in Hove to visit Clarence Mitchell, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion.

Mr Gove has been subject of fierce protests in the city over his plans to convert Hove Park School into an academy, leading to chants of ‘Hove not Gove’.

Mr Mitchell said: “I warmly welcome Michael to Brighton and Hove and I am very grateful for his support for my campaign.

“Michael is one of the most radical, forward thinking ministers we have had in years. “His recent record as Secretary of State for Education driving up standards in our schools and championing best practice teaching methods is exemplary and proves he isn’t shy of doing the right thing.

"He can be proud of his achievements in the face of often vociferous opposition.”