28 JUNE 1997, Page 27

A laughing matter

Sir: I am terribly disappointed to discover that your correspondent and my old acquaintance Michael Gove appears to be devoid of any sense of humour (`How Clarke won (but only so far)', 14 June).

In case his account of the first ballot of the Conservative leadership election is beginning to appear in cuttings files, can I make clear that when I told him there had been a plot by Ken Clarke's supporters to boost John Redwood's vote, I honestly thought this was so palpably ridiculous that he would recognise that I was joking.

Next time, Michael, I will clearly signal when I am not being entirely serious. Damian Green MP

House of Commons, London SW1