Name New Prison ‘The Gove’ Says Council Leader
Written by HFM News on 9th June 2025
Senior councillors say a new prison near Market Harborough should be called ‘The Gove’.
Council leader Phil Knowles and his Liberal Democrat colleague Cllr Jo Asher have put forward the tongue-in-cheek suggestion, after HFM revealed the Ministry of Justice is to ask members of the community to suggest names for the jail.
It was former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove who gave the go-ahead for the 1,700-inmate ‘super-prison’ to be built, despite Harborough District Council and a planning inspector ruling against the controversial plan.
How the new jail will look
The councillors say that as Mr Gove ‘championed the build’, the jail should named after him ‘as his legacy’ and ‘so people never forget why it’s built there’.
A joint statement says: “Mr Gove as Secretary of State seemingly ignored the decision to refuse by Harborough District Council, ignored public opinion, Parish Council opposition and the pleas of a public meeting.
“Then to to crown it all ignored the independent Inspector who after a public hearing that lasted several days said no to the build.
Mr Gove also declined invitations from Cllr Knowles to meet him on the site of the new prison adjacent to HMP Gartree, before making the decision to grant planning permission.
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