Cabinet minister Michael Gove says he is going on holiday to a Greek island which is experiencing wildfires – as he insisted the region is “safe”.

The housing secretary told Sky News he was heading to Evia – a large island just off the coast of Athens – in “just over a week”.

It has seen fires in southern parts of the island, which is around 100 miles long. The islands of Corfu and Rhodes have also been gripped by flames in recent days, sparking mass evacuations.

Adults ‘fight’ to be evacuated in Rhodes – wildfires latest

Mr Gove said it was “safe” to go to Rhodes, and the fact that “particular” parts of the island needed to be evacuated was “unfortunate”.

He added that it was “absolutely right” that people were still able to go on holiday to Greece.

Mr Gove said: “It’s a tragedy that these fires have ruined what should be the… the happiest, the most enjoyable time of the year for many.

“But it is also the case that I think that the criticism directed at individual firms isn’t necessarily merited.”

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