Michael Gove has been mocked on social media after giving the thumbs up when he posed for a photograph with Donald Trump.

The former Cabinet minister, who writes for The Times, beat the rest of the media to secure the first UK interview with the president-elect, who takes office on Friday.

But as well as ridiculing Mr Gove for replicating the billionaire businessman's gestures, critics also lampooned the Tory MP for being pictured in front of a framed Playboy cover.

Labour MP Jess Phillips said: "Was told that you look a fool if you do thumbs up in a photo.Turns out if you do it next to a racist who hates women you look even worse."

Writer Elizabeth Day captioned the photograph: "I always like to demonstrate my objective professionalism by posing for a selfie with an interviewee while giving a jaunty thumbs-up sign."

Guardian diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour followed suit by writing: "Is there anything you would like to tell a grateful nation Mr President?"
David Lockhart, a BBC producer, said: "REMINDER: There is no onus on Michael Gove - the Conservative MP for Surrey Heath - to be an objective, neutral journalist."

Rosie Edge, who trains English language teachers, said: "Oh good lord. Just when you thought Michael Gove couldn't be any more of an embarrassment. #MichaelGove #Trump #Playboy."

Labour MP Mary Creagh said the interview - as well as the thumbs-up photo - "creates real questions" about Mr Gove's "second job" as a journalist.

Appearing alongside Mr Gove on BBC2's Daily Politics, the Wakefield MP told him: "You are elected by people in Surrey to represent them and yet you talk about your job being to generate news, not to stand up to some of the outrageous things Trump has said.

"There was nothing in your interview about his comments on women, which I find disgraceful. I think it creates real questions about this second job you have got."
Mr Gove responded there was "a strong tradition" of MPs working as journalists, citing former Labour leader Michael Foot, who was editor of the Evening Standard.
"I think people will form their own judgment about the appropriateness of politicians writing," he said.

Ms Creagh responded: "Michael Foot would never have done that stunt - never in a million years."