Michael Gove last night admitted taking cocaine on ‘several social occasions’. The Tory leadership candidate said he used the banned substance when he was younger and deeply regrets it. He told the Daily Mail: ‘I took drugs on several occasions at social events more than 20 years ago. At the time I was a young journalist. It was a mistake. I look back and I think, I wish I hadn’t done that.’ Mr Gove, 51, insisted his past mistakes should not be held against him as he battles to replace Theresa May as prime minister. She stepped down as Tory leader yesterday. Mr Gove, 51, insisted his past mistakes should not be held against him as he battles to replace Theresa May as prime minister ‘It was 20 years ago and yes, it was a mistake,’ he said. ‘But I don’t believe that past mistakes disqualify you.’ He made his admission ahead of publication of a book about him by political journalist Owen Bennett – extracts of which are exclusively published in today’s Mail. The book – Michael Gove: A Man in a Hurry – says the Environment Secretary owned up to having used cocaine when he was being ‘put through…