"You hope to emerge with your dignity intact," the environment secretary said of his interview with John Humphrys.

Conservative MP Michael Gove has been accused of trivialising sexual assault after he jokingly compared being interviewed on radio to going into Harvey Weinstein's bedroom.

The environment minister made the comments on the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme during a special 60th anniversary edition on Saturday morning.

"Sometimes I think coming into the studio with you John is a bit like going into Harvey Weinstein's bedroom - you hope to emerge with your dignity intact," Gove told presenter John Humphrys.

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who also appeared on the programme, added: "John goes way past groping, way past groping."

Although the comments were met with laughter from the live audience, many have criticised Gove for making light of the allegations faced by Weinstein.

Dozens of women have accused the Hollywood producer of sexually harassing or assaulting them. Weinstein has denied the allegations but he has been fired from the company he set up and he has been stripped of several honours. The board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revoked his membership earlier this month.