SENIOR Cabinet minister Michael Gove has supported England's football team for taking the knee in opposition to racism and prejudice, ahead of the crunch Euro 2020 match against Scotland on Friday.

Mr Gove, himself a Scot who will be cheering on the Auld Enemy, said people should have the opportunity to show their “strength of feeling against prejudice”.

However, his comments contrast the views of fellow Cabinet minister Priti Patel, who said she does not support England's players protesting against racism and did not condemn the people in the ground who booed them.

England took the knee before the game against Croatia on Sunday at Wembley, and in previous friendles in Middlesbrough, with the anti-racism gesture met with boos by a small minority of people in the ground - drowned out by the majority of fans who applauded the action.

Before the match at Wembley on Friday kicks off, both England and Scotland players will take the knee to oppose racism and prejudice.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Gove said: “I think that people who want to show their strength of feeling against prejudice should have the opportunity to do so.”

Predicting a 3-0 victory, he said he would be cheering Scotland “as lustily and in as Covid-secure a way as possible”.

He said: “I will be cheering them on from before the whistle blows until after, when of course Scotland will win 3-0.”

His comments come a day after the Home Secretary said she does not support England’s footballers taking the knee in protest against racial injustice.

Ms Patel did not condemn the people who had booed players for taking the knee, calling it a “choice for them”.

She said on Monday: “I just don’t support people participating in that type of gesture, gesture politics, to a certain extent, as well.”

Last week, when asked if Boris Johnson backs players taking the knee, a Number 10 spokesperson said: “Yes.

“The Prime Minister respects the right of all people to peacefully protest and make their feelings known about injustices.

“The Prime Minister wants to see everybody getting behind the team to cheer them on, not boo.”

England face Scotland at Wembley in their second group match of Euro 2020 on Friday at 8pm, looking to extend their winning start to the tournament, while Scotland need a result to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.