Tomorrow I will go to Rhodes,” says Michael Gove.

A fire plane drops water on a forest fire near Vathi village in southern Rhodes.

The leveling secretary insisted that it was safe to visit the island and said that next week he should go on vacation to another part of Greece.

He also defended the Foreign Office's response to the situation on the island as repatriation flights continue to bring British holidaymakers back to the UK.

Asked if he would go on holiday to Rhodes if he booked a ticket for tomorrow, Mr Gove told Times Radio: “Yes, actually I should go on holiday, God willing, to Greece in just over a week, not to Rhodes, but to another island.

“I'm looking forward to going. I think Greece is a wonderful country, a wonderful place to visit, and we need to support the Greek government in resolving the situation in Rhodes.

«My heart goes out to those affected, but I think the advice is clear: if you follow the advice of the Foreign Office, it's safe.»

Michael Gove says he's ready to burn devastated Rhodes

Critics say the government is slow to respond to the fires in Rhodes.

Asked if he thought the Foreign Office's response was too relaxed, Mr Gove said: “No, I don't think so. We sent a team to Rhodes, experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and humanitarian aid was sent there.

“The travel companies have been very responsible…I believe the experience that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Department has is right and they are watching closely.”

The current advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Rhodes says that if people are «planning to travel to any areas affected by wildfires, check with your tour operator or hotel before traveling.»

It does not offer any official guidance on whether people should continue their trips.

Mr Gove's comments come as more British holidaymakers have to return to the UK from Rhodes as repatriation flights continue.

Hundreds of people have already landed at UK airports after parts of the popular Greek island went up in flames, leaving many overnight at schools, airports and sports centres.

Andrew Mitchell l, the Foreign Secretary, estimated on Monday morning that there were up to 10,000 Britons on board. island.