Abstract: A vehicle tailgate handle latch mechanism including a pair of latch assemblies carried by casings adapted to be fixed adjacent each side of the tailgate for engagement with an associated striker member on the vehicle body. A pair of control rods are journaled on the tailgate for rotational movement about their own axis disposed parallel with the axis of the gate hinges. A central lift handle rotates the control rods about their axis such that their outboard hooked ends release pawl elements of their associated latch assemblies causing spring biased ratchet members to automatically rotate to then open position unlatching their strikers allowing the tailgate to be moved to its open position.