Britain | End of the clown show?

“Honest” Boris Johnson looks done for

The former prime minister now provides more theatre than threat

In this photo made available by UK Parliament, Boris Johnson gives evidence to the Privileges Committee at the House of Commons, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a high-stakes grilling by a committee of lawmakers. The question is whether he misled Parliament about rule-breaking parties in government buildings during the coronavirus pandemic. (House of Commons/UK Parliament via AP) — I did not have relations with that cakeImage: AP

Mar 22nd 2023

Boris Johnson is an honest man. It is possible to tell this by the sheer number of times he declares his honesty. In his written submission to the committee of MPs investigating whether he intentionally misled Parliament over Partygate, the word “honest” popped up around 20 times in one form or another. In a three-hour hearing on March 22nd he offered yet more honesty, at one point even “hand on heart.” And little speaks more of honesty than declaring your honesty 20-odd times in two days.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “End of the clown show?”