General Election: Would the Andrew Neil interview be worse for Boris Johnson than dodging it?

Ducking the appearance may make the prime minister seem cowardly but perhaps that’s preferable to the alternative, writes Sean O'Grady

Johnson arrives at Ebbsfleet station in Kent on the campaign trail yesterday (Getty)

Andrew Neil is quite right. No broadcaster, indeed no media organisation and no journalist has the power of subpoena. If a politician, such as Boris Johnson, doesn’t wish to turn up for an interview, despite previously indicating assent, there is nothing to compel them to do so. At least, that is, formally. There are, though, some risks…

It never does your image good to be seen running away. It can be better to follow the historic precedents Neil referred to and submit yourself to an hour or half-hour of intense questioning by some well-respected broadcaster. All prime ministers, and other main party leaders, have done so for about the past half-century or so, and for a reason.

They hated the media, but they could also see the value of using it. They wanted to make themselves look good in verbal combat with some grand inquisitor, such as Robin Day, Brian Walden or one of the Dimbleby brothers. It sent a message to the electorate, again as Neil suggests – “If I can stand up to these guys then I can stand up to the foreigners and the forces arraigned against me and my government. I am a tough leader who’s not afraid of a few journalists.”