At long last, Boris Johnson and his runaway lies have run out of road

Editorial: In the hothouses of politics, across the despatch box or in the television studios, the former prime minister’s tactics of bluster and obfuscation have served him well. In the cold, forensic climate of a sustained investigation, he has wilted

(Dave Brown)

The dismal saga of Boris Johnson’s lies to parliament when he was prime minister has been impressively chronicled in the long-awaited report of the Commons committee of privileges. Such a report is unprecedented. It is historic. It is damning.

It is also fair.

Its recommendations are proportionate. They will end Mr Johnson’s political career, or at least, they should. Above all, the work of the members of the committee, many under the most sustained intimidation and attacks on their personal honesty, has helped to restore some confidence in the integrity of the Commons. It is a depressing thing that they needed extra personal security as they went about their task. But they persevered, and produced an independent report that is exemplary. It is a good day for parliamentary democracy. The system still works.