Irish Examiner view: Johnson survives the heave — for now

That 148 of his MPs would vote against Boris Johnson suggests this is the beginning of the end for the British prime minister

Boris Johnson's duplicity on issues from Brexit to the NHS could give the British public pause for thought. But it's his obfuscation about parties at 10 Downing St that ignited the public backlash. Picture: Alberto Pezzali/PA

It was perhaps inevitable that Boris Johnson faced yesterday’s vote. Indeed it was no surprise at all. In recent times, the so-called ‘teflon shield’ won by Johnson as a result of his landslide general election victory in 2019 has been tarnished by his untrammelled obfuscation, bluster and, let’s admit it, damned lies.

Whatever about Johnson’s duplicity on a range of issues, not least Brexit, immigration, hospitals, and who paid for the redecorating of his state apartment, it was his refusal to admit that anything happened at Number 10 Downing St during two years of lockdown that ignited a public reaction which culminated in last night’s vote.