Boris Johnson won’t go easily – he’ll cling on like a horrible piece of gum stuck to the shoe of society

If reports are to be believed, Boris Johnson is so determined to cling on to the office of prime minister that he is offering peerages and knighthoods to senior MPs willing to support him.

Former Conservative Party chair Chris Patten has described Johnson as a “moral vacuum” for his failure to apologise for the false claim that Sir Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile, but in reality, these words do not do justice in describing this grubby little narcissist, whose ego far outstretches his competence.

I always suspected he never realised that being prime minister was a proper job, requiring qualities such as integrity, loyalty and honour, none of which can ever be attributed to Boris Johnson. He can never fulfil the role of a true statesperson but will try to cling to his role like an unpleasant piece of chewing gum stuck to the shoe of society.

Kate Hall

Leeds

Boris Johnson is keen that Keir Starmer, and indeed his own MPs, do not prejudge the Sue Gray report and police inquiries into recent activities at No 10. However, if we are to believe the government spin about the recent departure of several of the prime minister’s own handpicked advisors, it seems this is exactly what Boris Johnson himself is doing. Is this another example of one rule for him, and another for everyone else?

Workplace culture comes from the top and this advisor merry-go-round will not alter it, especially when the boss has not only allowed the workplace culture to develop but also appears to have participated in it.

Dr Mike Betterton

Skelton

Could it be that there is a secret competition to have the worst prime minister? If so, after three attempts, it seems the Tories have clearly won, taking all three podium places. Can we please call a finish and get back to making our country a decent and honourable place?

Ashley Herbert

Huddersfield

When I read about the appalling joke Jimmy Carr made about the murder of gypsies in the Holocaust, I gasped in horror. And if the audience thought that was remotely funny, then they should hang their heads in collective shame.

Why does this “comedian” debase horrendous history with such crass, cruel jokes. Does he really get up every day, look in the mirror and think about who he can defame next with his dire material?

This isn’t comedy and should be called out by every right-thinking person and Carr be named and shamed for this gross departure from taste and moral decency.

Judith A Daniels

Cobholm, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

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Spare a thought for Larry, No 10’s cat, following the rehiring of the Australian strategist Lynton Crosby. He must be living in trepidation, sensing that at any moment he could be thrown onto a table to divert attention away from any further Downing Street shenanigans that come to light. Especially given Johnson’s habit of sacrificing others to save his own skin.

Roger Hinds

Surrey

The culture of any organisation is set at the top and communicated through an efficient chain of command established by the leader. When Field Marshal Montgomery won the battle of El Alamein he didn’t inspect each man’s bayonet or check their kit, but every soldier knew what was expected of them, and with confidence in their leader, they achieved success.

If you want a Second World War analogy for Johnson, I suggest you look no further than Private Walker, the spiv in Dad’s Army with his relaxed attitude to law and honesty, always looking out for himself and drawing others into his illegal deals.

John Simpson

Ross on Wye