Boris Johnson’s party problem

Sir, – The British prime minister, by claiming that he did not know the boozy Downing Street gathering was a party, fulfilled one crucial “great man” criterion. Namely, when telling an obvious lie, he went big and gas-lit an entire nation.

Sadly, in every other respect of his premiership – for instance, moral courage, political wisdom or historical insight – Mr Johnson is a dismal failure as a statesman. – Yours, etc,

JOE McCARTHY,

Arbour Hill,

READ SOME MORE

Dublin 7.

Sir, – With Boris Johnson’s cynicism and duplicity bluntly exposed, he can at least take comfort that his reputation is intact. – Yours, etc,

MATT DAVEY,

Rathgar,

Dublin 6.

Sir, – I expect that Boris Johnson will confirm that he actually did bring his own booze to the party. Freeloading would be setting a bad example. – Yours, etc,

MICK O’BRIEN,

Springmount,

Kilkenny.