Putin’s looming threat gives Johnson some breathing space

With the spotlight on Ukraine, the heat is temporarily off for The Suspect, who could even flirt with some fresh fibs at PMQs

Boris Johnson is in his happy place. The Russian invasion of Ukraine couldn't have come at a better time. At a stroke, people have stopped asking him awkward questions about the cost of living and the price of fuel. Better still, both Labour and - more importantly - Tory MPs have also suspended hostilities on Partygate. At a time of imminent war in eastern Europe, a united front must be maintained at home. Just in case Vladimir Putin happens to be watching and starts taking our threats seriously. Not that there's much sign of that so far. But we can live in hope.

So, for The Suspect, the heat is off temporarily. He can swan around doing his Churchill tribute act - We shall fight them on the tennis courts. We shall fight them in the Tory party fundraising auctions. We shall never give up" - safe in the knowledge that right now it's hard for him to screw things up too badly. No one is coming after him and there is no vote of no confidence imminent. Because however many lies he happens to tell, they are nothing to those being told by Vladimir Putin. And his corruption is amateur hour when compared with the delusional venality of the Russian president. Though it's obviously something to which he can aspire.