Johnson’s terrible legacy: the PM who held his party and his country hostage | Simon Jenkins

The public, MPs and one-time allies in cabinet want him out. Johnson's decision to face them all down is a landmark in our political history

It was meant to be a mafia death, with no need for a 1922 Committee manoeuvre or an MPs' vote.

When the men in grey suits left Downing Street on Tuesday night, they put on the table the requisite revolver and bottle of whisky. Boris Johnson apparently tossed them in the bin. Michael Gove, very much a cabinet big beast was one of those urging the PM to resign. On Wednesday night he was sacked. Johnson pretty much threw him in the bin too.