The public saw Boris Johnson as warmly authentic, then devious and corrupt | Simon Jenkins

He faced phenomenal challenges but had a disrespect for parliament and the public that finally caught up with him

Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it. It was chaotic. Boris Johnson's last hours in office were palpably staged, not to ease his party's torrid history or respect the dignity of his office. They were fashioned as the opening chapter of his memoirs: How the bastards tried to oust me." It has been Boris in full flow, two fingers to his colleagues, rhubarb to parliament and to politics in general, bombastic towards his critics to the last on the steps of Downing Street: When the herd moves, it moves." It has all been a cynical game, a singing, dancing music-hall turn.

Despite Johnson's declared intention to continue until a successor is chosen, it is hard to see how that is possible given the manner of his departure. Many of the senior officers of state have resigned, been sacked or indicated no faith in him. Some departments such as housing and education are scrambling after a disconcerting period of having no ministers at all. Government is a team effort and requires order and leadership. It has disintegrated. Today it was clear Johnson simply cannot continue any longer and should be replaced by a stand-in deputy.

Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist