The Criminal in Nos 10.

"The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love, he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continually lying to other men and himself."
​
Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

Finally, after months of denials that anything illegal happened at Nos 10, the truth is out. Boris Johnson now enters the record books as the first serving British Prime Minister to face a criminal fine. 

Most people who get caught in a lie feel intense guilt and seek to atone. Yet, for all his professed apology, Johnson displays no genuine remorse, no shame or guilt because only a resignation is enough. Thus, one can conclude that the man cannot accept responsibility for his actions, which is a dangerous trait in a national leader.

Let us recall what happened. In simple terms, Boris banned people from gathering, yet, he partied. Boris had the police break up weddings, yet, he partied. Boris banned people from holding the hand of a dying relative, yet, he partied.

Johnson loves to trumpet the 'rules-based world-order,' a stance he uttered many times in recent weeks as he seeks a Churchillian aura in dealing with the Ukraine crisis. But, that veil of deceit looks threadbare when Johnson doesn't himself stick to the rules. Moreover, he hides behind Putin's actions to hang on as PM,  taking this dissonance to new heights.

That Johnson broke the rules and norms of democracy with such flagrant arrogance speaks to the core of the man. So we shouldn't be surprised that he's undermined Britain's democracy by lying to parliament; his many previous lies and deceits are legend.

We know all politicians lie, fudge and dissemble — by default, they play fast and loose with the truth and loath to admit mistakes. Yet when caught in the full glare of the truth, any man with an ounce of decency would go. 

In the final analysis, Boris Johnson has done significant damage. He's damaged the moral fabric of Britain, leaving the country weaker at home and on the international stage. That will be his legacy.