From the moment the Tory leadership race kicked off the greatest threat to Boris Johnson has been Boris Johnson.
You could fill several volumes listing the former Foreign Secretary’s gaffes, lies and blunders.
Somehow he has always managed to bounce back. But his leadership campaign team were taking no chances this time.
Every effort had been made to shield the normally publicity hungry MP from media scrutiny.
He was reported to have lost weight and cut down the alcohol on the advice of his new partner Carrie Symonds.
So it is ironic that this new relationship could end up derailing his chance of being in No 10 .
Donald Trump has shown that you don’t need the morals of a vicar to succeed in politics.
Perhaps Tory members will be as forgiving as US Republicans when it comes to Johnson’s personal life.
It is hardly a state secret he is a bed-hopping, twice sacked, serial liar who breaks his marriage vows as quickly as he changes his mind on Brexit.
What this incident will do is reinforce his reputation as a magnet for trouble.
Some Tories had decided to overlook his faults in desperation to find anyone who could rescue them from oblivion.
This will plant a seed of doubt.
