The Catch-up: Boris Johnson dodges same question 26 times in awkward interview

What happened?

Boris Johnson came out of hiding today in an attempt to revitalise his faltering campaign to become the next prime minister. Mr Johnson’s bid has hit the buffers amid claims he has been dodging debates with Jeremy Hunt and his refusal to explain why police were called to the home he shares with his girlfriend on Friday night over a “domestic altercation”. He has also been under pressure to provide more details on a Brexit plan that critics have said is, at best, economical with the truth as to what is achievable with the EU.

How did it go?

It could have been better, to be honest. With his odds of becoming prime minister continuing to drift, Mr Johnson resurfaced last night in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg in which he was grilled over Brexit. In one excruciating moment on LBC this morning, Mr Johnson was repeatedly challenged about whether his campaign was behind the release of a picture of him with Ms Symonds in an attempt to show their relationship was going strong. Refusing to answer questions about his private life 26 times, Mr Johnson said talking about his personal life was “a waste of time”. Other media appearances included an appearance on Talk Radio (in which he admitted painting model buses in his spare time) and an outing at the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Wisley.

What does this all mean?

In short, Boris is looking increasingly worried and his seemingly relentless march to Number 10 might not be quite so straightforward after all.

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