'I thought you were being prime ministerial': Boris' nightmare week continues

By Ian Dunt

Boris Johnson was subject to another harsh attack on his personality today, as London Assembly members tried to replicate yesterday's savaging of the mayor on the BBC.

The former Henley MP appeared confused and irritated yesterday when BBC presenter Eddie Mair took him to task over historic allegations of plagiarism, lying and conspiring to have someone assaulted.

The altercation at mayoral question time began when Johnson accused the chair of addressing a particular topic to save the embarrassment of one of the Assembly members.

"I'm not going to take lessons from you about behaviour or chairing a meeting," chairman Jennette Arnold said.

"And there I was thinking you were trying to be prime ministerial."

Johnson replied: "I was trying to self-deprecated. Can I thank you for knocking that on the head?"

Minutes later, Johnson was told he spent too much time referencing the failures of Ken Livingstone's period in City Hall.

"You should worry about your record and the not the one of the previous administration," an Assembly member suggested.

Boris tried to make light of the weekend interview this morning, saying: "Fair play to Eddie Mair, he landed a good one. If the BBC can't bash Tory politicians then what is the point of BBC?"

But yesterday's grilling revealed a side to Johnson's personality that may have made some of his supporters for Tory leader think twice.

Under a form of harsh scrutiny he rarely faces, the London Mayor appeared startled and hesitant and was unable to dodge questions using his normal humour and fast-talking.

The Guardian led on the interview, branding it a "car crash" and "the worst interview the mayor has ever conducted".

The Times was similarly scathing, saying the mayor was forced to "squirm".