The truth is that no one is waiting, except Boris Johnson’s backbenchers. The public have drawn their own conclusions and will deliver their verdict, with characteristic brutality, at the ballot box.

Still, aside from an awkwardly pointed question from Theresa May, who is perhaps reflecting on the notion that she held fewer parties in her time at Number 10 than her successor managed during three national lockdowns, he survived his parliamentary appearance with ease. 

What sorts of new structures might he set up in Number 10? His querulous MPs wanted to know. Will the Prime Minister’s new permanent secretary be taking on board the key learnings from these unfortunate and regrettable lacunae in organisational leadership? The country is crying out for an answer.

It would no doubt be interesting to know what incredible new procedural miracles can ensure that our Prime Minister is able to make basic ethical judgments about whether to follow the hugely onerous laws he has imposed on everyone else. Alas, Ms Gray has yet to enlighten us. We must, of course, wait for the police to have a go.

Perhaps for the very first time, it was left to the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford to speak for the nation: “What a farce.”

And yet, it has worked. Boris Johnson will live to fight another day. Such is the power of procedure.