THE ability to ride a punch is crucial in politics and Boris Johnson has again had to take a haymaker on his famous jutting chin.

After being floored by a linguistic uppercut from Scots broadcaster Eddie Mair, the tousle-haired Mayor could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel and spending Easter on a far-flung island watching Yes Minister videos.

Yet while his father branded Mr Mair's inquisition as the "most disgusting piece of journalism I've listened to for a very long time", Johnson Minor was more charitable.

"Eddie Mair did a splendid job," he declared. "That is what the BBC is for: holding us to account." During the interview, Mr Johnson – tipped as the natural heir to succeed David Cameron as Tory leader – was pressed over whether:

- he was sacked at The Times for making up a quote;

- he lied to Tory leader Michael Howard about allegations of an affair in 2004, which resulted in his shadow ministerial resignation; and

- he agreed to supply the details of a tabloid journalist to a friend even though the apparent purpose was to have the reporter beaten up for smearing his family.

Asked if he was a "nasty piece of work", the London Mayor appeared exasperated and disputed all three claims. However, pictures showed him holding his blonde head in his hands.

Yet by yesterday any sense of being punch drunk seemed to have evaporated

Admitting his appearance was "not my most blistering," Mr Johnson insisted Mr Mair was perfectly in his rights to have a bash.

"If a BBC presenter can't attack a nasty Tory politician, what's the world coming to?"