YOU can take the boy out of Eton but…

As the Brexit ding-dongery continued at another high-pitched PMQs, our noble leader caused a few furrowed brows when during Commons exchanges he told the chief comrade: “The Right Honourable Gentleman is showing complete ignoratio elenchi.” Come again?

Jezza looked somewhat taken aback by the Latin reference, demanding a translation from what he no doubt regarded as a classical insult by the Tory clever dick but which even dunderheads know means: missing the point.

However, the point was not missed when SNP champion Ian Blackford rose to adopt his disappointed dad pose to rebuke the delinquent premier.

Once again, the Scottish Bagpuss complained Scotland was being ignored and asked a question, the answer to which he already knew – not an unusual thing at PMQs – namely: would the UK Government require Holyrood’s consent before it passed the Withdrawal Bill?

The Minister for the Union, naturally, said no. “As he knows,” noted Bozza, “the Scottish Parliament has no role in approving this deal.”

The button had been pressed and the Highlander duly jumped up to declare the respect agenda had been “torn asunder”.

“There we have it! The legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament is meaningless in the PM’s eyes…Our Parliament does not matter.”

The SNP chief raised Tory eyebrows when he noted: “If he so desperately wants an election, Europe is willing and waiting, so what is stopping him? He must now secure a meaningful extension and bring on a general election.”

The “bring it on” invitation cheered up the PM no end.

“Well, what an exciting development!” declared Boris. Looking at the Labour benches, he added: “Perhaps he might pass some of his courage down the line.”

Of course, a PMQs would not be a PMQs without a cheery comrade referencing the Brexit Svengali that is Dominic Cummings; the Leave campaigner, who many believe is running the show in Downing St.

This time it was the turn of Labour's champion for Ealing Central Rupa Huq, who noted how the blonde Beatle had "a long list of shortcomings" and quipped: "So could he do something over one that he does have some control of and get rid of Dominic Cummings?"

It seemed to take a while for the PM to get the point before saying that he would respond with the “generosity” with which his interrogator had shown, insisting that he received "excellent advice" from a wide range of advisers and officials before declaring: "I take full responsibility for everything that this Government does."

Which, of course, is a complete obsides fortunae or hostage to fortune as every Old Etonian knows.