MUCH as it pains me to do so, I do have some grudging sympathy for Boris Johnson over the flooding afflicting various parts of the UK ("Storm claims another victim as PM in firing line for failing to visit flood areas", The Herald, February 18).

Whether he visits the severely affected areas or doesn't, he is damned one way or the other. I wonder if he has in his mind the hostile reception the Australian Prime Minister faced when he went out of his way to visit some badly damaged areas?

Yet Mr Johnson is our PM and should be ready to face the flak which comes with the position. To say nothing and to be accused of hiding does nothing for his credibility. To go out and to meet with criticism would indicate a willingness to face the mood music. Instead he has put himself into limbo with his non-reaction.

Perhaps his intergalactic guru has advised him to remain schtum and to ride out the media storm in this way.

Miscalculation may well prove our man's undoing as the electors who lent him their votes begin to weary of his vaudeville or Wizard of Oz act.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating and he may well be seen as the biggest and most boastful dumpling of all if his Brexit bravado falls flat and ends with an economic slump.

Meanwhile the floods are still ruining people's lives and could do so for many monsoons to come.

Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs.