My bizarre meetings with Boris

M.E.N. REPORTER BETH ABBIT ON THE TIMES SHE INTERVIEWED PRIME MINISTER WHO QUIT LAST WEEK

EVEN before he became prime minister, we were used to seeing Boris Johnson's face on a regular basis.

We've all seen the footage of him getting stuck on a zipline. We've seen the posh, blustering Boris on telly. And the serious, head-bowed-in-regret Boris. We think we know him. So no matter what your politics, it's always going to be fascinating to meet the man in person. But nothing can prepare you for real life Boris - perhaps the most bizarre Boris of the lot.

My first encounter with Mr Johnson came at North Manchester General Hospital back in September 2019. Buoyant ahead of the Tory Party conference, he had been chatting to NHS staff with a promise of huge investment.

"Chaos, the weather," said our photographer, as the PM sat down. "It's not too bad. Could be worse," Mr Johnson shot back, cheerily.

"I've got to go to the floods afterwards," continued the snapper, for some reason.

"Really, where are the floods?"

"In Oldham."