It takes a special kind of narcissism to think you are pulling a political masterstroke and then end up arguing with an intergalactic bin. But Nigel Farage has always believed himself to be touched by genius and impervious to the rules that rein in other people, a conviction reinforced by the many newspapers and media outlets that have feted and elevated him over the last 15 years.

It is scarcely an exaggeration to suggest his rise has been bolstered by journalists and broadcasters who thought he was good copy, and cared little for the long-term consequences. Thus Brexit; thus racism; thus disinformation, otherwise known as lies; thus his party’s muddy relationship with Russia; thus his undeclared £5 million crypto‑currency “donation”.

Even when he announced he would be making an announcement, there was a breathlessness about the coverage. All that “will he, won’t he?” speculation in the hour leading up to it, and the pandering to his self-importance as he stood behind his lectern flanked by Union flags. It was as if he were a prime minister‑in‑waiting instead of – hopefully – a man who is about to reach the end of his road.

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The forcing of a by‑election in Clacton was a massive miscalculation. Vox‑popping in the jaded seaside constituency may suggest there are plenty of voters there who aren’t bothered where Farage gets his money, so long as he continues to give the establishment – as they wrongly see it – a right good kicking.

But his popularity, like Boris Johnson’s, is predicated on his jolly, beer‑swilling man‑of‑the‑people persona, and we have now seen how quickly that persona dissolves under pressure to reveal........

© Herald Scotland