That Boris Johnson has become the first baptised Catholic to occupy 10 Downing Street might suggest that God has a sharper sense of humour than even the Prime Minister himself.

Johnson has both a rabbi and a Turkish Muslim in his family tree. But significantly his mother, Charlotte Fawcett, was a Catholic and he was baptised into her faith with Lady Rachel Billington, the daughter of Lord Longford, acting as his godmother.

It was noted on Holy Smoke, the religious affairs podcast of the Spectator, however, that Johnson was confirmed into the Anglican Communion while a boy at Eton College.