The National:

ONE of the keys to success in politics in keeping yourself in the public eye.

This week, David Mundell gave a masterclass in the practice.

With the mediaโ€™s attention focused on the Tory leadership race, the Scottish Secretary found the perfect way to insert himself into the news cycle.

Key to the strategy is adopt a position that will grab peopleโ€™s attention โ€“ a completely contradictory one, for example.

WATCH: David Mundell squirms when asked about old Boris Johnson quote

Asked by ITV Borders if he would serve in a cabinet led by Johnson, Mundell claimed: โ€œIโ€™ve never said that I wouldnโ€™t serve under a Boris Johnson government.โ€

Thatโ€™ll do it.

Remember, in December last year Mundell told the BBC: โ€œGiven my views about Mr Johnson, which are well known, that would be extremely difficult.

โ€œMr Johnson and I donโ€™t agree on a whole range of issues and I donโ€™t see myself being able to serve in that way.โ€

And so for the next 58 seconds, the Scottish Secretary stuck to his guns, despite repeated reminders from the interviewer that he was contradicting himself.

It made for a truly excruciating watch โ€“ exactly the kind of stuff thatโ€™ll catch peopleโ€™s attention.

Judging by the response on Twitter, Mundell did just that.

MP Mhairi Black expressed solidarity with him, recalling having to face a similar dilemma.

Scottish football pundit Michael Stewart put it a bit more bluntly.

National columnist Andrew Tickell was full of praise for the โ€œTory triangulation strategyโ€.

Independence campaigner Doug Daniel did Mundell the honour of comparing him to Ruth Davidson.

SNP politician Paul Monaghan got to grips with the Scottish Secretaryโ€™s new position.

Councillor Elena Whitham commented on his political flexibility.

The tributes didnโ€™t end there โ€ฆ