For all his flaws, Simon Wessely is also a very astute politician. He must be aware that PACE and his BPS model are sinking and it would be surprising if he was not calculating how he can avoid drowning along with his ship and its crew.
One option would be denial. Wessely is a master of the false narrative but there is surely too much on record for that to work, even for a manipulator and escapologist of his experience.
Another option occurred to me when I was listening to John Major talking about Martin McGuiness after his death. I don't want to get into an argument about Irish politics, or the rights and wrongs of McGuiness and the IRA. But it was thinking about the legacy of the former IRA leader and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland that made me question, what if Simon Wessley were to admit that he was wrong, apologise, ask for forgiveness and use his power and influence to promote biomedical ME/CFS research?
It may seem improbable but he must be aware that he risks being remembered by future generations of doctors for all the wrong reasons, and for someone who is as concerned about his status and reputation as he appears to be that must be a scary thought. Many would never be able to forgive him but a mea culpa would surely be the best outcome for patients. For my part, I would struggle to forgive him, but if he was ever truely remorseful I would try. To live with the knowledge of the horrors that he has inflicted on so many innocent people would be a very heavy cross for anyone to bear.