Carefully skirting around a direct admission of guilt, the British former defence secretary, Liam Fox, whilst addressing parliament on Wednesday, said,
"The ministerial code has been found to be breached. For this I am sorry."
"I accept it is not only the substance but [also] perception that matters. That is why I chose to resign. I accept the consequences for me without bitterness or rancour. I do not blame anyone else, and I believe that you do not turn your back on your friends or family in times of trouble."
"With hindsight, I should have been more willing to listen to concerns of those around me."
Criticising parts of the media for 'hounding' both himself and members of his family, Fox added,
"It is difficult to operate in the modern environment, as we know, where every bit of information, however irrelevant or immaterial, is sensationalised, and where opinions or even accusations are treated as fact.
"I would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support."
"It is not easy to watch someone you care about being attacked in a very aggressive and prolonged way."
