After years of bare-faced denials, such bare-faced contrition seemed something of a breakthrough.

ECONOMIST: Japan and North Korea

He said it was "nothing other than a bare-faced request to bail out a cash-starved Department of Health campaign".

BBC: Obesity marketing campaign 'cut'

He said Ms Pryce's claims in court were "bare-faced lies" and it was "rubbish" for her to say she had not wanted to place the stories about Huhne in the Mail on Sunday.

BBC: vicky pryce

He had faced calls to resign following the Independent Hillsborough Panel Report into the tragedy which laid bare a police cover-up attempting to shift the blame on to victims.

BBC: Sir Norman Bettison