Best Excuse's!

Shahid Malik, shortly before stepping down as Justice Minister:

"I think this is a bit of a non-story to be honest. I have absolutely nothing to apologise for. I have done nothing wrong. I have not been at the periphery of the rules. I haven't abused the rules, I have been absolutely at the core of the rules."

Best Excuse's!

Andrew MacKay, who resigned as a Commons aide to David Cameron, the Tory leader after claiming his MP wife’s “second home” was his “main home”:

"This was all transparent, it was all approved and frankly until it was drawn to my attention it did not occur to me that it didn't pass the reasonableness test. Looking back now, it does look strange, I have clearly made an error of judgment for which I profusely apologise and I've done what I think is the right thing."

Best Excuse's!

Elliot Morley, former agriculture minister, who claimed for a mortgage that did not exist:

"I do not believe any offence has been committed. I have reported this to the finance department and chief whip.”