contrition

And the old political playbook — confession, contrition, capitulation — is obviously no longer operative, as candidates find it not only possible but even advantageous to brazen their way through storms of uproar and opprobrium.

But what was less clear is whether the party needs to show more contrition about how they arrived at such a low point.

The mitigation is meant for those who show contrition or really were unjustly convicted.

While Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart said Andrew "should show some contrition by returning every penny of rent that he's not paid while disgracing his office".

But it was in a statement that showed little contrition and emphasised his innocence.