failings

The Southern Trust admitted there had been "failings" in the cervical testing lab, but said it extended beyond individual staff members and reflected "wider system failings".

By contrast, India collapsed as the top-order failings from their recent series whitewash against New Zealand resurfaced.

Dr Chris Clough, former chair of the National Clinical Advisory Team who oversaw the final report into the brain surgery failings, said he did not believe the trust was learning lessons.

In his first public speech since announcing his resignation last month, Justin Welby told the House of Lords a head had to roll after a review criticised failings in handling of the scandal.

Plenty would think this unfair on the civil service, which has often found itself a scapegoat for failings of politicians but cannot publicly answer back.