Those two 'ifs', Nigel. That he went to Durham and back is indisputable. The press reports on this are correct. As to if he was unsure he should have got advice. He is wrong either way. If he was sure he should not have gone. If wasn't sure and had got medical advice they would have told him not to go. The only thing that rings vaguely true in his cover up is that he has no friends to rely on. But even then he has enough money to pay for care.

Even if anyone can cast doubt that what he did was wrong he should still have the decency to resign. That is what both Neil Ferguson and Catherine Calderwood did.