Private indiscretions of public figures

What a hypocrite! If the man had any decency he would resign, but obviously he does not. If someone further down the pecking order was found to be conducting an affair on council time and in council property they would surely be disciplined if not sacked. Why should the top dog get off scot-free?

Yes - it's the hypocrisy rather than what he actually did - plus the points about where, when and with whom. That's why Boris gets away with his behaviour - he's not hypocritical about his private life

Perhaps his marriage "remains happy" because of the affair Absent although have to agree that nookie in company time is just not on, unless you own the company of course.

gillybob Is that what you get up to?

Once upon a time maybe Absent but not any more. Can't wait to get away from the bloody place and those swivel office chairs play havoc with my back!

I think if a candidate makes a big deal of happy family/family values /honesty etc then if you are caught behaving in a way that implies you don't really mean it then the trust that the electorate placed in them is broken.

Safer just to campaign on policy !

I often wonder what makes certain people want to become public figures and risk all of the skellingtons being let out? I don't really have anything to hide but would be made a meal out of, having had three husbands by the time I was 30. Still married to number three, but it keeps him on his toes!

In this instance, the skellingtons were created during his time in office. I think the worst aspect – in this case and the Monica Lewinski business, as well as probably many others – is the abuse of power. Power of course, even the limited power of a New Zealand mayor – is heady and seductive stuff for many.

Oh yes I agree Absent power is an aphrodisiac to many women (and some men too). Look at all the creepy men who seem to attract beautiful women. I wonder if it's the charm, the good looks, the money or the power?

Anyone who campaigns for public office on the basis of their private life deserves everything they get. It also suggests that they otherwise lack the competences and skills to do the job they aspire to so have to fall back on their domestic virtues to bolster the claim.

Sadly gilly the days when politicians were driven by a passion for equality / workers rights/ saving the status quo / etc etc seem to have gone! Today more politicians appear to be driven by power and celebrity rather than a commitment to a cause!

It is never OK for senior manager or official to have an affair with a younger or more junior employee.
And really voters, voting for these cosy looking grey haired men. When will they ever learn. The Good Wife is a great TV series but the on-off thing with her husband is dragging on a bit now. Ditch the bastard Alicia! Please!

Look at John Prescott. He had an affair with a junior in his department. He is still putting himself forward but what about the young woman? I think she was given the boot. Gillybob we need your life story. I can only manage one man in this life. Advice please or write a blog.

Paddy Ashdown, Cecil Parkinson....there are probably too many for us to remember. I think the issue in absent's example is not the infidelity as such but the values he campaigned on.

...have replied to this on the joke thread ....

Do we ever hear of female MPs having extra-marital affairs? Apart from Edwina Currie and she 'outed' herself also exposing John Major.

Not that many women in high enough roles to be romancing a junior member of staff.

DS is an academic. They have to let their superiors know if they are conducting a personal relationship with someone they teach or supervise..

I agree, he should go because he has been dishonest and he has abused his power.