Fox apologises for breaking ministerial code

Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has apologised to the House of Commons for breaching the ministerial code.

In a personal statement he told MPs he accepted the findings of Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell's report "without bitterness and rancour".

The report found Mr Fox had broken ministerial rules over his links with close friend and self-styled adviser Adam Werritty. Sir Gus O'Donnell's said there had been a "failure of judgement", for which Mr Fox took ultimate responsibility.

Addressing the Commons on 19 October 2011 Mr Fox said his resignation last week was a "deep personal disappointment" and that he was "very sorry" to all those he had let down.

He accepted responsibility for his mistakes. But he said it was unacceptable that family and friends "were hounded and intimidated" by media.

Mr Fox reiterated that he did not gain financially from the relationship and that no classified information was revealed to Mr Werritty.

He told MPs he would miss working for the Ministry of Defence which had been a "life-changing experience", and wished luck to his successor, Philip Hammond.

Mr Fox ended by saying the government would continue to enjoy his "full support" from the backbenches.