Press hounded me, says Fox as he says sorry over Werritty

Liam Fox told MPs today that he was "very sorry" for breaching ministerial rules - but launched an attack on Press reporting of the scandal that made him resign.

In a personal statement in the Commons, he admitted he should have been "more willing to listen to the concerns of those around me" about his relationship with best man Adam Werritty.

"The Ministerial Code has been found to be breached and for this I am sorry," Dr Fox said. "I accept it's not only the substance but the perception that matters, and that is why I chose to resign. I do not blame anyone else and I believe that you do not turn your back on your friends or family in times of trouble."

He said he left office "without bitterness or rancour" but then launched a scathing attack on the Press for "hounding" his family, including children and elderly people. Some reporters had shown "vindictiveness and even hatred" towards him, he claimed.

Referring to Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O' Donnell's report on the affair, he said: "I have always believed in personal responsibility and accept the Cabinet Secretary's conclusions."

But he did not specifically apologise for one of the most critical findings of the inquiry, that he put lives at risk among his staff by sharing his travel plans with Mr Werritty.

He was hugged by Desmond Swayne, the Prime Minister's parliamentary private secretary, in what MPs saw as a sign of No 10 goodwill. Defence Minister Gerald Howarth patted him on the back.

Cabinet Ministers Eric Pickles and Andrew Lansley suggested he could make a comeback. A senior Downing Street source confirmed that had not been ruled out: "It's possible in years to come. We have not said no, definitely not." Meanwhile Tory Party fundraisers were drawn into the affair amid claims that senior figures helped raise cash for his best man Mr Werritty.

The Jewish Chronicle reported that the party targeted businessmen from the community to give money to Mr Werritty's activities, which included strong support for Israel. In recent days several high-profile Jewish businessmen were revealed to have given money to Mr Werritty's not-for-profit company Pargav, which funded his travel and expenses.

Mr Werritty met Dr Fox 22 times in his HQ and 18 times abroad, and handed out business cards describing himself as an adviser to the defe nce secretary. Sir Gus's report said Dr Fox ignored warnings by civil servants about his links with Mr Werritty.