Who's sorry now?

So saying sorry does happen, if maybe through gritted teeth and a telephone call's emphasis for its need. Dave Hartnett has now apologised for his rather strange insistance that the HMRC did nothing wrong in its handling of the income tax corrections. For a man who has decided to be called "Dave" yet is one one the most wined and dined mandarins one has to wonder if the man is not some kind of Jekyll and Hyde taxgatherer. He could have remained David Hartnett, unknown government official. Now he is Gourmet Dave, contrite yet contrary taxman, known to be someone the press and media generally will follow with relish.