Mr Poots said a minority should not besmirch the good work of the majority.

BBC: Edwin Poots defends Northern Ireland care workers

In part, that was because the Republicans who were out to besmirch John Kerry were so good at it that they more than compensated for their relative penury.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

"You can't besmirch places you don't like", Mr Steinberg said.

BBC: Hunt begins for most scenic spots

As soon as one politician, encouraged by this week's Supreme Court judgment, uses this opening to besmirch a rival, all politicians will immediately be tempted to do the same thing.

ECONOMIST: The Paula Jones ratchet