But the difference for Cardinal O'Brien is that he is accused of improper behaviour himself.

BBC: Cardinal O'Brien's departure leaves a rudderless Church

The men accused the Scottish Catholic Church leader of improper behaviour in the 1980s - allegations he contests.

BBC: UK

In fact, one suspects that the police would have regarded accusations of such improper behaviour as domestic or trivial.

BBC: Jimmy Savile and workplace culture today

But these were more serious because they alleged Cardinal O'Brien was involved directly in improper behaviour towards other priests.

BBC: Cardinal Keith O'Brien resigns as Archbishop

They also deter improper behaviour by the police themselves, a greater threat to both the targets of searches and the public than media exposure.

ECONOMIST: Law and the media

We ought to be ruthless about searching out improper behaviour.

BBC: Police corruption: Gifts and second jobs to go on register

In a personal statement, Foreign Secretary William Hague has admitted sharing a hotel room with a young male special adviser during the election but has vehemently denied improper behaviour.

BBC: 'Serious questions' over Hague's judgement

"I know the newsrooms, I know how cultures develop and I'm hugely confident that there is no improper or unethical behaviour in our newsrooms, " he told ABC last week.

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It forced Mr Berlusconi to deny any improper or, in his words, "spicy" behaviour with Ms Letizia and he has pledged to resign "in a minute" if he is proved to have lied.

BBC: Defiant Berlusconi calm amid storm