Senator, as you no doubt understand, you have major responsibilities as a minister of the Crown. Despite the past conduct of your colleagues—I'm thinking of false accusations made in the House by people who were protected by the House—if there were a thief in your department, would you let your reputation be destroyed in the eyes of your family and friends simply because you are the minister responsible?
If you believe it would be illegitimate to publicly destroy your reputation as the minister in the eyes of your children and grandchildren, shouldn't you apologize to the previous ministers who were subjected to those false accusations by people who were protected by the House, by your colleagues?