Despite being an experienced politician who has held high office for six years, David Cameron has demonstrated poor judgment in his handling of the Panama data leak.
There is no doubt that having his father's name dragged into this global scandal is a deeply personal and uncomfortable matter for the prime minister but that should not obscure his duty to be open and transparent with the British public with regard to his own financial dealings.
After days of obfuscation and a drip feed of statements, Mr Cameron finally admitted he had benefited from a controversial fund registered by his father in Panama.
Rather than coming clean at the first opportunity, the prime minister has been made to look less than straightforward and has raised further questions about his family finances.
He has undoubtedly been damaged by this affair and can expect to come under further political pressure from opponents who have been handed something of a gift.
