John Armstrong asks: What kind of pressure was exerted over the weekend to force Aaron Gilmore out? Has he done some kind of deal with the party?

1. Gilmore bows to the inevitable, resigns

Political scandals can bring out the worst in politicians, journalists, and even the public. When salacious details about the personal lives of politicians suddenly appear publicly, there can be a sense of sordidness and…

1. MP's mother calls claims 'disgusting'

While Prime Minister John Key was playing Angry Birds with MP Aaron Gilmore this week, he was simultaneously fluffing up his plumage for lovebirds with another MP - one he had hitherto subjected to the Angry Birds treatment…

1. Peters wants spy law updated fast

Aaron Gilmore no longer enjoys the confidence of his leader. That's curtains for a backbench list MP at the bottom of the National Party caucus, writes John Armstrong.

1. Tearful Gilmore: 'I crossed the line'

Aaron Gilmore is living testimony to Andy Warhol's prediction that in the future everyone will enjoy 15 minutes of fame, writes John Armstrong.

1. MP sorry but rejects most allegations

Aaron Gilmore has played up to the sort of born-to-rule Tory, I'm-more-important-than-you stereotype that National has tried to dismantle, writes Bryce Edwards.

1. video Gilmore makes tearful apology (4:41)

Never has a man moved from ridicule to glory so quickly. Just days before his speech on same-sex marriage, National MP Maurice Williamson was being pilloried for voicing concerns not about the gay onslaught, but the likely…

1. video Maurice Williamson: 'Rainbow across my electorate' (4:05)

Much of the chief press secretary's job involves anticipating when and where things might go awry, writes John Armstrong.

1. video Key: Cyber attacks, espionage targeting Govt (2:50)