That’s politics I’m afraid. It’s humiliating for the man, I’m sure he’s a nice guy and all, but I couldn’t help but laugh. In this economic climate when a G7 finance minister shows up like that, it’s just icing on the cake.
You're right on all counts — and I had to laugh too. I was just saying that we never know enough from just media reports to pass judgment. In this case, the guy's excuse is plausible. He needed someone to keep him away from a microphone for a few hours.