Blog: It’s a statement loaded with emotion that swings from grief to thinly-veiled anger to a touch of pleading to be believed, even. But was it really necessary for William Hague to issue such a very public outpouring and, in one possibly misguided move, elevate a story from internet gossip to every front page?

The suggestion that there was an improper relationship with his aide Christopher Myers was one which may have been circulating Westminster and hinted at in some of the tabloids, but it had gained little momentum in more public forums – until Mr Hague waded in yesterday.

Today it is headline news and everyone is talking about it and,  more importantly, discussing the implications of what seems like a reaction too far on his part.

Certainly when added to Mr Myers’ resignation it seems like a desperate move. And one which shouldn’t have been necessary when there’s nothing to hide.

Foreign Secretary William Hague and his wife, Ffion

But, then again, is it because the public now want this kind of poignant blood-letting from their politicians? Do we actually need those who walk the corridors of power to hand over their most vulnerable moments in confessionals we can then pore over in order to see them as more human?

It is a very 21st century need to “let it all out and talk about it” and despite his protests that everyone deserves a private life, Mr Hague today joined a growing list of politicians only too willing to dissect their most intimate troubles and difficult times for public consumption.

Certainly his forebears at Westminster would not have countenanced such a move; they’d have seen it as a distinct weakness to allow voters to see behind closed doors and know there was anything on the home front with the potential to dent their professional armour. But the stiff upper lip is becoming a thing of the past in a society ruled by the therapist’s couch.

The Foreign Secretary and his contemporaries are operating in a very different time to those in the hot seat let’s say 50 or 20, and possibly even 10, years ago. And what might seem like a rocket launched without any satellite navigation system could become a smart move by Mr Hague.

His initial denial of any “improper relationship” and Myers’ resignation certainly fuelled the rumours, ironically prompted by the sharing of a hotel bedroom which probably saved taxpayers’ cash, and added to people’s fears that once again public funds were being misused to employ someone for reasons other than being qualified for the job.

But after reading his second statement in full there can be few people today who won’t feel for the Hagues and the painful journey they have endured to have a child. And don’t doubt that there will be many a voter today endeared to him because he was willing to share that pain. Social networking, reality shows, gossip mags and blogs have created a public which is not just nosy, but which wants its pound of flesh in more ways than one. Even from those who should be above all that.

Mr Hague has given them just that today and at least, for now, the sympathy vote is his.

By Tracey O’Sullivan