Emil, you are so right-on! when you say
Those in public life know that is the higher standard that you must uphold. IF you hold your self as a moral beacon, a "City on a Hill" if you will, as has hyde, it must not only refrain from impropriety it must refrain from the apperance of impropriety.
but this is really the most benign position that Hyde could morally defend itself on. And it hasn't, and doesn't. It has abdicated all responsibility for the sake of expediency, as you say. Actually, expediency - in itself - is probably the nicest way to interpret it. I might go further...
I might also add that your perspective, which I truly do value, is giving LD a bit too much the benefit of the doubt. He was kind of wormy even when he was at Bath, albeit a smaller, skinnier one.