GIVEN the choice, Cherie Blair would rather have been anywhere but facing the press pack last night. Her distrust of the media is so marked that this was the first time most people had heard a substantial statement from the Prime Minister's wife.

But she had no choice. Ten days of frenzied reporting had not been stilled by increasingly angry Downing Street statements. The only way to draw a line under this unsavoury episode was for the central figure to break her silence.

Whether Mrs Blair's emotional statement has effectively killed the story remains to be seen. We hope so.

Mrs Blair has made mistakes, and apologised for them last night. She was utterly wrong to try to evade the original allegations, undermining the credibility of the Downing Street press office in the process.

She has also been very nave in her dealings with convicted conman Peter Foster. Someone in such a sensitive role needs to exercise more care and judgement as to who they allow into their lives.

But the more substantial claims against her have crumbled. Mrs Blair bought the Bristol flats legally and without any financial favours.

It is not a little nauseating that this legitimate family transaction has turned into a witch-hunt against Mrs Blair by certain corners of the national press.

Here is a woman bringing up four children, including a toddler; pursuing a high-pressured career as a barrister; taking an active role in charity work; and fulfilling the role of Prime Minister's consort, home and abroad.

Mostly, she combines these demanding tasks successfully. For that Cherie Blair deserves admiration. Instead, she has been hounded like a criminal. This can only dissuade other talented people from considering public life.

Mrs Blair is no superwoman. But neither is she the wicked witch. She took her eye off one of those juggling balls for a moment or two, that is all. Now we should move on.

Updated: 13:14 Wednesday, December 11, 2002