Britain's Defence Secretary Liam Fox apologised on Sunday after claims that his links to an unofficial adviser may have breached national security, but indicated that he intended to remain in his role.
He admitted some mistakes in his ties with former flatmate and best man at his wedding, Adam Werritty, but said he did "not believe that wrongdoing did occur".
"I accept that it was a mistake to allow distinctions to be blurred between my professional responsibilities and my personal loyalties to a friend. I am sorry for this," he said in a statement.
"At no stage did I or my department provide classified information or briefings to Mr Werritty or assist with his commercial work - let alone benefit personally from this work.
"Nevertheless, I do accept that given Mr Werritty's defence related business interests, my frequent contacts with him may have given an impression of wrongdoing, and may also have given third-parties the misleading impression that Mr Werritty was an official adviser rather than simply a friend.