"It was an irresponsible comment by John Coates," said Lee Echols, the spokesman.

Today, he told Italian senators that the criticism was "artificial," "based on nothing" and "fed by irresponsible comments from the opposition."

Referring to accusations of interference in Iraq's affairs, he said, "We are hopeful that in the future we will not witness such irresponsible comments."

Within hours, the Pakistani Foreign Office issued a statement calling Mr. Roy's comments irresponsible and baseless.

"I caution Raffaella Fico that she will pay damages for any further irresponsible comments that she makes."

'When I see these unreliable, irresponsible comments, it strengthens my resolve to go forward with the case,' said Venables.

The Union's economic problems have deeper roots, quite aside from political problems resulting from unfair and irresponsible comments directed at the governments of certain Member States.

The extreme and irresponsible comments raising the possibility of excluding such a supposedly arrogant country from the Union are cause for alarm.

Yet, Cardinal Zen was blamed by the public for his inappropriate and irresponsible comments.

Michael Fallon has issued a bullish response to town doctors who accused him of making 'fallacious and irresponsible' comments about the NHS.