plead ignorance

He'd pleaded ignorance, and they'd punished him for it even though he told the truth.

That they may not plead ignorance at a future time.

My mother never tried to plead ignorance of that fact.

None of these people could plead ignorance after the event, although many did so.

Even if he knew who they were, she suspected he'd have pleaded ignorance.

"Or second the President can lie to the people and plead ignorance of the situation."

Although she has pleaded ignorance, the final responsibility was hers.

That way they could always plead ignorance about what happened after it took off.

The Council must stop pleading ignorance of the problem, come back down to earth and face reality.

To many specific questions, he often pleaded ignorance or a bad memory.