A few years ago, some press people thought they were going to get one over on Paddy Ashdown when they discovered that he had an affair. Unfoutunatly for them, PA immedeatly confirmed it, even telling them that it was ancient news and his wife knew all about it and that things were back on track between him and his wife.
I believe Simon Hughes did not lie, but should have taken a leaf out of his former "bosses" book.