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If the separation in rating points had been minimal, Bobby’s opinion of Collins might not have been so deprecatory.

He was also criticised for his "deprecatory" and "patronising" tone towards the Standards Commissioner during inquiries in to the breach.

“I totally get why you might think it was arrogance, but it’s more our self deprecatory sense of humour,” he insisted.

That deprecatory note is a common one: the Comic Novel as the revolving bow tie, the novelty Christmas jumper of fiction.

“They were extremely deprecatory towards me,” he said.