Richard White's love rotisserie

Nearly prime minister Mark Latham's Roman sex life hit the public conscience last week like a comet smashing into earth. Depending on your perspective, Nathalie Matthews was either Latham's fiancée or merely his counterparty in a situationship. One thing's not up for interpretation: her civil court proceedings have broadcast the most graphic particulars of their carnal escapades, only the latest of which was his 64^th birthday orgy in February at Sydney's Fullerton Hotel. Latham denies many of Matthews' allegations (though not the orgy).

Consensual sex between ugly adults is not a crime, and really no one's business – at least until they offer it up as national entertainment. Matthews doesn't strike me as particularly bright, threatening Latham with humiliation and exposure. You can't use shame as a point of leverage over someone incapable of shame. That is just obvious. Strangely, the very last person to comprehend this about Latham was the one lying down with him to make the beast with two backs.