Leading article: The most salutary punishment is to be found out

Perhaps it represents something of a last taboo. But you have to ask what it is about young men – and not so young men – of a certain background that makes them think it amusing to dress up in Nazi uniforms and salute Adolf Hitler. The latest to be caught disporting himself at such a gathering is Aidan Burley, the Conservative MP for Cannock Chase. He has now issued a torrent of apologies and regrets, referring to "clearly inappropriate behaviour by some of the other guests", and lost his footing on the first step of the parliamentary career ladder. Local parties have no right of recall, so it will not be until the next election that his constituents get to decide whether he is a suitable person to represent them. The one consolation is that mobile phone cameras can now expose involvement in such malign and juvenile goings-on by those, such as Mr Burley, who should know better. In the end, the risk of publicity may prove the best deterrent.