Possible Clues:

• Forgives former lover with profanity about end of romance
• One pardons such employments at last
• 'Stop avoiding responsibility!'
• Pardons and releases
• Reasons that may be flimsy or lame
• Copper in Essex demolished feeble defences
• Former Conservative exploits justifications
• Releases from a duty
• Half-heartedly swears on late pardons
• Defences for failures