Tom Lukiwski gave his apology in the House of Commons, to nearly empty opposition benches.

Attendance on Friday is usually spotty, as many MPs have already left for their ridings for the weekend.

There were enough Tories bunched around Lukiwski, otherwise on television it would have looked like the speech of a very lonely man. The camera in the Commons only shows the person speaking and those sitting close by.

MPs on all sides were listening attentively as he spoke.

Most who commented later agreed that Lukiwski sounded contrite and that his remarks were heartfelt.

When Lukiwski finished, his Conservative colleagues gave him a standing ovation, many members of the opposition clapped politely.

Lukiwski left the house of Commons, almost immediately .

Within minutes of his departure opposition MPs were expresssing their views that while he may have been sincere, Lukiwski should pay a higher price, and lose his position as parliamentary Secretary to House leader Peter Van Loan.

Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis was a little more sympathetic.

"It was stupid for him to say it , it was stupid for him to say it at an open mic which means you have to watch out what you say where you say it and in what context, he said it, he apologized, it was a long time ago let it go let sleeping dogs lie"

So far the prime minister has not commented but the word from his office is that the case is closed.