The increasingly common use of the term 'sleaze' to describe a range of conduct in public life reflects both a prevalent disregard for established conventions governing personal behaviour, public appointments, and financial interests and a growing disenchantment with politics in general. This book focuses on what has made 'sleaze' such a topical issue in modern public life. Through a series of case-studies it asks whether the UK experience is unique or whether it is part of a wider concern that an alarming number of politicians and senior public figures are placing personal gain above public duty.