Related Clues:

• Trial excuse
• Possible proof of innocence
• ''I was at home sleeping at the time,'' e.g
• Airtight story
• Excuse for party in capital
• Plea to hold small party in first-class accommodation
• Politician protected by first-class defence
• Claim that one's in French town, for example
• Defence gets one bail improperly
• Defence of California resort unbounded by Italy
• Politician in first-class cover-up
• An out-of-the-way plea
• Account mostly sent back in first-class defence
• A politician I must follow as an excuse
• Primarily, accused party may need one?