But police cleared Thompson when the children gave inconsistent statements and two of them, including the ringleader, admitted they had made the story up.

An inconsistent statement that might undo the entire case could be more than embarrassing.

And inconsistent statements from department officials about who knew what and when have only raised more concerns.

Russian officials, for their part, issued widely inconsistent statements.

The police also said she gave inconsistent statements.

Proof of a previous inconsistent statement does not make that statement evidence against the accused.

"Then your statement to the cops in their report is a prior inconsistent statement."

It was this rather inconsistent statement that had provoked the protest in which Geoffrey found himself caught up.

Officials said the passengers made inconsistent statements about the purpose of their trip.

"There are many reasons you can have inconsistent statements."