There is a different between public scrutiny and being deliberately miscontrued to stir up controversy.
But that is what the press do, and the public lap it up, which is why most politicians never deviate from the vetted script.
As a society we get the mealy-mouthed, two-faced politicians we deserve.
I do not often agree with Sam Leith, but he sums up my views on the Godfrey Bloom affair rather well: http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/sam-leith-nigel-farage-proves-to-be-a-politician-like-all-the-rest-8834530.html