1.   Where the third party act consists of deliberate wrongful conduct the courts will use the tests set out in Home Office v Dorset Yacht and Lamb v Camden.

2.   But it is precisely such direct linkage between allegedly wrongful conduct in office and legal sanctions that some historians and legal observers deem off-the-mark.

3.   GM has demanded as conditions for any settlement that VW sever all ties to Lopez, acknowledge wrongful conduct and accept responsibility to remedy the wrongdoing.

4.   GM reiterated today that it wants VW to acknowledge wrongful conduct and to compensate it for damages.

5.   Therefore, the age of the performers is the crucial element separating legal innocence from wrongful conduct.

6.   To acquit the president may well weaken the rule of law and would create a precedent that could very well encourage wrongful conduct by public officials.

7.   An out-of-court resolution would only be possible if VW leadership acknowledges wrongful conduct, dismisses Lopez and his collaborators and pays damages, the statement said.

8.   An out-of-court resolution would only be possible if VW leadership acknowledged wrongful conduct, dismissed Lopez and paid damages, the statement said.