package libaprutil1-ldap:amd64 1.5.3-1 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[David Greaves]

This happens when updating the system using the "Software Updater".

$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 14.04.5 LTS
Release: 14.04

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: libaprutil1-ldap:amd64 1.5.3-1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-135.184-generic 3.13.11-ckt39
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-135-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.25
Architecture: amd64
Date: Tue Nov 14 17:32:09 2017
DistributionChannelDescriptor:
 # This is a distribution channel descriptor
 # For more information see http://wiki.ubuntu.com/DistributionChannelDescriptor
 canonical-oem-somerville-trusty-amd64-20140620-0
DuplicateSignature: package:libaprutil1-ldap:amd64:1.5.3-1:package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-12-28 (321 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 "Trusty" - Build amd64 LIVE Binary 20140620-04:25
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.17.5ubuntu5.7
 apt 1.0.1ubuntu2.17
SourcePackage: apr-util
Title: package libaprutil1-ldap:amd64 1.5.3-1 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)