package libreoffice-core 1:3.4.4-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1

[Shanekpiper]

after trying to force install it failed with the summary message

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: libreoffice-core 1:3.4.4-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.0.0-13.22-generic 3.0.6
Uname: Linux 3.0.0-13-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
ApportVersion: 1.90-0ubuntu1
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Jan 12 19:59:28 2012
DpkgTerminalLog:
 Preparing to replace libreoffice-core 1:3.4.4-0ubuntu2 (using .../libreoffice-core_1%3a3.5.0~beta2-2ubuntu2_amd64.deb) ...
 rmdir: failed to remove `usr/lib/libreoffice/basis3.4/program/': No such file or directory
 dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/libreoffice-core_1%3a3.5.0~beta2-2ubuntu2_amd64.deb (--unpack):
  subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
ErrorMessage: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Release amd64 (20111012)
SourcePackage: libreoffice
Title: package libreoffice-core 1:3.4.4-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to precise on 2012-01-12 (0 days ago)