Salting the Battlefield

This programme contains some strong language.

ALARM CLOCK BLEEPS

-See you later.

-OK, see you later, darling.

-Next week.

COBRA at eight, Education Secretary at nine, Foreign Secretary after.

Then to Leicester, factory visit, lunch, press conference,

back to London, the House.

I'm not doing the backbenchers. They don't interest me.

-Anthea can do them.

-Sir, you agreed.

-I'm not doing it.

6:30, French President, reception, dinner, bi-lateral talks.

-And it's your mother's birthday.

-OK. And she gets...

-A handbag. Very nice. I've seen it.

-All right.

-Oh...I was promised news of Worricker.

-None.

IN GERMAN:

CHURCH BELL CHIMING

I heard you come in. Are you all right?

-Yeah, I'm fine.

-How was it?

Pretty brilliant. I was brilliant, I mean.

And them?

Yes. They responded brilliantly.

Good. I'm glad you're back.

Let's go to bed.

-Morning.

-Prime Minister.

Express - Bill's in trouble in Kiev.

Independent - Deputy Prime Minister's husband on bribery charges.

The Sun - Billy Whizz does a runner. Deputy PM's man flees questions.

Times - Catcheside faces Kiev bribery allegations.

Guardian - Anthea Catcheside's husband accused by Kiev.

ALARM CLOCK BLEEPS

SHE SIGHS WEARILY

CHATTER OUTSIDE

SHE SIGHS

-Bill!

-Just two seconds of your time. Just two seconds.

-Bill!

-Bill!

What does the PM think about the backhanders?

-Is it true your wife is planning to resign?

-Come on, Bill, how much did you...

You're up.

Yes.

-I'm surprised. I left you sleeping.

-Mm.

Here.

We could MAKE coffee, you know.

I never make coffee, I buy it.

I've noticed.

It's better. I see more.

Mrs Catcheside. Mrs Catcheside! This way, Mrs Catcheside!

Mrs Catcheside, did you accompany him to Kiev?

ALL ASK QUESTIONS AT ONCE

Anthea?

-SHE SIGHS

-Oh, God!

-HE LAUGHS

Sorry, Prime Minister, it's my fault, I overlooked this.

Yes?

-It's in the Independent.

-Well?

It's about the Bridge. It's strangely worded

but it's asking where the financing comes from.

-Is Stirling Rogers mentioned?

-He is.

-And the Americans?

-Yes.

-It's suggesting that you might be preparing to move out of Downing Street.

-Well, I'm not.

-So?

-So, what shall I say?

Well, we say nothing. If we go near the fire, we feed it.

If we ignore it, it dies. That's what I've learnt.

In this case? In this case specifically?

In this case as others.

By the way, what's the journalist's name?

And...when will she be back in town, do you think?

Allegra. How you getting on? This little story of yours,

where does it come from?

I see. You're not saying anything.

-Well, when we get into court, will it stand up?

-Let's hope so.

You've run it very small.

That's not me, that's editorial.

OK.

SHE EXHALES

MOBILE RINGS

Well, of all people.

I thought you weren't answering your phone.

I saw who it was.

Is there somewhere you can go to be private?

You're crazy. Have you read the papers?

-Obviously.

-Well, there is no private.

There hasn't been private for getting on for a month.

I need to see you.

All right.

MOBILE RINGS

Hello.

Rollo, bad news I'm afraid, we've had to move on.

-Again? What is this, Grand Tour of Europe?

-They're on to us.

-Who? How do you know?

-Because I recognised a jogger in Heidelberg.

I actually recruited her five years ago.

-They don't get any cleverer, do they?

-No, but we've all done worse things in our time, or I have.

-Rollo, I need to know, is the item in print?

-Yeah. This morning.

-Vague?

-Suitably.

-Any reaction?

-Not yet. Too early.

Never underestimate the British journalist's ability to miss a good story.

Rollo, we need to get going. This is feeling urgent.

-Can you come out and see me?

-Don't think so.

-Why not?

-Because I've now got an admirer of my own.

-Anyone we know?

My impression is, the whole service is working to one remit -

find Johnny Worricker.

-Let me know as soon as we get a reaction.

-Don't worry.

It may take time but I'll bet the farm he's going to jump.

-Morning, everyone.

-ALL:

-Morning.

Morning.

I don't believe this. You told me we had a deal.

-We did have a deal.

-And?

Those friends of yours paid back 200 million.

-That's what you told me.

-It's true. To the CIA.

And in return we were promised the end of the story.

I mean, we know who's behind this, hmm? Worricker.

-He's a shit.

-Alec, think of it his way. He's trapped.

They're both trapped, the two of them. They're...panicking.

They can't live in exile for the rest of their lives.

-I have to deal with all sorts of people - truly - people I can't even begin to describe to you...

-Sure.

Fair enough, that's the job.

It costs me nothing, I can do it in my sleep. Honestly.

But I demand one thing - people have to stick to their word.

What's he up to? What does he want?

And this has happened before.

He was meant to hand back that file.

He went back on his promise.

And now here we are, he's... done it again.

-But you don't actually know that.

-What, you think this item could be coincidence?

Don't jump to conclusions, it may turn out to be innocent.

Look at the wording - it's all pretty vague.

-We don't even know the name of the journalist.

-Well, exactly, but we know the paper. We know its editor.

-Yeah?

-You're a friend of Belinda's.

-Everyone's a friend of Belinda's.

-What, pony parties, is it?

Going up to Oxfordshire for barbecues and gin?

Her mother's a marchioness. Lady...Sheep-dip, Lady Cotswolds, I don't know.

Which means she's not easy to reach. She's so rich, so posh... she doesn't give a fuck.

That's the last thing we need.

Alec...I don't like to see you rattled.

-You've done nothing wrong, remember? You're not on trial.

-Not yet.

What charge are you meant to be facing?

You've started a foundation, which is for when you leave office,

to address major global issues of war and peace.

It's been part-funded by a group of American entrepreneurs,

who work in many diverse fields, including the security business.

So? Perhaps you'd like to tell me what's wrong with that?

Well, you know what's wrong.

The world is complicated. People have different interests. Public, private. It's how things are now.

It's not a question of how it is, it's a question of how it appears.

Especially when these same Americans have been caught ripping off the American taxpayer.

-They haven't been caught.

-Not in public.

-And they never will be.

Which is why it's essential that you remain the public face of the foundation.

Stirling, your hands are clean.

Certainly are. Spotless.

I mean, what's happening here?

I am trying to do something important for my country.

Because we're at war. If only people would admit it.

In one year Iran will have a nuclear weapon.

What, I'm just supposed to ignore it? Just sit back, let it happen?

Alec, you are the greatest politician of the age.

Your enemies are plankton.

Truly. Some rogue M15 man with a file!

Is that what the Prime Minister of Great Britain should be worrying about first thing in the morning?

Some tie-dyed arsehole from the Turks and Caicos?

-Was he wearing tie-dye?

-No, he wasn't.

Then, why did you say it?

Because it's a metaphor.

-And it's a joke!

-Huh, joke.

Alec, think about it, seriously.

Your people are out there, they've got Europe locked down.

By our count he's already moved at least five times.

There's no plan to it.

Worricker's moving zigzag, his brain's cotton wool,

he's just a...rat on a map.

-And when we get him?

-What?

I mean, when he's caught him. Have you thought about that?

Do you have any serious idea of what we then do with him? And the girlfriend.

-I've thought about it.

-Good, because that's the next stage.

Alec, you're getting this out of proportion.

No, getting him's the easy bit. It's what we do with him then.

-What d'you think?

-Pretty nice.

You'd better enjoy it.

Why? How many more flats do we have?

None.

-Well, don't look at me.

-By my reckoning, Wiesbaden's our fourth.

You never could count. Tenth.

You're including hotels.

Yeah. How could I forget?

-And we're running out of money.

-Great.

So can we go home?

HE CHUCKLES

Brian...

I've, er, got an unscheduled meeting. I want somewhere secure.

-Not in your own office?

-I said.

There's a room in the basement.

Come on, then.

I need to be left on my own.

It's national security.

It's kind of you to make time for me.

I wanted to see you because I'm deeply concerned.

Have you seen this?

Tell me about it.

I know security's no longer your remit...

I still get to see a lot of high-grade intelligence.

It passes across my desk.

-Yes, that's at my insistence.

-Is it really?

-Yes.

-I didn't know that.

-Well, it is.

I believe it's important in government that the most sensitive material

is always seen by more than one pair of eyes.

You'll have to explain.

The Prime Minister's judgment has always been faultless.

It certainly has.

Don't get me wrong.

He's a man who's called every major issue

of the last ten years correctly.

-And you're close to him.

-I am. I'm very close. I owe him a great deal.

-He made you acting head of the service. More than that, he protected you.

-Yes.

-When you most needed protecting.

-I'm in his debt.

-But?

But it's also healthy for government if there's a little air,

a little...ventilation around important decisions.

That way things don't get...cramped.

I don't know if you heard about a murder in the Caribbean,

a few months ago.

Yes, I think I heard something. A man with a strawberry mark?

-That's him.

-Yes, I saw a picture.

But, to be honest, it hasn't been my priority.

I'm sure.

I've had problems of my own. My errant husband.

-Well, of course we may be able to help you there.

-Sorry? Help me?

I mean, we may be able to give you information you may not have.

About your husband.

Stuff you don't know.

What sort of stuff?

Go on. What you were saying about the murder.

Have you heard of the Bridge?

The Prime Minister's plan to continue statesmanship beyond his formal period of elected office?

Yes. I've heard of it.

Well, it was one of the donors to that project that was killed.

-Do we know who by?

-And we've had some questions recently about the project's financing.

-It's financing?

-Yes.

-How it's financed?

Forgive me, but...I'm going to ask a question, because time is short.

-Oh, by all means.

-It's this - what's the subject of this meeting?

-What's the subject?

-Yes. Give me a headline.

Say, I'm going home, this evening in the car, or in the bath,

and I think, "I met Jill Tankard today and we talked about..."

What? What did we talk about? What was the subject?

-I've come in to open up a channel.

-What sort of channel?

A channel of communication.

To flag up potential trouble.

-It seems to me any trouble you're talking of isn't for me, it's for Alec.

-I think it may be.

Frankly, Jill, what you're saying doesn't add up to much.

-Doesn't it?

-I don't think so.

-Why not?

Because what's the beef here?

In his eagerness for a life beyond Downing Street,

the Prime Minister may have accidentally befriended some dubious characters.

-Crooks.

-So? What he'll do when he leaves government isn't strictly a matter FOR the government.

Isn't it? Maybe not, but if people find out about it - and this reference is the first sign -

then we may enter rough water.

And in rough water it'll be to your personal advantage

to be briefed about what's coming up before it actually happens.

-OK.

-And another thing...

-Yes?

-CIA's got a new boss.

How does that affect us?

He wants to draw a line under the excesses of the last ten years.

-Which ones?

-Private contractors ripping off the American public.

And that's been bad news

for a couple of the Prime Minister's friends.

Tell me one thing.

Is Johnny Worricker mixed up in this?

-Of course.

-And is he still on the loose?

He's in Germany. He was in Switzerland, with a... former intelligence officer.

A woman?

-We have real hopes of bringing them home.

-Soon?

Very. Nearly had them this morning. An agent was out running.

-But?

-We lost them.

How?

Incompetence.

So, meanwhile, you're offering me an inside track?

-You have it.

-For what reason?

For the obvious reason. Because you're Beasley's natural successor.

Hardly. Not at the moment I'm not.

Not while my husband's all over the papers.

We can deal with that.

You can deal with the British press in full cry?

I don't see why not.

At MI5 we've never had any problem with the press.

Really?

Politics is fair game, national security isn't.

They're like all bullies, they don't like being bullied back.

My whole point the closer you get to us, the easier your life will be.

If I agree to this... channel, what's going to happen?

I'm going to call you and we're going to meet.

Where?

-In this room.

-When?

-Whenever we need to.

One thing, do your colleagues know what you're doing?

No. Do yours?

Here, I got you these. Herrings. The ones you like.

Your favourites. I'm going to make a salad.

OK. I'm going to go for a walk.

-After lunch?

-Yes.

-Do you want me to come with you?

Great idea, and double the risk?

I got you this. It's at the local museum.

From Raphael to Dali.

It started last month. It's not too late to join.

Aren't you interested?

-Of course I'm interested.

-Well?

I started one art class in Lausanne. I started another in Heidelberg.

I'm tired of starting things I don't get to finish.

Margot, we both know the rules.

Keep our minds active.

-Exactly.

-Keep doing things.

Oh, God is that your idea of making a salad?

Sorry.

Here. Can't I send you on a salad-making course?

That'll keep your mind active.

We can retire and grow lettuces in Suffolk and you can practice.

This is all an attempt to break us. Think of it that way.

We're feeling like prisoners, that's how they want us to feel.

And do we have to stay relentlessly cheerful? All the time? Once or twice can't we be moody?

You can be moody.

Gherkins. Another thing you like.

"Essigurke speziell fur Feinschmecker."

I remember one thing about spying.

What's that? What do you remember?

What do I remember? Spies work alone.

PHONE RINGS

-Julianne?

-Yes?

-It's Margot.

-Hey - where are you now?

-Don't tell me. Is everything all right?

-Yes, it's fine.

-I haven't heard from Dad for weeks.

Well, no. He can't call you, he's frightened. And I shouldn't.

-But I couldn't resist.

-It's kind of you.

-Don't be silly.

-I'm glad one of you cares.

We both care. It's just Johnny's in an impossible position.

He's been in impossible positions since the day I was born.

He thrives on them.

How big are you?

I'm big. I'm due in a couple of months.

How's it going with Jez?

Oh, day by day. Life with a DJ.

Gets in when I'm getting up.

Are you living together?

-Almost. Not quite.

-Otherwise?

I'm superstitious.

I don't quite dare. But it does feel like this time I fell on my feet.

I just don't want to push it too far.

It's lovely to hear your voice, Julianne.

-I'll call you again. I don't know when but I will.

-Margot?

-Yes?

Take care of yourself.

-What?

-Seen this? You know who wrote it?

I have this strange feeling, she's been talking to our brothers in Millbank.

-How do you know that?

-I don't. I sense it.

-How?

Because that's how she came to us. From the BBC, remember? She broke the Jake Pierpan story.

That peacenik with the drippy sister.

Have you ever asked yourself why the sainted Allegra got that story?

Or, more interesting, why did they give it to her?

Maybe she's just a virgin who got lucky.

Yeah, right. I wonder, would you take her out for a drink?

If they're using us, let's see if we can use them.

All right, let's get going.

Ted, one thing. The diary story.

Scan the Internet to see if it spreads. Do it yourself, no one's to know.

Yes, sir, I'm sorry, I thought you said to ignore it.

We are ignoring it. I also want you to keep me informed.

You're back. Nice walk?

Yes. Sweet town, isn't it?

Yeah. Very sweet.

Bath, only in Germany and more genteel.

-I didn't know what you wanted to do this evening.

-What do you want to do?

You could go to a movie. Do you want me to cook supper?

-You don't have to entertain me, you know.

-Yeah, I know.

I was two years in Belfast, never spoke to a soul, remember?

I'm perfectly happy being unhappy, if you know what I mean.

You're very unfair.

Unfair. How?

-About my cooking.

-Oh.

Years ago, remember? I made you a carbonara.

How could I forget? You made me a Milanese.

I'll make you another.

They were good times.

They are good times.

When we move, we're going to move so fast you're not going to believe it.

Oh, I think I will.

How kind, thank you.

You're the first person in the office even to admit I exist.

It's a newspaper. You'll get used to it.

Yeah, but the editor's something, isn't she?

You only have power if you don't give a bugger. Belinda doesn't give a bugger.

That's what makes her special. When politicians ask her to lunch, she doesn't go.

Let's face it, you can only do a job properly if you're not frightened to lose it.

-Are you trying to tell me something?

-No, I'm trying to ask you something.

What? What are you asking?

Whether you work for the security services.

Or whether your boyfriend does.

If I have a boyfriend.

Whether you've been planted on us.

Is this a serious question?

Like that story this morning.

What about it?

Where did you get it?

It's not a bed thing, is it? One of two possibilities.

A bed thing or a family thing.

I'm going to lay a thousand to one its family.

Why?

Because when a journalist goes out on a limb, it's always family. Daddy works in intelligence, does he?

No.

Is he with the dumb ones in Millbank or with the clever ones in Vauxhall?

And I'm not out on a limb.

What are you planning to do with the story?

I'm not sure. I haven't decided.

You haven't decided?

OK. You don't spell it out, you leave it for the reader to

join the dots, but you're implying the Prime Minister takes money

from dodgy businessmen who fall in the sea in mysterious circumstances.

And you haven't decided?

What does the look mean?

I'm trying to work out if you're a great deal stupider than you appear, or a great deal cleverer.

MOBILE RINGS

-Hello?

-Allegra?

-Rollo.

-Are you at home?

-Yes.

Go to your computer, you'll find something which moves the story on.

It'd be great if it could go in tonight.

-Rollo...

-Yes?

-I'm getting frightened. People are asking questions.

-What people?

The editor sent a journalist to take me out for a drink.

-That's great. That's exactly what we want. Who did she send?

-Freddy Lagarde.

-Oh, Freddy. Did he take your virtue?

-For a Pinot Grigio?

People have done it for less.

One thing, get a new phone.

-As from this morning, your name is out there. Always assume someone is listening. And, Allegra?

-Yes?

Hold your nerve. With luck, there's going to be a lot more of this.

You've endured weeks of headlines,

do you really believe you can hold on as Deputy Prime Minister?

To be honest, I see no reason I shouldn't.

I stand up for my husband, I don't stand in for him.

Yes, but if he does appear in Kiev on charges of bribing

government officials...

It's a very different culture from our own.

And, by the way, if people do have questions of him,

then I'm confident Bill's going to have perfectly satisfactory answers.

But can you be sure of that?

Do you know, as a matter of fact, I can.

Well, I think this has been a very worthwhile evening.

It's good for the cabinet to meet informally for a change.

Kick some ideas around.

We appreciate you coming in, Anthea.

Things must be heavy on your plate.

If things can be heavy on a plate.

Full on my plate.

-Yes. Yes.

-Loaded.

-It has been an ordeal, hasn't it?

-Yes.

-But you are bearing up.

I wonder what you feel about that item in the Independent this morning, Prime Minister.

-What item was that? I don't think I saw it, did I? Remind me.

-You didn't see it, sir.

You have time to read the Independent, do you, Jock? Justice must be very under-worked.

It put up a red flag.

I'm amazed no one in your office picked up on it.

Anthea, did you see it?

No. I've no idea what he is talking about.

I'll tell you what it's about.

It said some of the people financing the Bridge have dubious backgrounds.

-Did it?

-It seems to be implying they're not above murdering each other.

Well, that's the way the world is. There's always someone who can't wait to fling a bucket of mud.

Get used to it.

I'll take a look at it.

Let's get out of here.

Oh, err... Worricker?

OK, this is going to be very simple. The simpler we keep it the better. It's not going to be difficult.

It's going to suit me, then, that's what you're saying.

-We pick up cars.

-OK.

-From different cities.

-OK.

-This is your Europcar card.

-Thank you.

-This is a map with a route, I've marked it.

You return the car as designated. Usual drill.

Except this time we stay separate.

Credit card. Passport.

Ah... Excellent. Who am I this time?

You're joking.

I liked it. It made me laugh.

And who are you? Cilla Black?

You don't need to know.

-And, by the way, I've wanted to say this but I haven't said it.

-What haven't you said?

I wanted to tell you, I minded it when you looked at my phone.

When you checked my calls. I hated that.

Well, then I won't be doing that again.

And also, just asking, how was my daughter?

Julianne? Julianne's fine.

You're up.

Mm hm. Yeah. Are you OK?

I'm fine.

I was just reading this stuff about Beasley. What a dag.

-Dag?

-Yeah. Dag's the stuff that hangs off the end of a sheep.

-You like him that much?

-I just don't like people who invent threats

to justify doing what they wanted to do all along.

Look at that face. He looks like a Russian mobster.

You don't think this country's under threat?

On the contrary. It's because I take real threats seriously

that I don't want to be blackmailed by phony ones.

Politicians who cry wolf are the most dangerous kind.

I'm interested, how can you know so much about it?

I'm interested. How can you not?

Sometimes I feel I really don't know anything about you.

-Don't you?

-No. No I don't.

But I'd like to.

Well, you'll have plenty of time to find out.

Here is the phone.

Danke.

Good luck.

PHONE RINGS

I hope you're moving.

-We are. I just said goodbye to her.

-Good.

As a matter of interest, who told you today was the day to get going?

Because, believe it or not, I still have some friends.

I'm amazed.

Johnny, you'd be even more amazed

if you knew how many people in Millbank are rooting for you.

Good afternoon. I believe you may have a car for me.

-Do you speak English?

-We do.

My German is rusty.

IN GERMAN

Marsden? OK.

Gerry Marsden.

IN GERMAN

Do you mind?

I guessed you were English.

-Where are you going? You don't mind me asking?

-Erm...

back to school. I'm a teacher.

-Where?

-Where?

I was asking, where do you teach?

I'm sorry...I'm tired.

I need to sleep.

SHIP'S HORN BLARES

You're well loaded up.

Isn't that what the continent's for?

-CHUCKLES:

-We all love a booze cruise.

FANS CHANT: ..the Arsenal,

unto victory, yeah!

We all follow the Arsenal! Over...

Thank you

Miss Springfield.

Thank you

-Ah, you must be Belinda Kay.

-Yes, I am.

How kind of you to see me. How are you?

And who are you?

I'm the man who telephoned.

Yes, of course you are.

24 bottles of wine.

Thank you. How thoughtful.

Because I'm a journalist I must be alcoholic?

You've come from abroad?

Erm...I hope you like Bourgueil.

Well, aren't you the welcome guest?

Come this way.

Goodness, this is quite imposing.

-Hey!

-Hey.

This is Barry.

He's my boyfriend, or some such thing...

-Hi.

-Barry.

I was just making some tea.

You're going to have to hop it.

-Sorry?

-This is confidential.

Hop it!

You never saw this man.

He doesn't exist.

(He's none too bright.)

Come through. Or perhaps you'd prefer whisky.

Not right now, I need a clear head.

Look, first of all I want to thank you

for all your paper's done already.

It's been a wonderful job.

Do you know how lonely that makes an editor feel?

You run a story and no-one else touches it.

I'm hoping we can change that.

People have low expectations.

You'd be surprised - Beasley's feathering his nest, so what?

He's got disreputable friends. So?

He's a politician.

I'm hoping to make the story a little more specific than that.

-A newspaper's not a blog, you know.

-I know that.

It's not just whatever you think, or whatever anyone happens to tell you.

There are editorial protocols.

Have you ever heard of them?

Of course. I'm hoping to satisfy those.

And somehow you're going to do that without telling me your name?

Unlikely.

The girl's a plant, isn't she?

No, I don't think so. If you mean Allegra.

The one with the damask cheek.

She of the butter-wouldn't-melt brigade.

Allegra isn't a plant, she's a conduit.

As a matter of fact, she's the niece of a colleague of mine.

Well, there you are.

That's England, one big family.

And I suppose now she's served her purpose it's time to move on to me.

All right, go ahead.

Make your pitch.

OK.

I don't know much you know about Britain's intelligence service...

Funny.

I had a feeling you might start there.

Well, the last ten years have been kind of bumpy.

It used to be very clear who the enemy was.

And so also it was clear what the job was.

-And then?

-And then we got caught out.

Trouble came from an unexpected direction.

Or rather it started coming from every direction.

Suddenly we were told we were meant to be fighting a worldwide movement.

And weren't you?

Let's just say we got a bit careless about distinguishing

between people who would like to do terrible things

and people who were actually doing them.

We became indiscriminate about the methods we used.

It was dog eat dog. The only problem is, we're not dogs.

Is "indiscriminate methods" a euphemism for torture?

Torture's just part of an apparatus.

An apparatus of bad practice, which is out of control

and which I don't believe is helping anyone, least of all us.

-Meanwhile, politicians want to cut corners.

-Sure.

Alec Beasley's been trying to reorganise the service.

-Reorganise it?

-And bypass it.

His mind's made up

-and the facts don't bother him.

-Well that's his right, isn't it?

-After all, he won a couple of elections.

-He certainly did.

Because people like his strength. He has a mandate. That is democracy.

And, speaking for myself, I have a great deal more faith

in someone I've elected than some disgruntled intelligence officer -

I'm assuming that's what you are - who arrives at my house

with two cases of wine and an outsized grievance.

I'm too young, but you may remember a prime minister called Harold Wilson.

I do remember him.

Didn't the security services spend a great deal of effort

trying to get rid of him?

I don't think that's ever been proved.

I didn't ask if it was proved, I asked if it were true.

-And I'm not trying to get rid of Beasley.

-Aren't you?

No. I'm trying to put the facts in front of the public.

You're a very plausible fellow, aren't you, whatever your name is.

Remember, I'm a rat-catcher myself. It takes one to know one.

And everything you say stinks to high heaven.

Tell me why.

No editor likes to be used.

You may be burning to bring down a prime minister, but I'm not.

That's not my intention. All I'm trying to do

is throw a little light on some of his activities.

Oh, I see, this is assisted killing, is it?

You put the pill in the hand but you don't put it in the mouth.

-No.

-You leave that to us.

I mean, just one more question -

-aren't you rather over-stretching your remit?

-I don't think so.

I thought you were meant to gather secrets, not give them away.

-So far, I don't remember giving you any secrets.

-I thought you did.

-No. Everything you've been told has been on the public record.

-Truly?

Only, just like most newspapers nowadays,

you've lacked the diligence to go out and find it.

Or maybe the motivation?

All right, these are the facts.

Great. Let's hear them.

The Prime Minister is linked to a series of interlocking charities

which are partly financed by a firm called Gladstone.

Gladstone has built an international complex of detention camps

which don't officially exist

and for which they've therefore been able to overcharge.

Now you're telling me something new.

The American government has put pressure on them

to get some of its money back. A great deal of pressure.

And have they succeeded?

That's something you're going to have to look into.

OK.

That's an interesting story, I'm sure we'll want to cover it.

We all love laughing at the Yanks,

-but I still don't see how that reflects on Alec Beasley.

-Don't you?

No.

I'll tell you.

But if I do, I'll be crossing a line.

-What sort of line?

-The secret line.

I need to know you're at peace with that.

Shouldn't that question be directed at you?

Very well.

It's going to be hard to unpick,

because Beasley's affairs are tangled up in companies

owned by Stirling Rogers.

But I can promise you,

somewhere there's a paper trail which leads directly back

from the building of the camps to the Prime Minister's

own personal finances.

Really?

Yeah.

I wonder...

Would you be interested in staying to eat?

PHONE RINGS

Miss Tankard?

Yes?

It's Amber Page. We've got Margot.

-How?

-Luck. Pure luck.

One of our people got on a train at Frankfurt.

He was on holiday, he wasn't even working.

Listen, here's the good news - she's heading home.

Where is she?

She's getting in at Stansted from Paris.

-We've got people waiting?

-They're in place.

-And him?

-No. He's not with her.

But it's all right.

One thing I can promise is he won't be without her for very long.

Keep in touch.

PHONE RINGS

-'Amber.'

-Yeah?

-'It's Jez.'

-Where are you?

I'm alone. I haven't got long. Julianne's forgotten her phone.

-'And?'

-You remember that call? The one from Margot?

-Of course. Last week.

-That's it.

'Unidentified caller.'

-Yes, the office has broken it.

-You've got Margot's number?

-We do.

Jez, I've got good news. We've also got Margot Tyrell in person.

-DOOR BANGS

-'She's heading back to the UK.'

-Good. Then we're in business.

-Text me that number.

-'I've done it.'

Hold on, I have to go.

Jez?

Are you awake?

Ah good, welcome to Barry's running buffet.

He's perfect, isn't he?

Heaven to live with. We lack for nothing.

Thank you, Barry.

My pleasure.

I'm afraid you're going to have to leave us again.

The coriander goes with the chicken

and the dressing goes with the rocket.

Don't worry, we'll manage.

Enjoy!

You have everything.

And you?

Friends and family?

None of my business, but you seem rather sad.

I'm not sad. It's just...

I suppose I was doing a job I loved and now it's been taken away.

You're an editor, I imagine it's pretty good fun.

And you were a spy.

Correct.

And you're wondering, "If I'm not a spy...

"then what am I?"

Shall we get back to the matter in hand?

There's a rule of thumb with this kind of campaign.

What do they say? "It's never the crime, it's the cover-up."

Well, there isn't a cover-up yet. We haven't got that far.

Right, so we have to force him into one.

We have to ask him questions which he can't answer.

Do you know what those questions are?

The other rule is, as you say,

a campaign isn't a campaign if it's only been picked up by one paper.

No-one else is going to touch it until they have to.

Well, then we'd better make sure the questions are good.

Thanks, guys.

You ARE good at this.

Thank you.

Why don't you have a jacket?

-Obviously cos I'm not as good as you are.

-Where are we going?

To a safe house.

Good afternoon.

I'm an old friend of Johnny's.

How nice to meet you.

We were at Cambridge together.

Goodness.

Yes. Oh, yes. Johnny was a very real loss to theology.

-Can I leave her in your hands, Padre?

-Of course you can.

Sorry, but I've to get back to work.

Talk soon.

It's the Church's traditional function.

The thing we've done best for two thousand years -

provide sanctuary.

-ALL:

-# ..sweet chariot

# Coming for to carry me home

# Swing low, sweet chariot

# Coming for to carry me home. #

What the hell's going on?

It's a celebration.

That I can see.

We've been told tomorrow the charges are going to be dropped.

Dropped?

All of them?

The Ukrainian court has decided

it's not in the public interest to proceed.

Meaning what? Meaning someone's done a deal?

I guess.

What sort of deal? A trade deal?

-What sort of trade?

-What is it always?

Weapons, of course. Arms.

It's always arms.

With one bound I'm free.

LAUGHTER IN NEXT ROOM

Get those men out of my house.

KEYPAD BEEPS

PHONE RINGS

Jill?

Yes?

We need to meet. Urgently.

Yes, of course.

You know what's happening to Bill?

I told you, didn't I? Stick close to us.

'I need to be clear. Is this your doing?'

Anthea, can I say something?

It's one thing to go around saying what you want.

The test comes when you're actually given the chance to get it.

'That's when you're tested.'

When they wanted to get rid of Margaret Thatcher,

John Major got toothache so he didn't have to answer his phone.

A week later, he was Prime Minister.

How are your teeth?

Just beginning to ache.

Good. I'm glad to hear it.

SHE SIGHS

You see him often?

Hmm, when he's in trouble.

But you know how Johnny is.

Once you're his friend, you're his friend for ever.

He's loyal, above all things. But you know that.

Yes. We were together a long time.

He wasn't threatened by me.

The stronger I was, the more he liked it.

That's rare.

Good for him.

You know him well?

I helped him through some difficult days.

When he was a student, he loved the idea of faith.

The life of the church.

So someone had to point out that he didn't actually believe.

And that was you?

Hm.

And he didn't?

No. He wanted to. More than anything.

But, sadly, that's not the same thing.

-Thank you.

-No, thank you.

Barry, good night.

ENGINE STARTS

SQUASH BEING PLAYED

HE GRUNTS

Come on, Stirling. Your backhand's normally terrific.

-What the hell's going on?

-My mind's elsewhere, sorry.

I need you to give me a game. Do you want to play properly?

Cos if you don't play properly there's no point in playing.

Oh, come on, Stirling, you can do better than that.

All right, you know what this is.

-No, I don't.

-You bloody well do!

-Ah...it's that again, is it?

-I've reached a decision.

Alec, I'm roadkill.

I don't mean a thing. Lose me, you lose nothing.

Think, the press are after us. It's only a question of time.

-So I issue a statement...

-No.

It's simple, "Everything I've done, I've done in good faith.

"My only interest has been in safeguarding

-"the Prime Minister's legacy."

-Stirling, no!

However, unknown to you - and this is the crucial part -

unknown to you, "I took money from certain people in the States."

-No...

-But why not? It's a clean cut.

You know what it sounds like. Unknown to me

you took dodgy money and I'm so stupid I didn't even know.

-Alec, you know where this is going.

-No, I don't.

It's going where every political scandal always goes.

The press doesn't give a fuck about the issues,

-they just want a kill.

-Clearly.

Well, here I am. I'm offering myself.

-No.

-And for one very good reason - if I go, the screaming's over.

But it doesn't work like that.

Then how does it work?

If you give them fresh blood then they always want more.

Now, a week ago you told me this wasn't important.

-A week ago it wasn't!

-Well!

Jesus! Everything I do I do for my country.

Oh, and that makes it all right?

What did you say?

Nothing.

-Stirling, are you going weak on me?

-No.

-Are you going soft?

-No.

I'm the only person who takes this threat seriously.

-I take it seriously.

-If you saw the files, if you saw the evidence,

I can't show you the stuff that I am seeing,

but the intelligence is frightening, it is!

And people have a choice - help me, or help them.

And now we're being told, keep our hands tied behind our backs

while they kick our lights out!

"Stick to the rules."

Bring on the lawyers, is that what you want?

No. What I want is for you to survive.

I want you to be Prime Minister at this time next week.

That's what I want.

No, they won't get me. I'm ahead of them.

Always have been. Always will be.

I'm sorry, sir. You really are needed.

That's the whole point, do you see? They want both things.

Like children. They need me and they resent me. Both things.

Before you do anything, speak to me first.

Ted...

TV: 'The situation is quiet clear, everyone knows what's going on.

'For days now, the Prime Minister has been evading our questions.

'We have to conclude he is not answering because he can't.

'There are five questions we have asked the Prime Minister

'that he has to answer.

'If he can't answer them, he should say so, and he should say so now.

'If he can and there is a simple explanation,

'then no-one is going to be happier than The Independent.'

DOOR OPENS

So...what do you think?

-He's wounded.

-Fatally?

-Have you seen the five questions?

-I have.

"Has the Prime Minister met with Church and Bethwaite?

"Did the Prime Minister know the murdered man?

"Did the Prime Minister know of their donations to the Bridge?

"Was the Prime Minister aware of a network of

"illegal detention centres built by Gladstone?

"Has the Prime Minister benefited personally from Gladstone?"

They're not bad questions.

Has he said anything? In private? In cabinet?

He's refusing, on the grounds of national security.

-Ha! It's not going to wash.

-Are you sure?

Certain. I've known from the start.

From the minute I first saw the evidence.

Hm. I am going to have to rally round him. Publicly.

-If you feel it's necessary.

-I do. Very much so.

-Be careful.

-Careful of what?

-Your own future.

-Meaning?

Hostages to fortune. How everything will look in a week.

How's Bill?

He's fine.

You're not going to divorce?

I'm not. Not yet.

Good. You shouldn't.

I won't.

Good.

Why do you ask?

What's that phrase about getting your ducks in a row?

I-I'll take one more question.

I hope I have already made everything clear.

I have returned all money received from Gladstone and I have personally

resigned from the foundation to leave its reputation unharmed.

At all times, Alec Beasley has been separated from the day-to-day

-activities...

-No.

-..of The Bridge

and any criticism regarding funding falls on me alone.

He shouldn't have done it. He didn't need to.

He said he was going to talk to me first.

Perhaps he found the pressure unbearable.

Pressure? Pressure is like whiplash, it doesn't exist.

'I'm not in any way admitting liability or even error.

'I want to be clear about that. On the other hand...'

I've made my decision.

We still need to find Worricker.

Until we find him, we're not out of this yet.

CLOCK TICKS

It's eerie.

It's quiet, yes.

-Can we turn on the news?

-We heard it an hour ago.

So?

I wouldn't do that.

-Why not?

-It's the road to destruction.

-Gosh.

-Hm.

You always look out for me.

Always.

-Where's Bernard?

-He's saying Matins.

Oh, no doubt alone.

He doesn't mind. He's talking to God.

He doesn't care if anyone's listening.

Why are you smiling?

I know you better than anyone knows you, Johnny.

I know where you're heading. I can see your endgame.

PHONE RINGS

Rollo?

-He's gone.

-Who's gone?

-Stirling Rogers.

-Rogers has gone. What happened?

He's giving a press conference, saying the whole thing's his fault.

Better still, he's saying the Prime Minister knew nothing.

-Yes!

-He's walking into the trap, it appears.

-You trust it? You think we've got him?

-Let's hope so.

PHONE CHIMES

-Margot, don't touch it! I've got to go.

-Why not?

-You don't know who it's from.

-It's Julianne.

-It's not safe, leave it, we should have destroyed it!

-Margot?

-Yes, it's me.

'I need to see you. Desperately. Are you in the country? Something terrible's happened.'

-Julianne, is the baby all right?

-'Yes, yes, but can you tell Dad'

-I need to see him?

-Yes, of course I will.

And he must call immediately before you get here. Promise me.

Don't worry. We're on our way. See you soon.

HUBBUB

OK, we're in business, it's good, I think we've got 'em.

-Where are they?

-We've got a signal.

I'll know more in a minute but it seems to be Kent.

Johnny, we have to go. Julianne says it's serious...

-Hold on a minute, give me a time to think...

-There is no time to think.

She said, "Can you tell Dad I need to see him?"

-Margot, we need to be careful.

-Johnny, it's your daughter!

I'm concerned that the phone isn't safe!

-Oh, fuck the phone!

-We can't go together!

What difference does it make? When Julianne calls, you go. Do you have a problem with that?

How long have you been working on this?

Four months.

-Just the four(?)

-Exactly.

OK, good, here we go. Here is the location.

Let's get going.

-I vehemently reject all allegations.

-But, I don't understand,

if you're innocent of everything, why do you have to resign?

LAUGHTER

-Yep.

-Finally we've got them. Again.

-Where are they?

-He's in a rectory in Kent.

But he's coming into town to see his daughter.

-Then please baby them in.

-I'm sorry?

I don't want anyone moving towards them.

I've been working on this for months.

-I know.

-I thought the idea was we were meant to be trying to catch them.

We are. But don't detain them. Keep them under surveillance.

Keep your distance. That's an order.

Nobody's to go near them until they get an order from me.

I don't believe this.

If there was any offence, it's just from caring too much.

-Julianne...

-Margot.

-You were right. You were right to call us...

-It's Jez.

-Jez?

-Yes.

-How do you know?

-I've suspected for weeks.

-Well then, why didn't you tell me?

Why didn't I tell you? Why do you think?

Because you never ring!

And also, sorry, I don't want to live like that.

Being suspicious of everyone.

Jesus! Do I ever get a life that's not about you?

"What does your father do?"

"Oh, I can't say, he's in the civil service."

As long as I can remember - "What's Dad doing?" "Don't know.

-"Can't say." You ruined mum's life.

-That's ridiculous!

You ruin the life of everyone you're close to.

I was in love with him! You've never known what that means.

Human drama.

She doesn't seem happy.

-He did really work as a DJ?

-Yes.

He did really play in the evenings?

Yes. Everything else was a lie.

-Like he said he'd be here for the birth...

-Julianne...

Which he won't. And never had any intention of being.

-OK.

-Right from the start!

-Julianne...

-Just leave me.

Please...

Every time she moves she gets closer to us.

Can you hear anything?

-No.

-Lip-read.

Don't come near me! Don't touch me!

"And then when she's calm, I'll have dealt with her."

That's not fair.

Why don't you just say, "Julianne, I'm sorry, this is my fault?"

-Julianne, I know it's my fault!

-Good!

-Why do you think I'm in agony?!

-Oh!

Oh, you're in agony? Oh, really?

Great. And for how long?

He's standing there. Why can't we move in?

Can anyone tell me what's going on?

-Yeah?

-Where are you?

I'm in London. I can't explain. It's a mess.

Sorry, comrade, but we need to jump five stages.

-I've just had a very interesting call.

-Who from?

I'll give you a number.

You need to call it because he's ahead of us. He's nine miles ahead.

Is this who I think it is?

10 Downing Street.

'My name is Worricker. I think you'll find, if you tell him,

'the Prime Minister will want to have a word with me.'

-What name again?

-'Johnny Worricker.'

Hold on, will you please?

Mr Finch, there's a man on the line called Johnny Worricker...

Yes, thank you, please put him through.

'Hello, who am I speaking to?'

Is that you, Mr Worricker?

-Yes.

-'Good.'

'I'm sure the Prime Minister would like you to come in immediately.'

-Come in?

-To Downing Street.

-'Good.'

-Are you far away?

Not at all. Less than a minute.

But just one thing. Could you come in the back?

My name is Johnny Worricker, I'm expected.

OK, sir.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Ah...here you are at last.

Prime Minister.

The missing piece of the jigsaw.

You can leave us.

-How was your spell as an emigre?

-Disconcerting.

I'm sure. I needed to see you one more time.

-Me too.

-Please...

We had a good talk in Cambridge six months ago.

But then you went off and did the very opposite of what I asked.

-You defied me.

-Sir, if I may...

Carry on.

I accept in the circumstances that I'm fair game. Of course.

But my daughter's flat is being bugged.

An M15 operative seduced her when she was already pregnant.

My daughter isn't fair game. Go after me, don't go after her.

-I agree.

-I'm sorry...?

You're right. Mutual hysteria.

Isn't it time it was defused?

I'll tell you what I've been thinking -

I've accomplished pretty much all I set out to do.

We've modernised the country and we may even

have alerted its people to some of the dangers they face.

I don't understand. Are you resigning?

You're not getting my scalp, if that's what you hope.

I'm not moving out, I'm moving up.

It's Iran we have to deal with now.

And I'm not fussy about what platform I work from.

Perhaps a sympathetic American president means more to me

than an ambivalent British electorate.

You're planning to move on to another job?

-Correct.

-What job is that?

Consul General to Iran. I run the peace talks.

-Peace?

-Well...preferably peace.

Answering to whom?

Financed by the Americans, but given cover by the UN.

Forgive me, I'm not sure you're going to be able

to cut free as easily as that.

-Aren't you?

-No.

-Is that a threat?

-Not at all.

Tell me, are you running a campaign?

Because that's how it looks.

A single intelligence officer determined to stop me.

What are you?

A loose cannon?

A traitor?

Well, then, what are you doing?

-Judiciously pointing out the dangers.

-Such as?

-There's a new boss at the CIA.

-Yes, you're right.

With new plans. Wants to make a clean break.

The president's already had a word with him.

I think you'll find any future CIA investigation

into private contractors will get bogged down pretty quickly.

People don't like investigating each other,

because they are aware that later they may be investigated themselves.

If you talk to the President,

you'll find he's pretty clear on the subject.

After all, one day he's going to be an ex-President too.

-And here?

-Here?

-Yes.

-In the UK?

You don't think you face problems here?

I don't see any.

My favoured successor is hardly likely to waste her first

hundred days digging too deeply into the financial affairs of the Bridge.

To what end? Anthea's experiencing a period of personal good fortune.

Maybe you read about it?

When it comes to sleeping dogs,

Anthea's the kind who'll let them lie.

What is it they say? "The Establishment always wins."

You should know that.

You're a distinguished member of the Establishment yourself.

What did you think we were going to do?

Bleach you?

We don't bleach people in England.

No home. No bank account.

No security. No way of life, 100% surveillance.

You know the drill.

You've done it to others, now we'll do it to you.

-What are you offering?

-Good question.

An amnesty?

Johnny...

..in the last few years, the government moved at a certain speed

because we faced an overwhelming threat.

This is the real world.

There's always a tension between aims and means.

Maybe even a contradiction.

I'll live with that. The question is, can you?

We need your silence.

I'm to be silent about lawlessness?

Permanently and guaranteed. You've got to think what that means.

I've thought about it a great deal.

You make a deal, you go back on it.

In my world, you only do that once.

Now, if you'll forgive me, I have to go to the Palace.

I'd offer you a lift but you might be conspicuous.

Anyway, I imagine you have to report to that crapulous Scot in the park.

-I don't report to him.

-No?

-You say you'd like your daughter left alone.

-I would.

And your girlfriend too, I should think.

She's a very interesting woman, isn't she?

This one really is something more than run of the mill.

You're a lucky man, aren't you?

You never seem to suffer for your mistakes.

What a gift.

We're both cats who fall on our feet. Ted!

Mr Worricker's leaving. We won't be seeing him again.

So, what's happening?

-He's quitting.

-Quitting?

He moves on to Iran. Promotion.

Promotion - is that what he's calling it?

This doesn't feel like a victory. Why does it not feel like a victory?

Obvious. Because I don't think we've ever been in control.

-You're to call Jill Tankard. She wants to see you.

-Where?

-Wherever you say.

-She knows I'm with you?

-Seems to.

Well, yeah, of course. That fits. We've been used.

-All the time they've known everything.

-Are you going to go?

I don't know. I'm trying to get hold of Julianne. She not answering. Fuck!

-I'm trying Margot.

-I left them together.

Shit!

-Johnny?

-Yes?

If you do see Jill, could you do me a favour?

Try and get me back in.

Welcome back.

I heard you had a nice time with Alec.

-Jill.

-It's a shame you two never got close.

They always say it's difficult if two men are too alike.

One of those boys' love-hate things, is it?

It's happening. Now. Even as we speak.

-What is?

-He's seeing the Queen. You must be pleased.

-Why?

-Well, wasn't it your idea to bring him down?

It's interesting you should say that.

As a matter of fact, Jill, I rather thought it was yours.

Ah, Mr Worricker we haven't seen you for such a long time.

I've missed you too.

We still have a bottle of scotch in the back.

Do you mind fetching it?

I tell you, I had my suspicions for quite a long time.

-Really?

-I noticed things were strangely easy.

As if our paths were being smoothed.

I mean, the choice of Amber Page...

What about her?

Never our most brilliant agent, was she?

-She did the job.

-Yeah, badly.

Amber did her best.

Yes. That's what I mean.

-And that business in Kiev...

-Kiev, yes.

..had your fingerprints all over it.