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00:00An emergency cabinet meeting. Always sends a nice little thrill of anticipation down
00:12the spine. Someone's in trouble. Someone's going to get it in the neck. But not us, eh?
00:27I'm going to read you a short statement which I shall be issuing later today. I must ask
00:47all of you, on your oaths of office, not to reveal the contents of this message to anyone
00:52before it is officially released. Thank you. Recently there has been a spate of allegations
01:02in the media about my business affairs and those of my family. I have consistently stated,
01:08and do so again, that I have done nothing of which I should be ashamed. The implied
01:13allegation against me is one of the most serious kind for any holder of public office, that
01:19I have used confidential information available to me to enrich my family. I have asked the
01:26Cabinet Secretary to undertake a formal, independent investigation, which I am confident will establish
01:33my complete innocence beyond any shadow of a doubt. In the meantime, the integrity of
01:40the office of Prime Minister has been brought into question, and it is my first duty to
01:46protect the integrity of that office. Therefore, I will today ask the permission of Her Majesty
01:54the Queen to relinquish the office of Prime Minister as soon as a successor can be chosen.
02:05Thank you for your patience. I should also like to take this opportunity of thanking you for your
02:13friendship and your loyalty during this difficult time. Those of you, that is,
02:19who feel those words apply to you. Francis, I should like to thank you in particular for your
02:26valiant efforts over the past week. Only you and I know how much I owe you. I'm only sorry
02:33the odds against us were too heavy. Prime Minister.
02:36Thank you. That's all.
02:49Heartwarming, isn't it, to know one's efforts are appreciated,
02:52and they have, after all, been considerable, if not, perhaps, entirely valiant.
02:57Not feeling guilty, I hope? If you have pangs of pity, crush them now. Grind them under your heel
03:03like old cigar butts. I've done the country a favour. He didn't have the brain or the heart
03:11or the stomach to rule a country like Great Britain. A nice enough man, but there was no
03:16bottomment of him. His deepest need was that people should like him. An admirable trait, that,
03:23in a Spaniel or a whore. Not, I think, in a Prime Minister. And we've done him a favour, too,
03:32if you did but know it. He was in the trap and screaming from the moment he took office.
03:38We've simply put the poor bastard out of his agony. After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well.
03:46After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well. So let's not indulge ourselves in any squeamishness.
03:58All right? Because this is just the start.
04:06You saw them. You saw their eyes, a glitter round the table. Samuels, Woolton, Harold L, Mackenzie.
04:16And every one of them will have to understand that I have their measure,
04:20that I put the stick about. I watch them jump. You'll have to excuse me now. I have to make a
04:28phone call. One does feel that poor old Hal deserves a proper send-off.
04:46So
05:11number 10 Downing Street and just a few seconds ago Prime Minister Collingridge left here heading
05:15in the direction of Buckingham Palace where, according to unconfirmed reports from usually
05:20reliable sources, he's about to tender his resignation to Her Majesty the Queen,
05:24having held the post for the shortest period of time of any Prime Minister this century.
05:30This is Prestatyn Powell, 10 Downing Street, returning you.
05:34Urquhart. Ah, yes, Mattie, I had a feeling you might telephone.
05:41Well, let's wait for the official statement, shall we? Come to the house at six.
05:48Yes, Mattie, my private house. We won't be disturbed there.
05:51All right, thanks. I'll see you then. Goodbye.
05:55Mattie!
05:58What? Coming through.
06:04Recently, there's been a spate of allegations, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I have asked the
06:07Cabinet Secretary to undertake a formal independent investigation, which I'm confident will establish
06:10my complete innocence beyond any shadow of a doubt. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Integrity
06:16of the office. Yes, he is going. It's official. Not running away from the allegations.
06:21Integrity of the office. Yes, he is going. It's official.
06:25Not running away from the allegations. Bollocks. He must have done it. The silly bugger.
06:29I don't see that necessarily means he's guilty. Well, what else?
06:32He could have been framed. Framed? Framed? Oh, grow up, Mattie.
06:37The truth is that everyone is sillier than you could possibly imagine they'd be. What a dickhead.
06:42Why didn't he get an advance on his autobiography if he wanted to give his brother ten grand?
06:46Well, quite exactly. What the hell is going on here?
06:49Have you got anyone in Downing Street? No point, Greg. He's in the country.
06:52Well, Chequers, then? No, not Chequers. Undisclosed address.
06:55Sod it.
07:08You told him nothing of the scandal? Nothing. He wasn't exactly in the state
07:11to be telling us. Yes. Unfortunately,
07:12he saw the news today on television, and I told you on the phone he's extremely distressed.
07:18Suicidally distressed. He hasn't tried to...
07:20He couldn't. We keep a very close eye on our patients, but he's talked about it.
07:24He thinks he's responsible, you see. You know he has alcoholic blackouts.
07:29Dear God, you can't commit a fraud in alcoholic blackout.
07:32I have no idea how he committed the fraud. What the hell are you implying?
07:36Nothing, Prime Minister. We see all sorts here. I make no moral judgments.
07:40I try to make people well. Your brother, as I say, is very distressed.
07:44So, if you are in a position to reassure him... Just show me where he is.
07:49In here.
08:14Charlie. What?
08:18Hell.
08:21Oh, hell.
08:24What's going to happen to us? Are we going to go to prison?
08:29Listen, I'll tell them that it was all my fault.
08:33It wasn't your fault, Charlie. It was my fault.
08:36We'll work it out. Don't worry.
08:38I've cocked everything up for you, Hal.
08:41I'm bloody glad it's over. I just...
08:47I'm just so bloody glad I don't have to fight those bastards anymore.
08:55Can I trust you, Mattie?
08:56You know you can.
08:57Yes, I think I do know. I've changed my mind, Mattie.
09:02Because I'm not going to let you go.
09:05I've changed my mind, Mattie.
09:08Between you and me, I think he must be guilty.
09:10Not just the evidence. He gave in so easily.
09:14We were ready to defend him to the last ditch. He just gave in.
09:18Will there be criminal charges?
09:20I doubt it. No one wants to hound the man into his grave.
09:24I think an investigation will find there's not enough to justify prosecution.
09:28Let the poor man crawl away and lick his wounds.
09:32Away from prying eyes.
09:34I take it that's not to be attributed to you.
09:37Everything we say tonight is unattributable, Mattie.
09:40Completely confidential.
09:41Not even to be whispered as a secret to your favourite lover.
09:46I don't have a lover.
09:48Well, good.
09:53My editor wants me to find out about the frontrunners in the race for the succession.
09:57Ah, I'm sure you could tell me who they are.
10:00Michael Samuels, Patrick Walton, Harold Earle, Peter McKenzie.
10:03Very good, Mattie.
10:04You know you could run rings round any of them.
10:07Do I? You're not trying to tempt me, are you?
10:11Yes, I think I am.
10:13You're the only senior politician I have any respect for.
10:18If you do run, I'd do anything I could to help you.
10:21Would you, Mattie?
10:22I think you know that.
10:25I think you know I'd like to do anything you ask me to.
10:28Hardly the words of an independent young woman, Mattie.
10:31Oh, but they are.
10:33I'm not anyone's toy.
10:35I don't get chosen, I choose.
10:37And I'm not interested in anyone's taboos about age.
10:40I wanted you the first time I met you.
10:59My wife went down to the country.
11:02This afternoon.
11:04Yes.
11:06I have an engagement at nine.
11:08I can't cancel it.
11:11I don't mind.
11:12It's only seven now.
11:13I'm seeing someone myself later.
11:15You will never be able to speak of this to anyone.
11:18Why should I?
11:20I don't want to.
11:23It's nothing to do with anyone else.
11:26Mattie.
11:35I don't know what to call you.
11:38There's nothing I can call you.
11:39You can call me Francis.
11:41That's just it, I can't.
11:43I don't think of you as Francis.
11:44It's so stupid.
11:46Well, you can hardly call me Chief Whip.
11:51I want to call you Daddy.
11:52What?
11:55I want to call you Daddy.
12:15See him again, sir?
12:16Might as well.
12:18Um, more poppadums?
12:20No, thank you.
12:22No, I'll order.
12:24Let me see.
12:26Um, butter chicken,
12:29saag bhaji,
12:31cucumber raita,
12:33elbow the fried rice,
12:34and adanaan.
12:35Brilliant, how did you get?
12:37Easy.
12:37You always order the same bloody thing.
12:40Um, maybe you'd like some different music.
12:42I've got Joe Cocker.
12:51Oh no.
12:52Definitely not.
12:53There are some things a gentleman never discusses.
12:56Quick as you can, please, driver.
12:57I'm running rather late.
13:22Testing, testing, one two, one two.
13:46Thursday, October 21st, 6.30,
13:49on my way to see Deep Throat.
13:53Um, hello, this is Maddy Storrin.
13:54Um, is Mr. John Kraevski there, please?
13:58Yes, the butter chicken man.
14:01Oh, right.
14:02Thank you very much.
14:03Goodbye.
14:22Can I trust you, Maddy?
14:43You know you can.
14:44Yes, I think I do know.
14:47Yes, come on, come on.
15:00In China, I understand,
15:01it's cursed to live in interesting times.
15:03Is that so?
15:03Well, I guess Collingridge would drink to that, eh?
15:07What an asshole.
15:09Not much fight left in this guy.
15:10Bring us another bottle, will you?
15:13You all right?
15:13You got what you wanted?
15:14Absolutely, Ben.
15:16Doesn't look much to me.
15:19Now, Francis, what I want to know is,
15:25are you gonna stand for the leadership?
15:27Ben, Ben, it's far too soon to say.
15:29The situation's very delicate,
15:30and if we could just keep our voices down a little.
15:32All right, all right.
15:34Let me put it this way.
15:36Do you want it?
15:37Yes, I do.
15:38That's good.
15:38I also know I'm the best man for the job.
15:41You sure as shit better be.
15:43Right, Saturday in the Chronicle,
15:44we're doing a big feature on the probable runners.
15:47Got a girl called Maddie Starin doing it.
15:49Clever little kid.
15:50Do you know her at all, Francis?
15:52I think so.
15:53Yes, yes, of course I do.
15:56She tried to mug me in the bar at the Grand Hotel in Brighton.
15:59I gave her something to cry about.
16:00Anyway, what this piece is gonna say,
16:02whether Miss Starin likes it or not,
16:04is that little Mikey Sanders has taken an early lead in the polls,
16:08and he's running around telling the world
16:10he's got the whole thing sewing up.
16:12How do you know he's taken an early lead?
16:14I don't know whether he has or not.
16:16I'm just telling you what we're putting in the paper.
16:19Now, do you think that'll irritate the shit out of people or what?
16:22Yes, Ben, I think it would.
16:25My colleagues would react very badly to that kind of arrogance.
16:28Yeah, because you need a better time, my friend.
16:30We've got to build you up.
16:32Backbenchers may think you're a great guy,
16:34but they're not going to go back to the sticks
16:36and vote for Mr. Francis.
16:37Nobody from nowhere, am I right?
16:40Yes, you are.
16:42Anything you can do to slow things down a bit?
16:45Well, Humphrey Newlands will run the election,
16:48but he's very dependent on my advice,
16:50and the timing of the ballots is in the hands of the prime minister.
16:53And he's taking your advice at this time, is what I hear.
16:55If only he'd consulted me earlier, I would have been able to help him.
16:58I know, I know.
17:00Tragic, right?
17:02Now, listen to me, Francis.
17:05I'll be straight with you.
17:07You're my man, but I could do business with Patrick Wilton.
17:11I know I could.
17:12Pat Wilton as PM would not be a bad result for Ben Landless.
17:16Now, if you can't make it up with the leaders by, say, this time next month,
17:21I'll dump you.
17:23But if you can come good with a late run,
17:25I'll put the whole Ben Landless operation behind you, boy.
17:29And I'll expect your lifelong goddamn gratitude.
17:34Do I make myself clear?
17:38Eminently clear, Ben.
17:42Hi.
17:55Morning.
17:56Read your piece? Looks good.
17:57Grab's got it now.
17:58What time did you send it?
17:59Two this morning.
18:01Oh, sorry, John.
18:03It's all right.
18:05Had time to do some thinking.
18:08Me too.
18:09I was silly, John, calling Rich framed.
18:12And anyway, who cares?
18:13Yesterday's man.
18:14It's history now.
18:16I gather they're not going to take the investigation awfully seriously,
18:18going easy on him.
18:20Tories can be quite humane sometimes.
18:22It's amazing.
18:22What?
18:23They're going easy on the investigation.
18:25Doesn't that seem strange to you?
18:26Oh, come on, John.
18:27I'm the one with the conspiracy theory and the paranoid politics, not you.
18:30Now, think about it.
18:32Henry Collingridge had the means, but not the motive.
18:35Charlie had the motive,
18:37but he didn't have the wit to play any part at all in a fraud.
18:40And if you were doing it, would you use your own name?
18:44You've met Charlie Collingridge, haven't you?
18:47I had a few drinks with him at Brighton.
18:49What was he like?
18:51Very nice, actually.
18:53I thought he was rather sweet.
18:54Do you think he'd talk to you now?
18:56I don't know.
18:58Anyway, we don't know where he is.
18:59Oh, yes, we do, actually.
19:03Recognize anyone there?
19:06Well, um, Charles Collingridge, obviously Mrs. Collingridge.
19:09Um, wait a minute.
19:12Tim Stamper, MP for Shotover, hard right.
19:15One of the government whips.
19:16What about him?
19:19No idea.
19:21Here he is again.
19:24And again.
19:27And again.
19:30His name is Dr. Andrew Christian,
19:32and he runs a private clinic not far from Dover.
19:35Very flash place, apparently.
19:37They get royalty, rock stars,
19:39very good trade from both houses of Parliament.
19:42So, fancy a trip to Kent?
20:07Oh, yes, I know.
20:15Very irritating still to be waiting on yesterday's man.
20:19But even a disgraced Prime Minister has his uses.
20:23So it becomes us to be humble and honest,
20:26good old Francis Urquhart still.
20:28Doggily devoted.
20:32Such a comfort in a crisis.
20:38The Prime Minister will see you now, Mr. Urquhart.
20:44Thank you.
20:53Francis.
20:54Prime Minister.
20:55My dear fellow, do sit down.
20:58Now tell me, is it true what I read in the newspapers?
21:00What, Prime Minister?
21:01That Samuels and Billsborough are dancing in my grave already?
21:04That would be, to put it most unkindly,
21:07Samuels hasn't even declared his candidacy yet,
21:09no one has, but he has a head start.
21:11If it's a short race, he must be an odds-on favourite.
21:14Then let's make sure it's a long race.
21:17Now, Francis, that man Billsborough
21:19betrayed my trust in every way,
21:21and now he wants to deny the party a free and fair election.
21:24That's a little strongly put,
21:25but it does rather look as though
21:27Teddy still wants to pull the strings.
21:29A little delay would give us a chance
21:31for sober and mature reflection, yes.
21:34Slow the pace down.
21:35Enjoy your last few weeks in office.
21:37You deserve it.
21:38You owe it to yourself, Prime Minister.
21:40Are you thinking of offering yourself as a candidate, Francis?
21:42What, me?
21:43Oh, no, no, no.
21:44No, I'm just a backroom boy.
21:47Don't underestimate yourself.
21:50I've come to think very highly of you.
21:53So highly that if you did stand,
21:57you'd have my personal support.
21:59Well, that touches me more than I can say.
22:03But no, I really can't see myself
22:06as a candidate for the highest office.
22:09Each to his own, you know.
22:11I know my place.
23:03So...
23:26Excuse me.
23:28You're not by any chance a member of staff, are you?
23:31No, I'm...
23:32Just visiting, like me.
23:33So sorry.
23:34I seem to have lost my wife.
23:37You haven't seen anyone around
23:38who looks as if she might be the wife of a chap like me, have you?
23:41No, I'm afraid not.
23:43I'm looking for my uncle.
23:44Over there, I expect.
23:46That's where the uncles congregate.
23:48They're all perverts, of course.
23:51Nonsense to a man.
23:52Every last one of them.
23:54Good afternoon to you, my dear.
23:59Filth.
24:01Filth.
24:02Filth.
24:13You and me together.
24:16Total blank.
24:19Was I, um...
24:21All right?
24:22Did I sort of behave?
24:26Yes, you were charming.
24:28Not too bad today.
24:30A bit shaky.
24:30Haven't had a drink, you see.
24:32Oh, it's all right.
24:33But time does pass very slowly.
24:36When you're drunk, you're never bored.
24:39Did you know that?
24:39You may bore other people, but...
24:42The moments slip by in such a satisfactory manner.
24:50I don't really see how I could have bought any shares.
24:54I haven't got enough money, for one thing.
24:57Your brother might have given you the money.
25:00Did give me money.
25:01Does?
25:02He gave you the money.
25:04He gave you the money to buy the shares.
25:07No, not that sort of money, no.
25:09No, he gives me £50 when I'm short sometimes £100.
25:13Best brother in the world, Hal.
25:16Enough said.
25:17End of story.
25:19Have you ever bought any shares at all?
25:22Good lord, no.
25:23No, I leave that to the clever chaps.
25:25If I've ever done any gambling, it's been on the GGs.
25:27I'm not much cop at that.
25:29No, there's not too much going on up here, Mattie.
25:35That's the trouble.
25:38What about the accommodation address at Paddington?
25:40What was that for?
25:42You tell me.
25:42I don't go to Paddington.
25:44Isn't that where the Welsh people go to catch trains?
25:48Yes, it is.
25:49And the accommodation address was to receive
25:52communications from the Ottoman Union Bank
25:55and to receive party literature from the Conservative Central Office.
25:59Party literature?
26:01Do you mean people send for it, people pay for it?
26:05Apparently.
26:08Apparently you did.
26:09Well, what would I want party literature for?
26:12I don't know.
26:12Very boring stuff.
26:14Strictly between you and I.
26:15Now, don't you tell Hal I said that.
26:19I wouldn't offend him for the world.
26:25Hello.
26:27Hello.
26:28I do remember you now.
26:31We met in the...
26:34in the Bar of the Grand and I said you looked like Kate.
26:39That's right, your daughter.
26:40Yes, probably went on a bit about her.
26:43Normally do go on about Kate when I'm pissed.
26:46Lovely girl.
26:47I haven't been a very good dad to her,
26:50but do you suppose that she'd come and visit me here one day?
26:55I do miss her.
26:58I would if it was me.
27:01Would you?
27:13Yes, thank you.
27:14No, no, no, I'm very grateful.
27:16Goodbye.
27:34Come on, come on.
27:36Ah, Roger, Francis Urquhart.
27:39Sorry to disturb you at home.
27:40Ah, Roger, Francis Urquhart.
27:42Sorry to disturb you at home.
27:44I hope it's not inconvenient.
27:46No, good of you to call, Francis.
27:50Actually, I was asleep.
27:52Had a late night.
27:53I took a pill.
27:56What?
28:00Oh, no.
28:03No, no, I don't do that sort of thing.
28:04That's not my line at all.
28:41John, Matty, yes.
28:49Found the place, found Collingridge.
28:52John, either he's the best actor in the world
28:54or he knows nothing about the shares.
28:57Yes.
28:59Hold on a minute.
29:00I think there's something funny happening outside.
29:10Missy?
29:41What?
29:59God.
30:00Hey, it's over now.
30:02They've gone.
30:05Have a bit more of this.
30:09Sorry.
30:11Our fearless reporter.
30:16I'm not fearless, John.
30:17I don't like this.
30:23I had this book when I was a kid at school.
30:26Kirsty McAllister, crime reporter.
30:30When the baddies threatened Kirsty,
30:32it made her all the more determined
30:33to find out the dreadful truth.
30:37I thought she was great.
30:39Kirsty McAllister with her flatties
30:41and her boyish curls
30:42and her little ring-bound notebook.
30:47I thought I'd be just like her.
30:51But I'm not.
30:53I'm not like her.
30:56I don't want my pretty face broken.
31:00I want to stop this game.
31:01Hey, you can.
31:05I think you should.
31:05I think you should.
31:09Really?
31:11I thought you were the big investigator.
31:13Up to a point, Lord Copper.
31:15I know how it feels, Mattie.
31:16I got personally threatened once
31:18when we were doing the arms thing.
31:20I was off solid food for six weeks,
31:22asked to be taken off the story.
31:24I don't know.
31:28Anyway, thanks for coming round, John.
31:31You're an angel.
31:33An angel.
31:35Did you know angels are reputed to have no sexual organs?
31:39Is that right?
31:41Totally smooth down there.
31:43Must solve a hell of a lot of problems.
31:46Yes.
31:50Sorry.
31:51You're a deadbeat, aren't you?
31:53Sorry.
31:55I must be past your bedtime too.
31:58You can go on home if you like.
31:59I'm okay now.
32:00Not a bit of it.
32:01I'm staying the night.
32:01There's no need to.
32:02Yes, I think there is.
32:04I can't.
32:05Offer you anywhere comfortable to sleep.
32:08Can't you?
32:09It was me you turned to when you needed help when you were frightened.
32:12Yes.
32:12Not him.
32:15Who?
32:16Well, whoever he is.
32:21Why is it me for this and him for the other thing?
32:23I'm sorry.
32:23It's none of my business.
32:24I'm sorry, Mattie.
32:30I wouldn't bother him with this.
32:33And he wouldn't be able to come.
32:36He isn't free to come.
32:37Too grand is he or what?
32:39Don't be like that, John.
32:42It wouldn't work with you.
32:46Sex, I mean.
32:48You're easy to be with.
32:52You're not dangerous.
32:56You're my best friend, John.
32:58I couldn't have it off with my best friend.
32:59It would be embarrassing.
33:02Sorry.
33:03Be honest, okay?
33:07Well, ask a silly question.
33:15Do you still want to stay?
33:17Do you still want me to?
33:18Yes, please.
33:20I don't want to be by myself tonight.
33:23Well, I will then.
33:25You can come on my bed if you like.
33:28Just...
33:29Just to be comfortable.
33:32That's right.
33:33Enough said.
33:38End of story.
33:41And the contest for the Tory leadership is now officially on.
33:45This morning, Michael Samuels,
33:46unofficially tipped as the front runner for some days,
33:49went on record at last.
33:51Yes, I'll be standing.
33:52With respect, Mr Samuels,
33:54don't you think you're rather young to be prime minister?
33:56Perhaps I am.
33:57I'll leave that to the judgment of my colleagues.
34:00I hope that what I lack in years
34:01might be balanced by energy and a freshness of ideas.
34:05In contrast to your predecessor, Henry Collingridge?
34:07No, I won't be drawn into that.
34:09Though I do find encouragement in remembering that Disraeli
34:12and Pitt were both younger than me
34:14when they first came into power.
34:16Disraeli, Pitt and Samuels.
34:19A chumped up little turd.
34:21Doesn't sound all that modest, does he?
34:23Poor fellow just doesn't do himself justice.
34:26We must match fine words with finer deeds.
34:30If we are not to fail our children and our children's children.
34:34Mr Earle's speech was widely interpreted
34:36as a coded attack on Michael Samuels,
34:38who is, of course, Minister for the Environment,
34:41and many observers are confidently expecting a speech
34:44from Mr Samuels about the shortcomings of state schools
34:47under Mr Earle's ministry.
34:50In sharp contrast to all this was the statesman-like attitude
34:53adopted by Francis Urquhart, the popular chief whip.
34:57What, me?
34:58Oh, no, no, no.
35:00I'm just a backroom boy.
35:02Plenty of able men about, after all.
35:04Plenty of ambitious men, too.
35:06No, we'll take our time about it
35:09and we'll come up with the right choice in the end.
35:13Fine.
35:14First class.
35:15Excellent.
35:17Let them cancel each other out, right?
35:19That did rather cross one's mind, I must confess.
35:22I shall have to do more than that
35:23once Pat Walton gets in the room.
35:24But I'd be proud to serve under Patrick Walton, Tim.
35:28I don't want to be prime minister.
35:30Bloody awful job.
35:31Oh, quite.
35:31Much nicer to be a whip.
35:33Know all the little secrets.
35:35Put some stick about, eh?
35:37Make them jump.
35:41Whip's office.
35:42Stamper here.
35:45Um, hold on, please.
35:48It's your little friend, Miss Stollen of the Chronicle.
35:52You want to take it?
35:54You called the police, of course.
35:55No.
35:55Why not?
35:56Because I was frightened to.
35:57They were trying to frighten me, whoever they were, and they did.
35:59Of course, forgive me.
36:01You must have been very upset.
36:02Yes, I was.
36:04But look, it must be a conspiracy against Collingridge and his brother, mustn't it?
36:09Yes, I believe now that it must be.
36:13Mattie, you trust me, don't you?
36:15You know I do.
36:16Will you leave this to me?
36:18I have access to sources of information
36:22and I couldn't bear to think of you being damaged in any way.
36:28Is Mrs. Urquhart in London at the moment?
36:32She's in the country, Mattie.
36:36I would be anxious about letting you go back to your flat alone tonight.
36:40Yes.
36:40I hope you wouldn't think it improper if I invited you to spend the night here.
36:46I don't bloody well care if it's improper or not.
36:50Mattie.
36:50What?
36:51I like the things you say.
37:12So hard to know who to trust in these suspicious days.
37:17Does passion engender trust?
37:20Not necessarily.
37:22And yet we all would wish to feed on certainties.
37:26To hear the word always and believe it true.
37:33She trusts me absolutely, I believe.
37:37I trust she does.
37:40And I, I trust her absolutely.
37:45To be absolutely human.
37:49You say you want to help him?
37:51Last time I talked to you, your paper attacked him.
37:54That wasn't anything to do with me.
37:55I think he's been framed through the computer system here.
37:58No, that's impossible.
37:59No one from outside can access it.
38:01How about from inside?
38:04Charles Collingridge is supposed to have ordered literature from central office
38:07and had it delivered to an address in Paddington, right?
38:10Yes, yes.
38:10I checked it as soon as I heard.
38:12It's there, all right.
38:12Look.
38:19Charles Collingridge, 216 Parade Street, Paddington, West 2.
38:23What do the numbers mean?
38:24The first one says he takes everything we put out.
38:26The second says he's fully paid up from the beginning of this year.
38:30Could that have been done by someone inside this building?
38:32No.
38:33Without making the payment?
38:34No, not from here.
38:36Hold on, let me check something else.
38:44Hmm.
38:45He's never paid for the literature, has he?
38:47He's never paid for the literature service.
38:50He's only on the distribution file, not on the payment file.
38:54Can you find out when he first appeared on the distribution file?
39:06Two weeks ago.
39:09After his brother resigned?
39:11When he was already in the clinic, so.
39:13So, somebody in this building?
39:18It would have to be.
39:20Made it look as if Charles Collingridge had been subscribing since January the 1st.
39:24Yes.
39:27Kevin.
39:28What?
39:29Don't talk to anyone about this.
39:31I wasn't about to.
39:33You're not going to print it!
39:35Why not?
39:36Because there's nothing there, Mattie.
39:39There's no hard evidence at all.
39:41What do you want?
39:43Look, someone altered the computer files at Central Office to link Charles Collingridge
39:48with the Prade Street address.
39:50They did that two weeks ago, Greville.
39:52It's there on the printout.
39:54And the same person must have opened the account at the Ottoman Union Bank
39:57in Charles Collingridge's name.
39:59That's easy.
40:00Anyone could have done that.
40:02But altering the computer files at Central Office after the share deal.
40:06That had to be someone right inside the party machine.
40:09Someone who wanted to get rid of Collingridge.
40:11Hal Collingridge could have done that himself.
40:14Confuse the evidence, muddy the waters.
40:16He's not computer literate enough to do a thing like that.
40:18This is an Oxford Arts man we're talking about.
40:21This is a man who can't use a cash card machine.
40:23So he got someone else to do it for him.
40:25He thought it worth his while to do that, even after he resigned.
40:30Mattie, get it into your head.
40:32There isn't a story here.
40:34It was a nice try, but you haven't even given me any names.
40:37You can't see what's in front of you.
40:39It's a sensational story.
40:41Mattie, I'm getting tired of being told how to do my job
40:43by the latest teenager from the sticks.
40:51Well, now's as good a time as any.
40:56I've been thinking about your next career move, Mattie.
40:59Oh?
41:00I'd like to see some new thinking in our cookery and home interior pages.
41:05What's bright and sparkly in the shops for her indoors, that sort of thing.
41:08Spot the latest trend in street smart network.
41:11You've been got at, haven't you?
41:14Was it landless again?
41:15Look, I've been told about your conspiracy theories.
41:20Life doesn't work out like that, Mattie.
41:22Especially political life.
41:24It's real and dull and earnest.
41:28Now, 20 things you never thought you could do with a wok.
41:31That's where an imagination like yours could really make its mark.
41:34No, thank you, Greville.
41:36I didn't come to London to write the woman's page.
41:39I don't think you understand, Mattie.
41:41You haven't any say in this.
41:43I'm taking you off the political staff.
41:45For your own good, as well as for the good of the paper.
41:48Fine.
41:49I'll resign and take this to another paper.
41:52Not for three months, you won't.
41:54Read your contract of employment.
41:57Look, I know you're bursting to resign.
42:00Be sensible.
42:02Wait until you've got another job to go to.
42:12Yes, I have been.
42:28It's all ready.
42:31This country needs a leader with maturity,
42:34with a sense of discretion,
42:36with a proven record of reliability.
42:39There is at least one senior figure in the party who has all these qualities,
42:44and in recent weeks has been almost unique in setting aside personal ambition
42:48in the cause of the dignity of government and the long-term interest of his party.
42:53He has announced that it is not his intention to seek election as leader of the party,
42:58but he still has time to reconsider before nominations close on Thursday.
43:02We believe it would be in the best interests of all concerned
43:07if the chief whip, Francis Urquhart, were to stand and be elected.
43:14Admirable.
43:33Ladies and gentlemen,
43:35I've read this morning's chronicle with quite a little bit of interest and surprise.
43:39As I think most of you know, I've always been happiest as a backroom boy,
43:42serving the government behind the scenes.
43:45However, it would be unpardonably arrogant of me
43:48to disregard the urgings of so many of my colleagues.
43:52This has all come as a great surprise to me.
43:55I hope you'll forgive me if I take a little time to consider my future course of action.
44:05And to talk this over with my wife Elizabeth.
44:07Her views will be the most important of all to me in making my decision.
44:11And I'm afraid that's all I have to say.
44:14Until tomorrow.
44:30Excellent.
44:30Thank you, my dear.
44:34Quite a little touch of Richard of Gloucester at Bainard's castle.
44:39Shine out, fair son.
44:41Should I have been discovered with two priests, do you think?
44:45Not with the state the Church of England's in today.
44:50Unpardonably arrogant to disregard the wishes of the public.
44:54That was good.
44:55Yes, I must confess I thought so too.
44:59For all that, you're still well behind Samuels and Wolton, are you not?
45:04So far, it's all in hand, Elizabeth.
45:06Good.
45:09I didn't see your little friend out there, the one from the Chronicle.
45:12No, I'm giving her a private audience tomorrow evening.
45:18I see.
45:19Can we trust her, Francis?
45:21Oh yes, I think we can.
45:31Hello.
45:32Hello, that's it, usual.
45:34Whiskey, please.
45:49How's it going?
45:49Not brilliant.
45:51It's too depressing to think about.
45:54I want to know what all this is about Francis Urquhart.
45:58God knows.
45:59Greb seems completely sincere.
46:01Utterly convinced that Urquhart should be the next Prime Minister.
46:04Presumably because Ben Landless has told him what to think.
46:07Do you think it's such a daft idea, voting for Urquhart?
46:10No, I happen to think he's very underrated.
46:14I think he makes a very potent contribution.
46:17And he might just slip through the middle.
46:19The man least disliked.
46:20The politician with no politics.
46:22Just a good chap to have about you in a tight spot, yeah?
46:25Yeah, the last of those, certainly.
46:28But why should Landless be backing an outsider?
46:30I don't know.
46:31You'd think that Patrick Wilton would give him all he wants.
46:34And Wilton's a frontrunner.
46:35Ben Landless is the kind of man who just likes power for its own sake.
46:40He supported Collingridge while it suited him,
46:41then he suddenly turned around and ditched him.
46:43Well, maybe he had an advance tip about the Mendox share scandal.
46:47Maybe he was involved in the Freyman.
46:49Maybe Urquhart was as well.
46:51No, not Urquhart.
46:52Why not? What makes you so sure?
46:53I just know, that's all.
46:55That sort of thing.
46:56That sort of thing, that wouldn't be him at all.
46:59Fine.
47:00Be careful, Mattie.
47:02I am careful.
47:03Whoever it was, they know you found Charles at the clinic.
47:05They may know you took the story to Gravel Preston.
47:08Whoever it was, they won't just be tasty villains, Mattie.
47:11These will be people with inside knowledge.
47:13People with friends in high places.
47:15I know.
47:16But if they've got all that inside information,
47:18they'll know I'm no danger anymore.
47:22Gravel's taken me off the story and I can't get another job.
47:25But anyway, maybe I've got friends in high places too.
47:29Mattie.
47:32All right, John.
47:33I will be careful.
47:39Mr. Granger, then.
47:42I see.
47:42And there's no one else from the press office available.
47:45All right, is there anyone else you could suggest?
47:49Um, the director of publicity, that's Mr. O'Neill, right?
47:52Yes, I met him at Brighton.
47:54Could you transfer me?
47:55Thanks.
48:03Director of publicity's office, this is Benny Guy speaking.
48:05How can I help you?
48:07Hello, my name's Mattie Storrin.
48:09Could I speak to Roger O'Neill, please?
48:12Sorry, who did you say?
48:14Mattie Storrin.
48:16I...
48:18I thought you were a man.
48:20Well, sorry.
48:21Could I speak to Roger O'Neill, then?
48:23No, he's not in this morning.
48:24He called in sick.
48:27Look, can you come over now?
48:28Um, yes, all right.
48:30I mean, if you think it's worth my while.
48:32I would rather speak to Mr. O'Neill in person.
48:34No, you wouldn't.
48:35Believe me.
48:38Look, do you mind if we meet outside,
48:40corner of Great Peter Street and Mill Bank?
48:42All right.
48:44See you then.
48:45Goodbye.
48:55Look, I had no idea you were a woman.
49:08Roger just said someone needed a short, sharp shark.
49:11Why should he do a thing like that?
49:12I don't know.
49:14I suppose he owed someone a favor.
49:18Look, you have to believe me, Mattie.
49:21Roger wouldn't hurt a fly.
49:23I thought he was the one who was going to get hurt.
49:25I only went to look after him.
49:28Do you believe me?
49:31I don't know.
49:36I'll pay for the damage to your car,
49:37and anything extra you think is fair for upsetting you.
49:42Honestly, he could never hurt a woman, not physically.
49:48Look, Mattie, I'll tell you how it is.
49:51The state he's in now, if you go to the police with this,
49:54he'd kill himself.
49:56I really believe that.
49:58Why is he in such a state?
50:01I think he blames himself about that share business.
50:04And that wasn't his fault at all.
50:06He idolized Henry Collingridge.
50:07He'd have done anything to help him.
50:10So why should he blame himself?
50:12Charles Collingridge wanted an address for his private mail.
50:15Roger and I fixed it up for him.
50:17And then it turns out that the old bugger was using it
50:20for his if he share deals as well.
50:22Roger thinks he's all to blame.
50:24So what with one thing and another, he's cracking up.
50:27It's like dealing with a baby.
50:29Why do you put up with him?
50:33I love him, don't I?
50:35She just blurted it all out and sort of threw herself on my mercy.
50:39She must have thought I recognized him the other night.
50:41I was just ringing O'Neill
50:42because the press office wouldn't speak to me.
50:43And you believed her?
50:44Yes, I did.
50:45The way she told it,
50:46neither of them thought they were doing anything terribly wrong.
50:48She certainly didn't.
50:49I felt sorry for her.
50:51She's obviously in love with him.
50:52And it was him she was worried for, not herself.
50:54She begged me not to go to the police.
50:56She said he'd kill himself.
50:58She made him sound a bit unstable, to say the least.
51:00Ah, yes.
51:01I do understand between the two of us
51:03that Mr. O'Neill has a small cocaine problem.
51:07What?
51:08As chief whip, it's one's business to get to know these things.
51:10Is it?
51:11So that one can move swiftly to help if necessary.
51:14It's much more common than one might think, sadly.
51:17Easy availability, a life of constant stimulus and pressure.
51:20And, of course, when you spend your time in Smith Square,
51:22the House of Commons and the clubs of Pall Mall,
51:24it's all too easy to fall into bad company, hmm?
51:27What should I do?
51:29Well, let's see.
51:30You now have firm evidence of a conspiracy.
51:34But you have no access to a newspaper which will print it.
51:37And you have a further problem.
51:39You'd like to save Penny Guy
51:40from criminal charges in connection with this, am I right?
51:42Yes.
51:43But about O'Neill, you're not so sure what to do, are you?
51:45I don't care all that much.
51:46What happens to him?
51:48But I would like to do something for her.
51:49It just doesn't seem possible, does it?
51:52Someone is clearly working, O'Neill.
51:55From what you've told me about his condition,
51:56I guess it wouldn't take much to get him to tell us who it is.
52:00When we know that, we'll be in a much better position to know what to do.
52:04Would you like me to have a word with him, Mattie?
52:07Would you?
52:07It might take a few days before he's ready to cooperate completely,
52:10but I believe he will.
52:13Would you be prepared to leave all that to me, Mattie?
52:16You know I would.
52:18You're the only person I could trust to do it.
52:20That was what you wanted all along, wasn't it?
52:24Yes, it was.
52:27Am I so transparent?
52:28Not at all.
52:29Very manipulative, I would say.
52:32You seem to be able to get me to do anything you like.
52:35Do I?
52:36So let me ask your advice.
52:39Should I accept the nomination and run for leader of the party?
52:43Yes, you should.
52:45Well, it seems I have no choice.
52:53Is Mrs. Urquhart in the country this evening?
52:56Not this evening, Mattie.
52:57Mrs. Urquhart is in town.
52:59And at home?
53:01And at home, Mattie.
53:04I wish she were in the country.
53:07And you do too, don't you?
53:11Don't you?
53:15You might well think that, Mattie.
53:18I couldn't possibly comment.