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Stop it! Alan, stop!

- Donald. Donald, are you all right? - Stop it! Stop, Alan!

Donald?

Do you want to turn your engine off?

- Do you have some identity? - Is there something wrong?

Where have you just come from, sir?

Would you mind telling me what this is all about?

Would you get out of the car?

Look, I'm an MP. I'm Alan Roxborough. What is this?

Now, sir.

- Do you know a Donald Toombs? - Um, no.

No, I don't think I do. Is he a constituent? I am in rather a hurry.

We'd like you to accompany us to the police station, sir.

What for? Are you arresting me?

- Have you done something wrong? - No, of course not.

Well, that's all right, then.

There's no difference.

Not that I can see, nor any the expert witness pointed out.

Thank you.

If a customer went into one of your client's many high-street shops

and stole a jumper, Mrs Channing, they'd rightly prosecute.

What your clients have done is tantamount to theft.

They went into this struggling young designer's shop,

purchased a set of her highly individual underwear

and then copied them for their own store label.

I'm therefore giving judgement in favour of the claimant.

With your leave, My Lord, the defendants seek permission to appeal.

No. The application is refused. They will pay indemnity costs.

These will be in the region of £100,000.

And aggravated damages of £300,000.

How surprising.

Yeah, what I would prefer, Mrs Channing,

is the directors of the company to pay this personally

- from their salaries and dividends. - My Lord, you cannot do that.

The directors are protected by limited liability.

Yes. What a pity.

And perhaps they should be prosecuted for theft.

What makes you so uneasy about the MP going for trial?

- The inconsistencies in the evidence. - Did you talk to the CPS?

I think there's a hidden agenda. Someone is pushing for the trial.

Like who? I thought Roxborough was on the side of the angels.

Well, it's not the angels who want him stopped.

Roxborough has been asking questions about unexplained deaths

in the armaments industry.

Now, it's causing embarrassment in certain government quarters.

Being charged with attempted murder could be connected.

I'm not sure we should be discussing this.

I could be hearing the case.

Well, I'd feel a lot easier if you were.

Coop, who's got the Alan Roxborough case?

Mr Justice Everard, Judge.

Mrs Mills phoned and asked if you were free at lunchtime.

I am. Did you tell her I was?

I left you four messages about coming with me to the Presider's party.

Not such a good idea, John.

The clerks in chambers have finally remembered that I'm still alive.

- They've found you some work? - Mmm.

Prosecuting the MP Alan Roxborough.

The CPS changed their mind and decided that I was the right lead after all.

Good.

Who's for the defence?

- Brian Cantwell. - Ah.

Row Colemore thought there might be something wrong with that case.

Did he say what?

Not really. You should talk to him yourself.

The evidence is straightforward. I've no doubt about his guilt.

Roxborough was having an affair with a young man who tried blackmailing him.

Roxborough was about to get a job in government.

So will you come with me to Legover's party?

I don't think I want to remind Mr Justice Everard

that we even know one another.

- How's it going with your therapist? - Good.

- I haven't propositioned her. - You must be coming down with something.

It seems to me to be increasing the problem.

I'd flog them. Flog them all.

Or are we to be held hostage to these guttersnipes?

It won't get him a promotion.

- Excuse me. Hi. - Of course.

I thought you were cross with me.

- No Little Miss Oxfam? - We're not an item, George.

Oh. Isn't your psychotherapy working?

Why don't I just put a notice in The Times?

I think Charlie already did.

I always knew you couldn't form real relationships.

You should talk to my therapist.

I think lover-boy is trying to get your attention.

Oh, he probably wants to be rescued. Have you met Sir Monty's wife?

She's terribly fierce.

She likes to join him on the bench for his more salacious cases.

I thought you were giving up your cabinet minister.

Well, it's a bit like smoking, John. The habit is hard to kick.

Perhaps you should see my therapist.

I thought I'd never get away. John, how's the therapy going?

I really am gonna have to have a word with Charlie.

Oh, half the cabinet's seen a psychotherapist at some point.

And the other half will.

I don't think psychics fall into the same category.

Were you setting Monty Everard straight on the Alan Roxborough trial?

Oh, his wife doesn't want him to hear it.

It's probably not juicy enough for her.

You surprise me there, Neil. Doesn't it reach the highest levels of government?

I doubt it. The evidence is clear-cut. He tried to kill his lover.

Was Roxborough getting a job?

He was being offered something in the Home Office.

He was told to clean up his personal life first.

- Is that relevant? - Might be if I were the prosecutor.

His sort prefer being on the outside taking potshots at those on the inside.

Perhaps it's good for his soul.

Someone has to make the difficult decisions for this country, John.

Yes. I suppose so.

Will you excuse me? There's a judge I want to talk to.

I'd like to talk some more about your feelings

at the time of your mother's death.

I'm not sure there's that much more to tell.

When she died, who did you turn to?

- No one. - Was your father around?

Yes.

He was probably in a worse state than I was.

Did the 10-year-old know that or did you work it out much later?

My father was very angry.

I think he blamed himself

and he shut himself off emotionally from my sister and me.

Who did you feel was to blame?

No one. She was depressed. She committed suicide.

Is that what you understand now or felt as that 10-year-old?

What about that little boy who's just lost his mother?

What happened to him?

- Life goes on, doesn't it? - Perhaps not always as it should.

Were you happy from that point?

Where did that little boy go?

Um, I remember

a cupboard under the stairs.

I used to go there with Mum during a thunderstorm, um...

Ha! Wow.

I can still smell her.

Vanilla.

Well, she was a baker's wife.

Did you often go back to that cupboard after she died?

I didn't ever want to come out.

You know I have a history with Monty Everard.

It is past history, Jo.

When did the case go into his list?

Was it before it was taken away from me or after it was given back to me?

Yes, I'm sorry about that mix-up. You were our first choice.

I hadn't realised you'd been approached

when the brief was sent to Newman Mason Allen.

- Well, I know you'll be rigorous. - If I'm convinced there's a case.

The DPP has taken a close interest.

Because of who's involved, he read the papers personally.

- Did he see all the evidence? - The case meets all the CPS tests.

We wouldn't want you going in to bat unless you're absolutely confident.

What's worrying you?

Would it offend if I brought sausage and bacon to the table?

Not half as much as it would the pig.

Well, one hardly relates it to the once-living animal.

Have you taken up the cause, Monty?

Well, I might if I had a daughter like yours pushing me.

Ah. Not always the direction I want to go in.

Well, I have a wife who's always telling me how good protein is for me.

Her family were farmers.

John, I know we haven't always been cooperative.

- I hope that can change. - I'm sure it can, Monty.

You have a murder case in your list.

It involves the rather nasty rape of a dead woman.

If you don't particularly want it, I wouldn't mind hearing it.

It's pretty gruesome, Monty.

Yeah, well, my wife wants to stay down for it.

She rather enjoys the more gruesome cases.

Does this mean the Alan Roxborough case is coming my way?

- Well, would you mind swapping? - Oh, no.

Jo Mills won't be very pleased. She's prosecuting.

Well, John, you did go to rather a lot of bother recently

to prove that you don't have a relationship with Mrs Mills.

Yes, I did, didn't I?

All right. Ask your clerk to send the papers over.

Do appreciate it.

- Is it true? You're hearing Roxborough? - Who?

Alan Roxborough, the MP.

Oh, Alan Roxborough. Never heard of him.

You didn't call me about it.

Well, I thought you were concerned to keep our relationship proper

when you were in front of me.

I am. I thought Legover was hearing it.

Not anymore. Pre-trial review's on Thursday.

Defence will try and knock it out, but, hey,

why don't you stay and have a match? We could have dinner afterwards.

I have no appetite for either.

The evidence is sound, Row.

My job is to prosecute Roxborough and secure a conviction.

Unless you're telling me there's a reason I shouldn't.

No, no. I'm not saying the police have done anything wrong.

Just make sure that you're across their evidence.

You're a policeman, Row. Why are you warning me?

Well, you get a hammering, the police do, too.

Would you like some lunch?

- Yes. That would be nice. - Good.

Uh... Oh, hang on a moment. I won't be a second.

- Are we on course? - These things take time, Mr Daniels.

We don't have time. Just get it done.

Without wishing to bring undue pressure to bear,

Whittakers are a major player in weapons delivery systems.

Roxborough's extravagant claims about the unexplained deaths

of some of their scientists are damaging both them and the government.

They could be held in camera if there were real concerns.

It was understood, Monty, the trial would be in safe hands.

- Indeed, I assured ministers it was. - Why do you assume it no longer is?

Nothing will persuade me of that now that you've let the case go to Deed.

It was agreed you'd hear it.

Yes, but I took the view, Ian, that we can't have Deed

continually estranged from his brethren.

While I share the sentiment, you could have chosen a more appropriate case

with which to return him to the fold. Can you get it back from him?

You know the etiquette as well as I do, Ian.

Deed now has the case.

Without over-stressing the situation, that could be a complete disaster.

Well, I'm sure you're exaggerating, Ian.

- I'll see if I can't hook it back again. - We would appreciate that.

No, Monty. We shan't take the Roxborough case back. It's too boring.

It's politically expedient, my dear.

Don't flannel me. You're a High Court judge.

You're supposed to be above political pressure.

Well, I know, but one does sometimes have to meet them halfway.

No. We'll stick with the murderer who raped his victim.

With your leave, My Lord, the Crown would request a hearing in camera

because of the sensitive nature of some of the evidence likely to come out.

I would need to hear the most compelling argument.

Mr Roxborough wasn't a government minister, was he?

- He didn't have access to state secrets. - No.

Well, he did put himself in possession of a lot of secret information, My Lord.

Mr Cantwell, without revealing your defence, of course,

will you be exposing secrets

or making any revelations likely to impede the function of government?

That isn't the defence's intention, My Lord, but who knows?

I might get lucky.

The fact is, Mrs Mills,

the defendant has been accused of a crime that he vigorously denies.

To restrict reporting now would hardly be fair on the defendant.

No, the court will weigh the relevance of any evidence as it arises.

Are we ready to empanel the jury?

The man before you in the dock is not a famous MP

crusading on behalf of the underdog.

Not a fearless fighter for justice for the less privileged in society.

He's a mere mortal like you and me.

Full of the same frailties and fears and anxieties.

A man who, when pushed into a corner and fearing exposure, lashed out,

trying to silence the threat.

He attempted to bash out his former lover's brains

with an iron frying pan when he threatened to expose him.

It wasn't the fact that they'd been lovers that Donald Toombs

threatened to expose. No.

What Alan Roxborough so desperately feared having revealed

was his cynical and callous private attitude

to those he was publicly at pains to help.

The families of young scientists who had died in unexplained circumstances.

And to keep this truth about himself secret,

he was prepared to go to any lengths to get back the letters

he had so recklessly written to this young man

in his own hand and on House of Commons notepaper.

He attempted to kill him.

You'll read some of these letters and decide for yourselves.

Superintendent Craddock, when you charged and cautioned the defendant,

- did he say anything? - Yes. He protested that he was an MP.

He said the Home Secretary would vouch for him.

He also said that he was going to the Home Office as a junior minister

and that we'd be in trouble when he did.

What was your response to this?

I pointed out that we were behaving correctly and politely.

Were you intimidated by the threats?

You hear all sorts of threats from prisoners.

This MP was going to the Home Office where he'd have a direct influence

over your career. That didn't give you a moment's worry?

It made me double-check the evidence.

- You're pretty thorough, are you? - I try to be.

You aren't always so thorough.

- Are you? - I think I am, sir.

Do you recall the case of Mohamed Aziz?

A Muslim cleric you arrested six years ago for inciting racial hatred?

Well, you told him that if he didn't shut up,

you'd have the lads take him down to a nice, quiet cell.

- What did you mean by that? - He was calling me a fat, racist pig.

Was the nice, quiet cell so that he could have a little rest?

Or so that your boys could beat the daylights out of him?

That wasn't the finding of the internal inquiry.

How many white officers make up an impartial inquiry?

What are you implying there, Mr Cantwell?

The hearing was biased or racist?

My Lord, you know as well as anyone, we're all victims of suspicion of bias

when our colleagues investigate us.

We have to assume that they were fair.

The inquiry did exonerate me and my officers.

Oh, my point is not your supposed racist attitude, Superintendent.

Rather, erm, lack of care.

Having been so abused by Mr Aziz,

you then accepted the witness statements against him at face value.

You didn't bother to check into their background.

Both were card-carrying members of the BNP

with convictions for racist attack.

As a result, the trial against Mr Aziz was stopped.

- Is that right? - Yes.

You then proceeded in the same fashion against Mr Roxborough after he had...

No. We checked and re-checked the facts.

Indeed, Superintendent.

Indeed.

Mrs Mills, do you want to come back?

Superintendent Craddock,

were you able to establish who made the attempt on the victim's life

- on the 15th of March? - Yes. It was the defendant.

He'd gone to Toombs' flat demanding back the remaining letters,

which Toombs had threatened to give to the press.

Were the letters' contents of a nature

likely to undermine his position in parliament?

My Lord, isn't that a matter for the jury?

- I rather think it is, Mrs Mills. - I'm sorry.

Superintendent, did you examine the letters the defendant wrote

- to Mr Toombs? - I examined four letters.

Four which Toombs had previously returned to the defendant.

- What was the tone of those letters? - They said how much he loved him,

how he was the only person he felt he could relax with.

In two of the letters, he said he felt he was drowning

and that he, Toombs, was his life jacket.

Referring to the families of the dead scientists, he wrote,

"These wretched Muslims hang on to me like dead weights

"with no concern that they might be causing me to sink."

- How long was your affair with Jo Mills? - You mean when we slept together?

If that's how you define a love affair.

The love affair hasn't ended. I still love her.

Why do you feel compelled to have physical relations with other women?

I thought you were going to tell me.

You know that's not what I do, Sir John.

Wouldn't you be more comfortable calling me John?

- I'm quite comfortable, thank you. - I don't think you are.

Can you answer my question?

It's almost entirely physical.

Like the need to take a shower morning and evening.

What about for the women? Does it mean nothing?

I don't think it means much more.

Wouldn't any of them want you to pick up the phone, call them again?

What, you mean having a relationship?

My problem is in letting relationships last.

That's why I'm coming here. I've been here five times now.

I still want to pick up women.

There's no magic formula, Sir John, but we can try.

Look, I want to have a long-term relationship with Jo Mills.

She won't let me in because she thinks I'm a serial womaniser.

To prove that I'm not

by having a long-term relationship with somebody else,

would preclude my having a relationship with Jo, wouldn't it?

Couldn't you equally prove this by not having casual affairs with other women?

- Then she'd have to take my word. - You don't think she would?

Would you take the word of a serial womaniser?

What is it you want from me?

I want to make love to you.

That often happens with male clients.

Especially those who were adopted as children.

I think you want to make me one of the women you have a problem with.

I don't think you take me seriously.

The trouble is, Sir John, I do.

- Hello. - Paul, it's Jo. Have you got a moment?

I'm going through the evidence of the policeman who's up first thing tomorrow.

- I'll come through. - Thanks.

Is there a problem?

I hope not. But according to the statements,

Donald Toombs was attacked at around ten to five.

The MP was stopped in his car eight miles away at one minute past five.

He travelled the distance of eight miles

between Donald Toombs' flat and the stop point in 11 minutes.

- Is that possible? - If the police say so.

Well, has anyone from our side tried driving the route in 11 minutes?

Because it's certain the defence will have done.

It could have been 15. The witnesses may not have been accurate.

- Then it could have been less. - Isn't this something for the defence?

I want to make sure they don't catch us out.

I'll drive the route myself in the morning.

Do you want a drink before you go?

Oh, I have a couple of briefs in my pigeonhole.

I must read them. Sorry.

What was the defendant's attitude when you stopped his car?

Aggressive, miss. He threatened us.

What was his opening remark?

The specific threat was the third thing he said.

His attitude was aggressive.

- Was he surprised you stopped him? - Oh, he was outraged.

When asked about the victim, Donald Toombs, he denied knowing him.

Did he give you a reason for not knowing Mr Toombs?

He said he'd forgotten him.

Then when pressed, he said he'd misheard the name.

Can you describe his physical appearance?

Dishevelled. His raincoat was smeared with blood.

That's a lie. An absolute lie.

I'm sure there will be a lot in evidence

that you won't agree with, Mr Roxborough.

You will get your opportunity.

I can't sit here and listen to these lies.

And we can't conduct a trial with you refuting points from the dock.

Your barrister will do that.

- But these are blatant... - Be quiet.

Mrs Mills.

How much blood was there on his clothes?

It was four or five smudges. Like he tried to wipe away a splash.

No, no, no. This... This...

Mr Roxborough, I know that you are used to the cut and thrust of parliament,

but when the Speaker tells you to shut up,

you shut up or find yourself removed. Look upon me as the Speaker.

With respect, My Lord, I can't see how justice can be done

when I hear these lies.

Do you feel yourself above the court, Mr Roxborough?

Because that is the impression that this jury is likely to form.

You must trust due process.

You must trust your barrister. You must trust the jury.

They have given up their valuable time to help to deliver justice.

Mrs Mills.

Can you look at exhibit nine, Constable?

Is this the raincoat the defendant was wearing when you stopped his car?

- Yes, it is. - No, that's a lie!

- Dock officer, take him downstairs. - You can't...

My Lord, might I have a short adjournment to speak to my client?

He's clearly very upset.

No, Mr Cantwell. You can speak to him in the lunch adjournment.

- Charming. - Mrs Mills.

Did you ask the defendant about the blood, Constable?

Yes. He said he didn't know how it got there.

I then asked him if it was his blood and he said,

"Yes. It must be. I had a nosebleed in the car."

- Was it his blood? - No.

It was from the victim, Donald Toombs.

That policeman is lying through his teeth.

I didn't have a nosebleed. It's all lies.

Yes, I'm sure you're right.

- The police are lying, Brian. - Of course.

Our time will come. Now, let me talk to the judge,

see if I can persuade him to let you back up.

If I can, you have to promise me not to make another sound in the dock.

Promise me that.

Good.

Do you have this sent in?

Mrs Mills. My name's Michael Rudkin. I'm a solicitor. Hi. Erm...

I have some information about this case.

What sort of information, Mr Rudkin?

Well, I thought someone would contact me.

I witnessed the police stopping Mr Roxborough.

He didn't have blood on his coat.

It will be very damaging to our case

if you reveal this evidence from Michael Rudkin, Jo.

We don't have any option.

Unless you subscribe to the belief in winning at any cost.

Jo, we are looking to secure a conviction.

Not if he proves not guilty.

Are you ready, Mrs Mills?

Could I have just one moment, Mrs Cooper?

Brian, could I have a word?

Do you remember seeing a witness in the vicinity

when the police stopped you?

Was there one? What's he saying?

Certainly nothing that's going to help the police with their case.

Oh. I suppose there was someone nearby.

I must have forgotten about it. Yes.

Constable Welkin, you have a good memory?

- I think so, sir. - Has it ever let you down?

It's pretty accurate, sir.

Yet you used your notebook throughout your evidence in chief. Why was that?

The Judge gave me permission, sir.

Why did you find it necessary to ask for that permission?

It means I'm absolutely accurate in what I tell the court.

I'm sure we're all most grateful, Constable.

- Is it a contemporaneous note? - Yes, sir. It is.

You took it in the street as you interviewed Mr Roxborough.

No, sir. When I got back to the station.

Ah. Contemporaneously recorded after the event.

Mr Cantwell, experience over the years

has suggested that notes made when the police officer is able to make them

are accepted as contemporaneous.

Yes. A lawyer's contemporaneous,

- everyone else's sometime later. - Yes. All right. I see.

It's not always possible or reasonable

for an officer to make a note when the incident occurs.

It's no reflection on the officer,

though, nevertheless, Mr Cantwell does have a valid point.

My Lord.

How long after the stop did you make the note?

Fifteen minutes at the most.

- You made the stop at one minute past 5. - Yes, sir.

You took Mr Roxborough to the station,

found the duty inspector, explained the arrest.

You got Mr Roxborough a cup of tea,

took his fingerprints, let him make a phone call,

took his car keys, arranged for his car to be brought to the station,

and wrote your notes all within 15 minutes?

- Yes. - At least an hour, wasn't it?

- No. Fifteen minutes. - Fifteen minutes!

- Come off it! - Mr Cantwell.

These aren't notes, are they?

This is a script.

PC Welkin's little drama.

Time is vitally important in this case, Constable Welkin, is it not?

It's always important to be accurate, sir.

I repeat. Time is vitally important here.

The times are accurate, sir.

The crime supposedly committed by Mr Roxborough

took place at 16:50, 11 minutes before the stop.

Do you believe it's possible to drive eight miles

- in traffic in 11 minutes? - That's what he did, sir.

Well, that would mean he's travelling at 43.6 miles per hour all the way.

Is that possible?

For a man fleeing from a crime, I'd say it was.

Constable Welkin, have you always been a constable?

Yes, sir.

Even when you were in the Special Branch?

- You were in the Special Branch? - I was seconded to them, sir.

- Did you know? - No.

For two and a half years.

You went back into uniform one week before the arrest of Alan Roxborough.

Were you previously part of the squad conducting surveillance on the MP?

No, I wasn't.

There was surveillance on this MP, wasn't there?

I don't know about that, sir.

This whole story about getting the call and finding the suspect

with blood on his coat is a fabrication.

An elaborate conspiracy to convict Alan Roxborough, is it not?

- No, sir. - I wonder.

Why did you transfer out of Special Branch, Constable Welkin?

- My time was up, sir. - Was it?

- You mean the secondment had ended. - Yes, sir.

You're sure you were seconded to the Branch, are you?

- Yes, sir. - That's interesting.

Because on your police record it says you applied. Why is that?

- That's a mistake, sir. - A mistake?

Was your reason for leaving the Branch another mistake?

My secondment had come to an end.

Your record says you have great aptitude for the work.

Not someone they usually let go of lightly, surely.

I don't know, sir.

Well, we'll let the jury decide.

Mrs Mills, do you want to re-examine?

Constable, is it possible to drive

from Donald Toombs' flat to where you stopped the defendant,

a distance of eight miles, in 11 minutes?

Yes, it is, miss.

Would he have needed to break the speed limit?

Yes, miss. Several times.

But someone fleeing from a crime wouldn't consider that.

Coop, would you ask Dr Crawcheck to join me in chambers

- at the adjournment for tea? - And how long it took.

- Dr Crawcheck. - Thanks, Coop.

- Shall I bring your tea now, Judge? - Thank you, that would be very nice.

- I shouldn't meet you like this. - 'Cause of those boundaries?

Psychotherapists are often no more consistent than anyone else.

I'm not allowed to sit down in your presence. Charlie said.

Well, you can with my permission. Please.

Charlie said you'd been recently divorced.

I don't talk about myself with clients.

Yes. It's odd that, isn't it? Because we talk to Charlie about each other.

Yes. Another one of those inconsistencies.

So did you come here to observe me? Or Mrs Mills?

I must confess to being curious about her.

- Isn't that breaking the rules? - I do break the rules sometimes.

- Hello? - Paul, did I wake you?

Fat chance.

I was watching News 24. We've got three minutes.

Good. I want you to get on to the CPS first thing.

We don't have the transcripts of the calls to the police area car

that Constables Welkin and Bengy were in.

I'm surprised the defence hasn't asked for them.

CPS'll have a fit!

Well, it should have been disclosed.

You might get a big surprise.

Why didn't you go to the defence with your concerns, Row?

Well, as a policeman, I can only go so far, Jo.

You mightn't be a policeman much longer if they find out.

I'll have to retire soon anyway.

Give me five minutes to finish this and call home to see if Mark's okay,

- then we'll eat. - I'll visit the plumbing.

- Row? - Mmm?

Why not say what it is you hope I'll find?

You're a bright girl.

- Row Colemore's phone. - Where is he?

Well, he stepped out. I can get him.

- Tell him to call Frank Daniels. - Is there...

- Who's Frank Daniels? - Oh, he's a prospective employer. Why?

He wants you to call him.

- He's very abrupt. - He's downright rude.

Look, Jo, I'd better do it now. Would you excuse me?

Course.

Mr Daniels, it's Row Colemore.

I found someone who can fix the police tape.

The CPS won't know what's going on.

Good. Whittakers deserves to go down the tubes.

Roxborough was making sure of that. No, I want him acquitted.

My taking over the company will be good for the country.

We have another problem, Mr Daniels.

The solicitor, Michael Rudkin, is getting nervous.

No. You've got the problem, Row. Now deal with it.

What is it you're after, Jo? The prosecution case is strong.

I don't want it falling apart.

How? We've still got Donald Toombs' evidence. It's very strong.

Are you ready to start, Mrs Mills?

- Just give us a moment. - Well, the judge is waiting.

- Elliott, what nonsense is this? - The log transcripts tell us nothing.

The fact is, we don't have them. They're lost.

Well, fine, then I'll have the area car tape.

Do we know what sort of trouble Mrs Mills is having?

- No. She didn't say, Judge. - Let's go and find out, shall we?

All rise.

Mrs Mills, you're calling your next witness?

With your leave, we call Carlos Fedor.

Mr Fedor, can you tell the court what your relationship is with the defendant?

Mr Alan said he'd get me papers to live here always.

Where did you meet the defendant?

Yes. We met at the Blue Flame club.

He takes me around the House of Commons.

And what is your relationship with him?

He made love to me many times.

Did he give you money?

- My Lord... - No. Good try, though.

Answer the question, Mr Fedor.

Yes. Many times. Much money.

Do you still have a relationship with the defendant?

No. He made the police to send me back to Rio.

How old were you when Mr Roxborough met you in the club?

- 17. - 17 going on 37.

- I don't understand. - I think you do, Mr Fedor.

Weren't you a regular visitor to the Blue Flame,

a nightclub frequented by homosexual prostitutes of whom you're one?

You do sell your body, Mr Fedor?

And had been doing so for a good while when Mr Roxborough met you.

He got the police to throw me out of the country.

For shoplifting.

The fact is, Mr Fedor, you are an habitual shoplifter

with a string of convictions, are you not?

He say he help me, but he tell the police I no good.

A fact I'm sure the jury will find inescapable, Mr Fedor.

I am sitting down, My Lord.

What time did Mr Roxborough arrive at your flat?

The first time about 4:30. He phoned to ask if he could come over.

It wasn't me he wanted to see. He just wanted the letters he'd written me.

What was in the letters that made a visit so necessary?

He'd been indiscreet in them.

As an MP, he'd made his reputation fighting

his lost causes, as he called them. He made a lot of noise in parliament

about the unexplained deaths at Whittakers, the armaments company.

He said he was worrying people high up so much,

he was being offered a job in the government.

- Did he tell you what sort of a job? - In the Home Office.

But the families of those who died were pushing him for answers.

He wrote to me saying how these grasping people

were draining him, and nothing he ever did was enough for them.

He wished they'd all commit suicide like their sons.

- Whose property were these letters? - Mine. He'd written them to me.

- Did he ask for them back? - Several times.

- I told him he couldn't have them. - Did he threaten you over the letters?

He said I'd be sorry if I didn't give them up.

Did he say why?

He said he'd make sure the police got me

when he got to the Home Office.

I laughed. I said he'd never get the job.

And that's when he went for me.

Did he press home his attack?

He held me down and demanded the remaining letters.

How many letters in all did he write to you?

Seven. Like a fool, I'd given four back when he asked for them.

- Did you give him the other letters? - No.

What did he do when you refused to give him the three remaining letters?

He tried to have sex with me.

And when I wouldn't, he left.

- Was that the last you saw of him? - No.

He came back about 10 minutes later and let himself in with a key.

I didn't even know he had a key.

I was in the kitchen. The radio was on, so I didn't hear him.

He came up behind me and put his hands around my throat.

I thought he was gonna kill me.

I mean, my eyes were bulging.

My ears were bursting. I could hardly breathe.

He said, "I want those letters, you little queer,"

and threw me to the floor.

The next thing I knew,

I had a tremendous pain in my kidneys where he'd knee-dropped me.

He kept saying, "Give me the letters,"

and started slapping me around my head

and grinding my face into the floor. Sorry.

Grinding my face into the floor.

Then...

Then it felt as if my head had split open.

He'd hit me with the iron frying pan.

I just started screaming and screaming.

Then suddenly, the blows stopped

and I tried to crawl to the door

and when I got there, my neighbour Linda

had come in to find out if I was all right.

- I'm sorry. - Thank you, Mr Toombs.

Do you need to take a break, Mr Toombs?

I'd rather get it over with.

Mr Cantwell.

Mr Toombs,

let us suppose for a moment that it wasn't Mr Roxborough

who came back to your flat that Sunday afternoon, but someone else.

- It was him. - But supposing it was someone else.

You didn't see him. He approached you from behind.

Who else could it have been?

- I don't know. I didn't see. - Quite. You didn't see.

- Who has a key to your flat? - No one. Just me.

- Have you lost a key or lent one out? - No. I've got the only keys.

You claim Mr Roxborough has one.

Yet, in his effects at the police station,

no key to your flat was found.

How was that?

- He must have thrown it away. - Thrown it away?

Having no further need of it?

Having got the three most dangerous, threatening letters off you?

- Yes? - Yes.

Did you tell Mr Roxborough where you had hidden the letters?

No, of course I didn't. I'm not stupid, you know.

Yet this second mysterious visitor to your flat

- found them and took them. - It was Alan!

Then where did the letters go?

They weren't in Mr Roxborough's possession at the police station,

nor in his car.

Or do you imagine he threw them from the window for anyone to read?

Well, I don't know. Perhaps he ate them.

You do see what I'm getting at, don't you, Mr Toombs?

There is a real possibility that it was someone other

than Mr Roxborough who came back to your flat.

Now, on November the 9th, you made a complaint to the police

saying you thought you were being followed

and that you thought your flat was being bugged.

Is there any substance to this?

The police said there wasn't, but then, they would, wouldn't they?

- To protect Alan. - Why do you think this was happening?

Because I was seeing an MP who was making trouble.

I mean, I was glad when he broke it off.

I was sick of all that stuff. It was worrying me.

Then the possibility that someone was

insinuating himself into your flat comes all the more alive.

Now, when the relationship ended,

did you write to Mr Roxborough demanding money from him?

No.

I asked for a loan.

I had psoriasis, I was out of work and I was behind with my rent.

Well, which is it?

Because you were out of work, couldn't pay the rent or had itchy skin?

"If you don't let me have £1,000,

"I'll send your letters to the Daily Mail

"and tell them the whole dirty truth about you."

Did you write that to Mr Roxborough on the 1st of March?

I can't remember.

You can't remember? Do you often write letters like this?

- Are you exhibiting this, Mr Cantwell? - I will be, My Lord.

- Do you have a handwriting expert? - Oh, you bet we do. Well, Mr Toombs?

Mr Toombs, before you answer,

has anyone advised you that you might expose yourself

to the serious charge of blackmail

under Section 21 of the 1968 Theft Act?

Does Your Lordship have to hand him the lifeline?

Come off it, Mr Cantwell. It's the oldest rule in the book.

Mr Toombs, no one is bound to answer any question

if the answer might lay them open to a criminal charge. Thank you.

Let me put it delicately, Mr Toombs.

The truth is, you are not a victim of crime.

- You are the face of crime. - What?

A scringing, homosexual blackmailer!

How many times have you met with the defendant, Mr Toombs?

I don't know. Loads of times.

Would you describe your relationship with him as intimate?

Yes. It was for almost a year.

When he attacked you, did he speak to you?

Yes. He said he wanted his letters back.

- Did you recognise his voice? - Yes, of course.

- You're absolutely sure of that? - Yes, yes, of course I am.

Thank you, Mr Toombs.

- See you later, Paul. - What about that tape, Jacqui?

I'm afraid I haven't seen it.

Then what we're going to do is go to the CPS offices and find it.

Ring Elliott. Make sure he's around.

There's another matter we have to discuss.

I don't understand this, Elliott.

I can almost believe that the CPS doesn't want us to win.

What are you saying, Jo? We are winning.

We jeopardised our main witness

because he was not told of the consequences

- of his incriminating himself. - It was worth the risk.

The case against Roxborough is good, Jo. You're making all your points.

I still want to hear the tape.

It's simply a record of radio calls to police area cars, nothing more.

The call at 16:55 advising the police

to be on the lookout for a silver Alfa driven by Roxborough is there,

so, too, is PC Welkin's call in to say that they'd stopped

- and arrested the MP at 17:01. - Everything is here, is it?

Well, it certainly won't aid the defence.

- Have we disclosed the tape to them? - Of course not.

- Jo, get on board with us here. - We are doing our best, Jo.

Control to Charlie Victor Zero Nine.

Suspect, Alan Roxborough.

Wanted in connection with attempted...

Driving a silver Alfa Romeo...

This is Row Colemore.

I can't take your call right now, but do leave a message. Thanks.

Row, it's Jo Mills.

I've got the radio traffic tape from the police car

that stopped Alan Roxborough. What is it I'm looking for? Call me.

This is John Deed. Please leave...

- Yes? - It's John Deed.

- Is anything wrong? - Can I come in?

Um, yeah. Push the door.

- Have we got an appointment? - You know we don't.

- I've been thinking of you. - I've told you, lots of men do that.

You're my client.

Yes. That's my excuse for behaving badly.

I just want to have dinner with you.

- No. I'd have to stop seeing you. - That's a contradiction in terms.

Yeah.

I think you're as lonely and isolated as I sometimes feel.

Oh, you cook as well, Sir John.

Shouldn't you call me John now you're wearing my shirt?

If I did that, the balance of our relationship might change.

- I thought it had. - There's no going back.

Is there ever?

Mmm.

Now that we've made love, I won't see you again.

- Not as a therapist? - Not as anything.

I'm not a woman that likes to be dumped.

- Do they ever? - You'd be surprised.

And if I promise not to do that?

- I'm not sure you can help yourself. - Well, I do try.

I did therapy, didn't I?

Yes, and you've achieved a lot in your life.

But we never got to lasting relationships, did we?

I think you abandon women

because somewhere inside, there's a little boy

who knows he can't rely on love.

Feels unworthy of it and can't bear to feel vulnerable again.

Yes. I understand intellectually, but that doesn't help.

I can't go back and be that 10-year-old.

I know you feel disconnected.

But the connection with the past is in the present.

You have to reach back and integrate it, John.

This must be getting serious. You called me John.

When you examined the Burberry mackintosh, Dr Vaughn,

can you tell the court what you found?

Blood staining on the back of the garment,

three patches roughly the size of golf balls.

Were you able to establish whose blood it was?

We DNA matched it to Donald Toombs.

Could you examine exhibit number 27,

the iron frying pan, and tell us what you found?

It has blood and skin traces on it that were a DNA match to Donald Toombs.

There were fingerprints belonging to the defendant.

Were you able to establish if this was the weapon used to attack Mr Toombs?

Yes, clearly.

Then it's not unreasonable his blood was on it?

No. It was used in the attack.

When it wasn't being used as a blunt instrument of mayhem,

it was a cooking implement.

Yes.

So, is it surprising that Mr Toombs' prints were on it?

No.

If a person had a relationship with the victim,

if they prepared food in the kitchen,

would it be surprising to find that person's prints there?

No, it wouldn't be.

So there was nothing in itself significant

in finding Mr Roxborough's prints...

In these circumstances, it indicates that the defendant

used the frying pan to hit Mr Toombs.

You're certain of that?

No. It is a significant indication.

Hmm.

You gave evidence in a murder case in 1998.

There, you were equally sure that a claw hammer

bearing the fingerprints of both the victim and the defendant

indicated the defendant had used it to kill his victim.

The defendant, George Meddicot, was in fact convicted for murder, yes?

- Yes. - Didn't hear that, Doctor.

- Yes. He was. - Yes.

And just last month, the Court of Appeal set that conviction aside

because it was unsafe.

Thank you, Doctor. You can step down.

That was my last witness and concludes the case for the Crown, My Lord.

Thank you, Mrs Mills. Mr Cantwell, am I to hear from you?

No. I'd like to call my first witness, Alan Roxborough, MP.

Mr Roxborough,

can you tell the court for how long you had a relationship with Mr Toombs?

We were friends for about 15 months.

We'd met on Rotherwas Common.

He'd caught my dog as it was running towards the road.

What caused the relationship to end?

My rapprochement with my wife.

Did Mr Toombs ever ask you for money?

- Yes, he did. - Much money?

He asked me for £1,000. This he increased to £2,000.

Did you ever accede to his demands for money?

- No. - How did his demands come about?

Well, he said he was broke, he couldn't work because of a skin complaint,

he was behind with his rent.

That's when he asked if I could loan him £1,000. I said no.

Did he threaten you?

Well, he joked about how my wife wouldn't like to know about him.

I told him that she already knew.

Did he repeat his request for money?

Yes. Two weeks later.

I'd mentioned that I'd been offered a job in the government.

It was then that I asked him for the letters that I'd written to him.

He said I could have them if I gave him the £2,000.

Were you worried the letters would compromise you in government?

No.

They would embarrass me.

I had said hurtful things about people because I was feeling overwhelmed,

impotent to further my investigation into unexplained deaths

in the armaments industry.

- Did you recover any of the letters? - Yes. He returned four,

but I decided not to take the government job anyway.

Instead, I continued trying to find answers to explain the deaths.

Let us be clear about this.

Did you ever give Mr Toombs money for the letters

or to shut him up?

No. As God is my witness, I didn't.

Yes. A little, please. That's it.

Is Alan Roxborough gonna be found not guilty?

Well, I've done just about everything I can.

You know, doctoring a police radio traffic tape could cost me my job,

even my liberty.

For the kind of money you'll be collecting,

- you won't even think twice about it. - Hopefully I won't have to.

I want the job done.

Well, the judge is the unknown.

Unfortunately, our judges aren't biddable, Mr Daniels.

In this race, Row, no one gets the prize for being second.

I will do what I can to have the trial stopped.

I don't care how. Just get that MP free to go on attacking Whittakers' board.

They only need one more push for us to take over.

Now, is that understood?

Mr Roxborough, how much money did you give Mr Toombs?

None.

I said I didn't. I didn't.

- Not even for sex? - No, certainly not.

This is a homosexual who is known to the police

for pick-ups on Rotherwas Common. Do you really think that this jury

is going to believe that you never gave him money?

It's true. I didn't.

Or that you never gave Mr Fedor money for sex?

No. I didn't.

I didn't.

This is your bank statement for March of this year.

- Item 54 in your bundle, My Lord. - Yeah.

Can you look on the statement

at the cash withdrawals you made for the 7th and the 12th

and tell us what they're for?

Well, I was buying my daughter a car.

£1,000, a week after Mr Toombs had demanded £2,000 from you.

And then another £1,000 five days later.

- I didn't pay him. - What did you do with the money?

- I don't know. - Did you buy your daughter a car?

No.

£2,000 is a lot of cash not to know where it went.

Well, I kept it about my person for expenditure.

Well, then, look at item 54 again.

You withdrew £50 the day following the withdrawal of the first £1,000.

- Yes, but that was my wife's. - Two days later, another £50 went out.

And then two days after the withdrawal of the second £1,000,

on the Saturday, you took out £100.

Had you forgotten that you had this large sum of cash about your person?

No, no, no. I was still looking for a car.

Isn't it true that you gave Mr Toombs the £1,000 that he demanded

- and he gave you four of the letters? - No, it isn't.

Then how were letters you had written to him in your possession?

He returned them to me.

Coincidentally, after he had demanded money from you?

Isn't it true that in spite of what you paid him,

he kept back the three most damaging letters,

- for which he demanded further payment? - No. I didn't give him a penny.

On Sunday the 15th of March,

you went to Mr Toombs' apartment to get those letters by any means,

- did you not? - No. I went there to tell him

- that I wouldn't see him again. - But why not tell him on the phone?

Because I thought it would be kinder to see him.

Oh, you're a kind MP, are you?

One who occasionally writes unkind things about people

he is supposed to be helping.

Isn't it true

that Mr Toombs said he wasn't going to give you the three other letters

- unless you gave him £1,000? - Yes, he did say that.

Was that a second £1,000, Mr Roxborough?

No. There was no first payment.

Mr Roxborough, could you look at item 59

in the bundle before you and tell the jury what it is?

It's a rent statement from Rotherwas Council for Donald Toombs' flat.

Can you tell us what the entry is for March the 9th?

Um, it's an arrears payment for £674.80.

Made two days after the withdrawal of the first £1,000

from your account, following the demands by your lover, Donald Toombs.

Is that a coincidence?

Well, it must be. These things do happen.

And how many of the jury have experienced such happy coincidences?

Are you going to ask them, Mrs Mills?

I think they may already have made up their minds.

When Mr Toombs refused to part with the letters,

did you call him, as a neighbour said in evidence,

- "a filthy, blackmailing guttersnipe"? - I expect so. I was angry.

Well, a filthy, blackmailing guttersnipe did have very damaging letters

- that could keep you out of government. - No. I'd decided not to take the job.

Because Mr Toombs was threatening to expose you?

No. He had nothing to do with my decision.

Then why were you so desperate to get his letters back?

Because I didn't want my constituents to think unkindly of me.

So much so that in a fit of panic,

you were prepared to bash out Donald Toombs' brains to cover your tracks?

What you hadn't reckoned on was the neighbourliness

in the block where Mr Toombs lived.

When Mrs Wheatley rang the bell to ask if he was all right

and you realised that you couldn't go through with your plans...

- There was no plan! - You came back a little later.

Let yourself into the flat with a key that you had taken

and attacked Mr Toombs and took the letters,

only to be thwarted again by his good neighbours.

That wasn't me. It makes no sense. Why would I risk his neighbours again?

Does he have a point, Mrs Mills?

A fear of being exposed often causes us to abandon reason.

I didn't!

You must believe me.

I don't have to believe you, Mr Roxborough.

They do.

I think this is a convenient moment.

All rise.

I had an electronics expert

listen to the police radio traffic tape the CPS gave you.

- It's doctored. - Oh, you can't be serious.

He's reassembled the edits, measuring the different echoes.

He estimates that the call to arrest Roxborough went out at 16:40.

That's when Roxborough was at Toombs' flat the first time,

- arguing about the letters. - Yes, Jo.

The call from the control room to arrest the MP

seems to have gone out before he supposedly committed the crime.

Then there is a conspiracy.

If I disclose this, the prosecution's case will collapse.

Control to Charlie Victor Zero Nine.

Suspect, Alan Roxborough.

Wanted in connection with attempted murder.

Time logged, 16:55.

Control to Charlie Victor Zero Nine.

Suspect, Alan Roxborough.

Wanted in connection with attempted murder.

Time logged, 16:55.

Attempted murder. Time logged, 16:55.

This is Elliott Stearnman. I'm not able to speak at present.

If you leave your name and number, I'll ring you back. Thanks.

Elliott, it's Jo Mills.

I've listened to the tape of the radio calls

from control to the police area cars. I think it's been tampered with.

Call me soon because I'm going to have to speak to the judge.

So what makes DAC Colemore convinced this tape has been tampered with?

He had an electronics expert examine it.

Is this the only copy?

I've asked for the original, nothing materialised.

What time was the 999 call made?

Well, if the expert is correct, the call was made to the police car

before the MP even committed the alleged crime.

At best, that's a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

At worst, someone is conspiring to shut Roxborough down.

It's a big leap.

I can believe that the CPS is incompetent, the police, well,

we know that they sometimes fit the evidence to the suspect,

but I don't believe that they are working in concert.

Should I disclose what I know?

Are you convinced that this tape has been interfered with?

Without the original, I can't be certain.

Then you must go to the defence with your suspicions

and ask Brian Cantwell to raise them.

This is the end of our formal ex parte hearing.

Wow.

If this tape turns out to be genuine, you're in big trouble.

I doubt if the CPS would employ you again.

- Shouldn't think anybody will. - Judge?

It is something for the defence to put to the jury.

Well, perhaps I should just give the tape to Brian Cantwell.

And it is career suicide.

This isn't just!

You have to show that the call to the police car came

before the crime was committed.

How'd you get into this?

Row Colemore said he thought there was something wrong with the tape.

- Does Row have an interest in this? - How? He's thinking of retiring.

Yeah, but where's he retiring to?

Come on, it's late.

Do you want to come back to the lodgings?

Are you kidding?

Oh, don't start all that. I'll move one of the staff out of their room.

You need to put in a lot more time with your therapist first.

The fact is, Jo,

I slept with her.

- Actually, she's helped me quite a lot. - Oh, how nice for you.

Do you know, for one brief moment,

I was stupid enough to think that you seriously wanted to change.

Perhaps I need psychotherapy.

Did Elliott talk to you? Is he coming to see me?

Look, Jo, I don't know what's going on any more than you do.

Then find out. It's your case. You're the one briefing me.

Elliott's trying to locate another copy of the police radio tape.

I don't want another copy. I want the original.

Mrs Mills in court yet, Coop?

- I did see her earlier. - Would you mind giving her this?

No, actually, I'll give it to her before we start.

- Oh, it's no trouble to pop it through. - No. I'll do it.

- Jo, I need to talk to you. - Nothing to talk about.

I finally realised that you can't change anyone else, only yourself.

I can't talk here.

Well, should you be talking to me at all, Judge, without defence counsel?

Look.

This could affect your case.

Roxborough's mentioned, along with Frank Daniels.

Daniels is expected to take over Whittakers

and thereby a large proportion of the British armaments industry.

- Daniels. - Hold on.

Daniels stands to benefit from Roxborough undermining

the current management of Whittakers. The MP can't do that if he's in prison.

Frank Daniels. That's who Row Colemore's going to work for.

You sure about that?

Your friend Row is using me to undermine the case against Roxborough.

He's your friend, too.

You must force the CPS to get you that original police tape.

You're so smart, you do it.

Coop, could you ask DAC Colemore to join me at the adjournment?

Tell him I want to hear the original police tape.

He'll know what you mean.

Well, the judge now wants the original police radio traffic tape.

Good.

Just swing the one you doctored onto him and convince him it's the original.

I would like to call my next witness, Mr Michael Rudkin.

Mr Rudkin is a solicitor

who witnessed Mr Roxborough being stopped by the police

on the 15th of March.

There was no blood on Mr Roxborough's mac when the police stopped him.

How close were you to the scene of the stop?

I was quite close. Five metres.

I stopped my car because I thought there'd been an accident.

Mr Rudkin, would you pause just there, please?

PC Welkin. You seem very agitated.

Is there something that you want to say to the court?

- My Lord, forgive me... - No, no, no, Mr Cantwell.

PC Welkin.

- There was no other car, sir. - My Lord...

- This man is a liar! - The jury must go out.

The police officer is still under oath. Constable Welkin,

why should the jury believe you rather than this witness?

- Look at the photos of the stop, sir. - Item three in your bundle.

Perhaps you'd allow me to examine the witness, as you've recalled him.

I really must protest against this blatant bias.

I must be allowed to examine this witness.

Sit down and shut up, both of you.

Mr Rudkin,

would you look at item three in your witness bundle, please?

The photo.

And perhaps you would be good enough to indicate where you stopped.

I don't think where I stopped is on this photo.

Well, would it have been to the left or to the right?

Uh...

Left, I think. Yes. Left.

- Did you approach the police? - No, I didn't. I didn't like to.

Mr Rudkin, have you ever appeared before me?

- No, sir. I'm a litigation lawyer. - You seem familiar.

Hmm. Mr Roxborough, did you see Mr Rudkin's car stop?

Remember, you are still under oath.

My Lord, I really don't think you can conduct a trial in this fashion.

Who says? My overriding duty as a judge,

to use Roskill's words in the Crown and List, 1996,

- is to secure a fair trial. - Yes. And the jury must go out.

No. These are questions for the jury.

So, Mr Roxborough, did you see this witness stop his car?

- Yes. I think so. - Where was it he stopped?

Like he said, to the left. Five metres to the left on the photo.

Mr Rudkin, five metres ahead of where Mr Roxborough stopped his car?

- Yes. - Yes.

Well, Mr Rudkin, I'm sure that the prosecution will wish to

question you on this at some point,

but five metres to the left would have put you in the middle of a big hole

where a gas main was being laid,

as the photo in item four in your bundle shows.

Oh.

Well, it must have been the right.

I see.

Mr Roxborough, how many victims of unexplained deaths did you investigate?

Six to date.

All mathematicians under 30, all Asians.

All supposedly committed suicide.

Did you develop a theory about their deaths?

They were all working for Whittakers in the nuclear arms programme.

Each held a lot of company secrets

and were considering returning to either Pakistan or India.

To work on their country's nuclear programmes, hmm?

Had they signed the Official Secrets Act?

Everyone who works for Whittakers signs,

but you can't eradicate information from your mind.

That's what terrified people.

Do you concede the possibility that someone

sought to stop your investigation?

When you embark on conspiracy theories, where do you stop?

I'm a member of the British parliament.

My reason for being there is to ask questions,

sometimes awkward, far-reaching questions.

I didn't attack Donald.

I was indiscreet writing him those letters.

I didn't give him money to get them back.

I didn't have his blood on my mac when the police stopped me.

They're lying.

- No. - They are.

Between the three of you, someone is. And we'll find out who.

Just whose team are you batting for, Row?

- I'm on no one's team. - You're not on the police side.

The case shouldn't have been brought.

If it hadn't, Alan Roxborough might have continued doing what he was doing.

The board of Whittakers might not have survived.

Isn't that pointless speculation?

And if he's acquitted, he may yet make certain that they don't.

Is he going to be acquitted?

Do you know a solicitor called Michael Rudkin?

No. I don't think so.

I saw you talking to him.

- Well, I know lots of solicitors. - Don't take me for a fool, Row!

You've known me too long.

Your putative boss

wants Roxborough acquitted and you're helping him.

- I'm doing no such thing! - You gonna deny knowing Daniels?

No.

I do have to retire, John.

It's how we retire.

Christ, Row.

Look at our society out there and its diminishing values.

Reputation, our word, it's all we have of value.

You'd have been better employed making sure those unexplained deaths

- were thoroughly investigated. - They were, John.

As much as they were ever going to be.

The Secret Service held dossiers on each of the scientists who died.

When you sign on with Whittakers, it's for life.

Is that what you're doing now?

Those were idealistic young men straight from university.

They might have understood Einstein's theories,

but not what they were getting into.

- I want a copy of their MI5 files. - I can't get them.

I could barely get that.

That's the original police radio call tape.

Is this real?

Or is it a fake to make us all think that Roxborough was conspired against?

It's genuine.

You have my word.

I feel used.

So does Jo.

It is for the greater good.

Who decides that, Row, you? Daniels? MI5?

- I hope my instincts are wrong on this. - I'll try and get you those files.

Coop, would you urgently find an electronics expert

and get him to examine this tape for me?

Yes, Judge.

Mrs Mills, the judge would like to see you in chambers with Mr Cantwell.

What's that about?

Perhaps he wants to tell us about his love life.

As I had asked,

I have been passed the original police radio traffic tape

from March the 15th.

Is this something the defence should have had disclosed?

On it, the police are ordering the arrest of Alan Roxborough

before the alleged crime was committed.

Oh, before.

Well, then, the trial must be stopped and my client acquitted.

Well, I think I agree with you, Brian, it would be unsafe to continue

if word to arrest the MP did indeed go out 12 minutes

before the alleged attack on Mr Toombs.

But in the interest of justice, I can't simply direct the jury to acquit.

Now, if I were to order a retrial, are the CPS likely to want to go again?

I would certainly try to persuade them to that view.

Before they even attempt to do so,

then they should seriously investigate Michael Rudkin.

Because I'm convinced that he was

parachuted in as part of a conspiracy to acquit.

- Judge, that's a bit of a stretch. - Well, is it?

This is being passed off as the original police radio traffic tape.

It's been examined by an electronics expert

and it's been doctored.

This is the tape that the CPS gave to you, Jo.

And it's authentic.

I'm afraid Row Colemore has been lying to both of us.

Now it's clear to me that Alan Roxborough

did attack his lover, probably to get the letters back.

But whether he intended to kill him, well, now, that's a matter for a jury.

But not this jury

because of the sustained and serious conspiracy to acquit.

I'm going to stop this trial.

I'm going to send a report to the DPP about the two main conspirators

because I am determined

that neither Frank Daniels nor Row Colemore

shall prosper from this.

This result brings neither credit

nor particular shame to you, Mr Roxborough.

When someone consistently denies a crime of which he is accused,

there will always be doubt as to guilt or otherwise.

This, perhaps, is one of the fundamental flaws in our adversarial system.

My own feeling is that you have behaved in,

shall we say, a risky fashion.

It does little to enhance your reputation as a politician.

There is one way, however,

in which you might recover some of that lost ground.

Redouble your efforts to secure justice for the families

in the unexplained deaths.

I hope you will now prove courageous enough

to continue with that investigation.

For now, you're free to go.

All rise.

- Mrs Mills, My Lord. - Thank you, Mr Johnson.

- Will I serve lunch now? - Yes. Thank you.

- You refuse me and refuse... - I thought this was business.

Yes. Let's have lunch and talk.

I don't need either.

Jo, there's something else.

- Talk to your therapist. - She can't help.

- Not with this. - Oh, dear, how wretched for you.

Shut up and listen.

Are you still on the Roxborough case?

Hopefully I'll be prosecuting him again. The CPS are taking a view.

Good. These were given to me.

- They're MI5 files. - Yes.

On each of the scientists whose deaths Roxborough was investigating.

- They could get you killed. - Now, come off it, Jo.

Nice, middle class people don't really believe the state kills people.

How did you get them?

John.

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