All language subtitles for Judge John Deed S04E04 Defence Of The Realm

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- Rufus Barron.
- I'm sorry?

- You are Rufus Barron?
- Why?

Do you have any identification,
sir? We're police officers.

We want you to
come to the station.

Well, no, I can't.

Rufus Barron, I'm
arresting you for theft

and obtaining
property by deception.

- You do not have to say anything.
- What am I supposed to have nicked?

The receipts for the
office lottery syndicate?

Yeah, you wish.

- I'm grateful to you for coming.
- It sounded official.

Well, there are certain
facts in our possession.

Ah!

Well, to be candid,
I had no knowledge

that Haughton was
using inside information.

I assumed that my future son-in-law
was trying to ingratiate himself

by getting me to sell my One-Way
shares and thus make a bit of money.

And did you, Joe?

Yes. A tidy sum.

I'm beginning to wish I hadn't.

Joe, it's your ex-son-in-law
I need to talk about,

not the Home Secretary.

Deed?

Hasn't he settled down?

He had an affair with a
claimant who was before him.

Impossible. Deed is
neither stupid nor corrupt.

- Fortunately, he found against her.
- Now she's complaining?

She is not. That is
hardly the point, Joe.

Lady Everard witnessed
the woman leaving the digs.

Vera can't give evidence.

The Secretary of State,
the Lord Chancellor is loath

to have Deed sitting any longer.

He'll need the consent of both
Houses of Parliament to sack him.

Deed must do the decent thing.

These are the salient
facts in the case he heard.

I came to warn you
that the Lord Chancellor,

or whatever he
may call himself now,

the Secretary of State
for Constitutional Affairs,

is gunning for you.

That sounds like fun.

He may have cause.

Did you have an
affair with a claimant?

To have done so would
place you beyond the pale.

It flies in the face
of all we stand for.

I behaved foolishly,
not corruptly.

Your brother judges
take a different view.

- Are they all against me?
- So it would seem.

- They want you to resign.
- I'd better take counsel's advice, then.

Come in.

- Sir John Deed, miss.
- Can someone organise tea?

Yeah, sure. The resident judge's
clerk at Sussex confirmed you

- sitting for the last 10 days.
- Thank you, Tony.

Okay.

- You should sit permanently.
- I'm not as confident as you.

Jo, you'd be as smart on the
bench as you are at the bar.

I can't see them appointing me.

I was caught bunking off
from my last Judges' Seminar.

I don't think they'd be stupid
enough to hold that against you.

You did behave badly.

So, you think I should resign?

Why does this always
have to be about you?

Why can't you just once think
how I might feel in all of this?

You asked me not to go away,

but right now I can't see any
evidence for why I should stay.

I just came here
for some advice.

There you are, you see,
you're avoiding the issue.

I don't know why I didn't just go to
South Africa when I had the chance.

Because you have two
sons and a career here.

Yes, John, and you!

- It's not like I don't want to change.
- Oh, come on, you're not stupid.

Judges are always being
told not to exist in ivory towers,

divorced from reality, to be humans.
Perhaps that's what you're after.

Can sleeping with a claimant
be regarded as human frailty?

I don't think my fellow
judges see it that way.

Then clean up your act, John.

You could marry me.

Yeah, yes, I could.

But I'd need something more from
you than just an echo of a promise.

- You can't force Deed to resign, Ian.
- We might if we publicly shame him.

Be careful you don't put your
department out of sorts with most judges

rather than Deed.
They could close ranks,

particularly with the way
they feel about the executive.

Then we'll isolate him, Monty.

He shan't have another
case here, nor at the Strand.

We'll shut him out completely.

Well, there's a way to add pressure
and keep the judges on your side.

Peer review the case where
he allegedly acted improperly.

If his brethren find him
wanting, he'll have nowhere to go.

We'd need the right judge.

Michael Niven would
be at pains to be fair.

- And Deed meanwhile?
- Get him out of the way.

Find him something
non-controversial.

Deed would find controversy
in a bus-lane violation.

A High Court judge is needed to
lecture at the Judges' Seminar at Warwick.

We could send him there.

Monty, my clerk tells me that
there's nothing for me to hear.

- Have we run out of cases?
- I wish that were so.

So, why is there nothing for me?

There's concern over whether
you're fit emotionally to hear cases

because of the indiscretion
with the claimant.

Am I tried and found wanting?

I warned Rochester he'd
need to be sure of his evidence.

Is he?

A number of the brethren
want you to resign.

Where do you stand, Monty?

Well, if it's true, John, it shows
a grave error of judgement.

Can we legitimately peer
review Deed, Michael?

I don't see why not.

We do it all the time
in the Court of Appeal.

Will the judges support him?

Those I've spoken
to are furious with him.

He must stop hearing cases
until this matter is dealt with.

We can arrange that.

The Listing Officer's still
saying there's nothing for you.

Does he have any
untried cases in that office?

When hasn't he?

Tell Mr Wilson I want him to
bring all cases awaiting trial here.

No, actually, I'll go myself.

Do you think you should, Judge?

- My lord, may I help?
- Why is there such a shortage

of cases for trial, Mr Wilson?

Are the Home Secretary's
policies so successful?

It's a shortage of suitable
cases for your lordship to hear.

This one? Donald Langham,
accused of decapitating a prostitute.

The resident judge has
reserved that to himself, my lord.

Date rape?

Mr Justice Everard, my lord.

And the civil action - Cardinal
Waste Management PLC?

- That's not ready, my lord.
- I'll read the papers anyway.

But, my lord, Mr Justice Everard
is to hear it after his rape case.

- It's far too dull for Vera!
- My lord, it's not ready...

This could be an unimaginable
nightmare for local authorities.

If the claimants were to win
this, it could prevent local councils

from ever burning rubbish again.

That would be terrible, Judge.

It might prevent us
from producing so much.

No, Judge, people would
just chuck it anywhere.

I'd like all parties in court
tomorrow to hear submissions.

All rise.

Mrs Mills, I believe I have
an application from you.

Is this to be heard now,
my lord? We're not ready.

What is the application?

It's to order Cardinal
Waste Management PLC

to open their incinerators
at Peaks Farm.

- And the purpose is?
- So that the expert witness,

the epidemiologist, can take
dioxin readings from the chimneys.

Dioxins are going into the atmosphere
and have seriously affected the health

of both Mr and Mrs Peacock, who live
in what was their grandparents' cottage

adjacent to Peaks Farm.

These dioxins, we would argue,
have caused both of their children

to be born with
teratogenic deformities.

The first child, my lord,
had its heart and lungs fused

and lived only a few hours.

The other, their two-year-old daughter,
Henri, was born with spina bifida,

no nostrils and only one eye, as
you will see in the photographs.

Yes, thank you, Mrs Mills.

Mrs Channing?

We would argue that Cardinal
has fulfilled its duty to these parents.

All emissions found

were within the government's
permitted safety quotas.

How does the government
know what's safe?

Ministers do not
live next to the site.

Another issue, Mrs Mills.

Further, my lord, the claimants
are now beyond the time

set at the pre-trial hearing
for exploring the site further.

Ah, that is a problem.

The claimants are funded
by civil legal aid, my lord.

You will be aware how scarce
funding from insurance companies

is for this sort of action.

Time limits exist to free defendants
from the threat of perpetual litigation.

Cardinal haven't
exactly been helpful.

They're trying to stop
us getting to the truth.

We just want to know if they were
the cause of our baby's problems.

Yes, we understand
that, Mrs Peacock.

We don't want this to
happen to anyone else.

- Yes.
- Mrs Peacock.

I will endeavour to
find out what the truth is,

whatever it is. But unless we
follow the correct procedure,

however frustrating it might seem,
there is a danger that you could be

overturned on appeal if
you win here. Do you see?

All right. Mrs Mills, are the claimants
close to acquiring additional funding?

There is another application in
with the underwriting insurers.

We will need a substantial
amount of money to pursue this.

Is the epidemiologist wanting
to be paid for this work?

No. Most of the costs involve
shutting down the plant.

Perhaps Cardinal
could help. Hmm?

My lord, that's hardly fair
to Cardinal shareholders.

Well, their rubbish may
have caused the problem.

No, I'm ordering the
site to be made available.

This is just an expensive
fishing exercise.

To shut down the plant,
costs £30,000 a day.

Which is a small price
to pay for peace of mind.

And that's what Cardinal and the local
residents will get if nothing's found.

So I want the case back
in 10 days. Mr Harrison?

Yes, my lord, that
will be the 29th.

29th.

My lord, I would urge you
to reconsider this matter.

No, Mrs Channing. I have ruled.

I've managed to secure a case, Coop,
but I'm beginning to wish that I hadn't.

The pictures of that
child are harrowing.

Ah, John.

The DCA is pressing
for you to go to Warwick

to lecture would-be judges.

Won't I prove a
corrupting influence?

I earnestly counsel you
to go, out of harm's way.

Ian! ROCHESTER: Home Secretary.

How on earth is Deed

hearing the case against
Cardinal Waste Management PLC?

I understood it
was in safe hands.

It Was. Deed hijacked it.

It will return into safe
hands, I can assure you.

Can you be as sure about
the embezzlement case

involving Sir Tim
Listfield's PA?

Oh, yes. We're giving it to a
recorder. No one is more consistent.

I hope you're right. I cannot
emphasise enough how important it is

that this matter
is resolved swiftly.

Matters are reaching crisis point
with you grabbing the Cardinal case.

I'm doing what I'm good at.

You're setting yourself
against your brother judges.

You're setting
yourself above us.

There are rules and procedures
that govern jurisprudence.

No one judges above that.

If you don't like those
rules, John, resign.

Our rules need
changing, Michael.

We have a head of the
criminal justice system

who thinks he can
interfere when he wants to.

And you're lending weight to
the argument. You must stop.

Go to Warwick or the
consequences could be extreme.

- John, you're only going to Warwick.
- Feels like Siberia.

- You don't have to go.
- I've got no choice.

Have I been insensitive
about Michael?

He was such a gift.

What are you saying?

I don't know.

I think I'm scared
that you might have

missed your opportunity
with him because of me.

Oh... We think commitment
is going to change our lives,

that we won't be able to cope,

and all the time that's
what we really want.

Life-changing opportunities.

And that's what I
want, Jo. I really do.

Well, we can't get him back
for our own selfish needs.

Are they selfish?

He's happy with his
father. I have to believe that.

I love you, John.

No matter what you
do, I will always love you.

Perhaps that makes
me dysfunctional.

Barristers can't enter this
way, it's for judges only.

- I'm sitting as a recorder.
- Beg your pardon, Your Honour.

- Park in any of the bays.
- Thanks.

We have a very nice embezzlement
for you, Jo. Don't we, Peter?

- I'm only sitting for 10 days.
- Perfect.

The hearing is set
down for eight days.

The evidence is straightforward.
Judge Lancaster was to hear it,

but his fraud case
is running over.

I'll show you what
chambers you could use.

Thank you.

- Thanks.
- Judge Shakespeare's off sailing.

Well, bet he doesn't like
his things being disturbed.

Well, he was a judge
advocate in the navy.

Doesn't put up with
any nonsense in court.

- Well, I'd best get reading, Judge.
- Ben, call me Ben.

Jo, we're a little
bit short-staffed,

but I've asked Peter Wilson
to keep an eye on you.

But I'll be around if
you need any advice.

Thanks.

Mr Cantwell respectfully
requests that you know your place.

All rise.

Will the defendant please rise?

Rufus Barron, you are
charged with eight offences

of obtaining property,
namely money, by deception,

contrary to Section 15 and
15A of the Theft Act of 1968,

by using cheques and
false money transfers

to obtain from your
employer, Sir Tim Listfield,

the sum of £4.4 million.

How do you plead,
guilty or not guilty?

- Not guilty.
- You may sit down.

Ah, Mr Cantwell. Am I
going to hear from you?

Yes, Your Honour. We would
argue that there is no case to answer.

All the money in Mr Barron's
account was, in fact, given to him

via transfers signed
by Sir Tim Listfield.

Is there evidence
to support that?

Mr Barron's defence is
that he and Tim Listfield

were going to set
up home together.

The £3.7 million
was for that purpose.

I thought Tim Listfield
was well known

for the famous women
he's frequently seen with.

The prosecution's case is that
the defendant stole £4.4 million.

The additional £700,000 has never
been traced to accounts held by my client.

That doesn't mean
he didn't embezzle it.

I think you know, Mr
Cantwell, that submissions

for no case to answer
are for a later stage.

Let's have the jury in.

Mrs McEwan, how long have you been
Director of Human Resources at One-Way?

A year and eight months.

Were you responsible
for hiring the defendant?

Yes, when I was personnel
manager at Whittakers,

the military
communications corporation.

He came to the firm about
five-and-a-half years ago

as an accountant. He
was good at his job.

What was his job?

To bear down on costs.

After Whittakers was taken
over the new managing director,

Sir Tim Listfield, found
him very energetic.

Was there any sort
of sexual relationship

between Mr Barron
and Tim Listfield?

No.

Mr Barron admired him
and was fiercely loyal.

But, then, Sir
Tim inspires that.

There was certainly
nothing sexual.

Rufus may have fantasised
about such a relationship.

But Sir Tim is quite
definitely heterosexual.

You know that from personal
experience with Sir Tim?

It's a legitimate question.

Well, Mrs McEwan? Did you
have sex with your employer?

- We did have a relationship.
- A sexual relationship?

- Yes.
- Just so the jury recognises your bias.

Despite your sexual
relationship with him,

Tim Listfield relied
totally on Mr Barron.

He was closer to Listfield
than you ever were.

He certainly relied on him to
keep his financial matters in order,

but there was nothing
sexual between them.

Did you know that Mr
Barron was arranging

all sorts of corporate hospitality
for Tim Listfield and his associates?

- That would have been part of his job.
- Did you know that that included

paying prostitutes with whom
Listfield would spend the night?

I don't believe it.

Clearly, you don't know Tim
Listfield as well as you thought you did.

Isn't it true that he
has vast appetites?

Sexual and material.

- Yes?
- Your Honour,

Sir Tim Listfield is a
well-respected businessman.

This assault on his
character is hardly relevant.

Much of this case hinges on
one man's word against another's.

I think the victim's character
and history are very relevant.

Bisexual contact is not necessarily
excluded from those appetites.

Is it?

Mrs McEwan?

What else is the judge
going to allow in open court?

I'm assured the case is
being carefully managed, Tim.

That's not how it appears to me.
Why is Jo Mills sitting as the judge?

She acted for a claimant
who sued my company.

That's an entirely
separate matter.

We don't want this
getting away from us, Neil.

Perhaps it was ill-considered
to pursue this prosecution.

The CPS assured me
it was open and shut.

Let me talk to someone.

Why was this case
given to Mrs Mills?

Temporary judges
are usually amenable.

You could have given it to
any recorder, any judge but her.

The government doesn't want this
case to become a political football.

Sir Tim Listfield is important to
this country for all sorts of reasons.

Defence being one.

We will get her on board, Ian.

- Hello, Ben.
- How was your second day, Jo?

- Well, like my first, nerve-wracking.
- But the evidence is straightforward.

How am I doing?

You're giving the defence
a great deal of slack.

Cantwell will take
advantage. Rein him in.

I'm sorry.

That bisexual tack, and the
prostitute, wasn't really evidence, was it?

No, I suppose it wasn't, but...

Sir Tim Listfield is
the victim here, Jo.

You shouldn't allow any
extraneous nonsense.

I wouldn't want people to
think that you are prejudiced

because of your previous
run-in with Listfield.

Jo! A friendly voice.

- Is it friendly?
- How are you getting on?

It's like the Arctic
wastes, decidedly chilly.

At lunch and dinner my fellow
judges hardly speak to me.

- Did you hear from Michael?
- Not since his call to say he'd arrived.

You sound down.

Oh, I hope you're turning out
better judges than me, John.

I'm sure you're doing fine.

I thought I was until the
resident judge took me aside.

It's like being back at school.

Just push back.

I wish I was there.

I wish you were.

Listen, I've got to go.

I'll call you. Bye-bye. Bye-bye.

- Ah, sorry.
- She was heading through the wire.

If only we could all
shrink down to her size

and escape for an hour or two.

- John Deed.
- I know. Morag Hughes.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Your lecture on sentencing
was pretty hard-hitting.

Oh, good, good, good.
We have a Home Secretary

who thinks the criminal justice
system is an anachronism.

Can he be so capricious?

Well, if only he was,
I could forgive him,

but he panders to a sometimes
vengeful public, doesn't he?

- Yet offending rates continue to rise.
- Are you surprised?

He favours a punitive system that
was seen to be useless 300 years ago.

Oh!

I have another lecture.

Bye.

- Stay.
- Well, isn't it worth going to?

You won't get your brownie
points if you don't go.

No. I better had then.

Hello.

John?

Who is this?

Oh, sorry, Your Honour. I
thought it was an intruder.

- I feel like one. You can lock up.
- Goodnight, Your honour.

Could you walk me
out of the building?

I have a horror of being
trapped in these places at night.

Never remembering all
the codes to the locks.

Sergeant Halesworth,
when you searched

the defendant's flat and
office, what did you find?

At his flat we found a
whole wall of photographs

of Sir Tim and Barron.
Most were of Sir Tim.

Did he say why these were there?

No, but we also found a number of
personal items belonging to Sir Tim.

- Did he explain why he had these?
- He said Sir Tim had given them to him.

Sir Tim said he had
simply mislaid them,

a pen, gold cufflinks,
monogrammed shirts.

We also found a
receipt for a Porsche,

a jewellery receipt for two matching
designer wrist watches worth £44,000.

A Spanish bank statement

and correspondence
from a Spanish solicitor

over the purchase of a
villa on the Costa Blanca.

Did Mr Barron have the income
to support such spending?

No, sir. He earned £48,000.

We did trace £3.7 million to
accounts controlled by the defendant.

The money had left
Mr Listfield's account

by means of money transfers,
transferred by Mr Listfield.

When we asked Mr
Listfield about this,

he said he wasn't
aware of signing these.

Further investigation
uncovered two cheques drawn

on Sir Tim's account
forged by the defendant

for £300,000 and
£400,000 in cash.

We've yet to trace
these amounts.

The villa in Spain was
expensive by British standards.

£550,000!

Yes. All the floors, some
walls and the pool were marble.

An expensive car, matching
designer wristwatches.

Things that would not go
unnoticed in Mr Barron's life?

No, sir, they wouldn't.

Some of these
items were purchased

six months before Listfield's
allegations against Mr Barron.

He obviously kept
his purchases hidden.

When you pressed Mr
Barron about these purchases,

what was his final answer?

He said he'd bought
them for Sir Tim Listfield.

He said they were in love.

He used Tim Listfield's money
to purchase items for Tim Listfield.

Why, then, was he charged
with theft and deception?

Sir Tim had no knowledge
of the purchases.

£3.7 million was taken
from his accounts.

Sir Tim is a billionaire.

A few million could be withdrawn
without him immediately noticing.

You choose to believe he
had no knowledge of this?

Yes, sir.

Was there something inherently
more trustworthy about him?

His knighthood perhaps?

Does he have a proven
track record for truthfulness?

- I would imagine he does, sir.
- You imagine, Sergeant?

Is that a contradiction in terms?
An imaginative policeman?

Mr Cantwell, amusing,
but not relevant.

Would you say Tim
Listfield was being truthful

when he over-valued his company
in order to secure third-generation

phone licences from the DTI? Or
when, on taking over Whittakers,

he promised all the jobs were safe,
then sacked 35% of the workforce.

Your Honour, this really
has no bearing on the case.

It might have.

But only if Mr Cantwell asks
Sir Tim Listfield that question

rather than this police officer.

This judge is paying
us back for our past.

I'd say she is.

How long will I be here?

They never specify, Tim.

I got called yesterday. Are
you in the mugging case?

I can't waste time here, Clive.

I'll speak with someone, boss.

As the criminal justice system

comes under increasing
pressure from government,

the most contentious issue
that you will ever have to

deal with as judges is
separation of powers.

The purpose of the
criminal law courts

is to determine whether a
defendant is guilty as charged.

Politicians should not and must
not play any part in that process,

and it's up to judges to
resist them when they try.

This Home Secretary is neither
enamoured of the judiciary

nor enthusiastic about
juries, while every day

he's forcing through legislation

that has the gravest
consequences for our civil liberties.

We tend to acquiesce in
the erosion of our rights

by our ignorance and indolence.

So, the question I put to you is
this, how can judges hold the line?

Is it up to judges to do that?

In a democracy we elect politicians
to enact laws to make a safe society.

In an ideal world, that would
be the case. But consider this.

A parliament that is elected by
an ill-informed and apathetic public,

will consist largely of
power-hungry self-interest.

- Where does the fault lie, Judge?
- Well, with each one of us.

We must all take responsibility

for the fact that certain
elements of government

are removing some of the
safeguards to effective protest.

It's up to judges to stand firm.

Can one man ever prove
bigger than the system?

No.

But he can provide
an effective brake

to a process that is
accelerating out of control,

and cause it to be
examined more closely.

Any other thoughts?

My concern is whether
the evidence from my wife

would be solid enough
to sanction Deed.

You really need the woman
he allegedly slept with.

We'll risk what we have, Monty,
while the judges are with us.

Mr Powell, how
long have you been

Sir Tim Listfield's account
manager at your bank?

Just over four years.

So you'd know his
signature, we can assume?

- Yes.
- Could you look at these statements,

Lines 15 to 24, the money transfers,
and tell me who signed these?

- Sir Tim Listfield did.
- And where did the money go?

Into accounts controlled
by the defendant.

Money freely given
to him by Tim Listfield?

Sir Tim Listfield says he
knew nothing about them.

And you believed him?

Yes, I did.

Then we come back to the
question, who is the more honest?

Listfield or Barron?

Well, Mr Barron did forge Sir
Tim's signature on two cheques

for cash totalling £700,000.

Thank you, Mr Powell.

Unless you tell me what you did
with that £700,000, we're stuffed.

- I can't tell you, Mr Cantwell.
- I can't defend you unless you do.

Those two cheques for cash
remove all of your credibility.

- I gave it to Tim.
- What?

£300,000 and £400,000
in cash? What for?

- Rufus, you forged his signature!
- He asked me to.

- It wasn't the only time.
- Oh, so what are you telling me?

He asked you to forge his signature?
Is he stealing from his company?

No.

He would never
do anything wrong.

He was so busy. I had to
run lots of things for him.

Yes. Did he need cash?

- I'm sorry.
- Rufus, you could go to prison.

I can't say.

It seems there was a culture at
One-Way whereby Rufus Barron

would sign cheques for Tim Listfield
and draw out large sums of cash.

- Is he saying what for?
- No, he won't say.

Either he's protecting
him or he's scared.

Either way, I'd like to
subpoena bank records

back as far as Rufus Barron
taking over Tim Listfield's affairs.

This is ridiculous. You
can't do that this late on.

Well, if it helps
us to find the truth.

Our defence is that Listfield
gave Barron the money.

The untraced £700,000
from cheques Barron forged

was drawn at the
request of Tim Listfield.

Finding further cheques
could corroborate that.

Your man's a fantasist, Brian!

With all fantasists there's
always an element of truth.

- Is there enough to start this search?
- We'll only know by looking.

I will adjourn and let you
search the bank records.

- Judge, Tim Listfield is not on trial.
- No, I know.

I'll pulverize that little rat.

Someone's got to get
a hold of this trial, Clive.

I was assured it would
be straightforward.

We can't stop the defence looking at
the records now the judge has ruled.

- What did you get, Steve?
- The girls in MI5 say

this judge is very emotional.
Lots of pressure points.

Jo.

It would be as well
not to let the defence

delve into Listfield's
business affairs.

It depends on its
relevance, doesn't it, Judge?

Ben, we're all friends
on this side of the bench.

Now, this is a
clear-cut case, Jo.

The money was taken
from Listfield's account

- and ended up in Barron's account.
- Mmm-hmm.

Keep the whole thing running smoothly.
Justice delayed is justice denied.

Swift results are what we want.

Now, my door is always open,
Jo, if you need any advice.

That's what the resident
judge is there for.

Just what does Rufus Barron
know about your business, Tim?

Nothing very alarming.

At the risk of repeating myself,

I don't think this case
should have been brought.

Tough on crime?
Isn't that your stand?

It was still an
unnecessary risk.

Neil, he dipped his snout into
my trough and took £3.7 million.

Perhaps he was relying on
you not doing anything about it.

Then he'll get a big surprise.

John, I've never
felt so pressured.

The resident judge clearly
thinks I'm going to mess up.

Oh, everybody thinks they
know better than a recorder, Jo.

- Just keep pushing for the truth.
- He told me not to waste time.

Hey, hey, come
on! You're the judge.

Listfield is thoroughly corrupt.

Expose that and
you lance the boil.

- I wish I felt as confident as you.
- Look, just keep your nerve, Jo.

Couldn't you come back
from exile and help me?

Well, it seems that I don't
have very many friends at court.

Those I do have, have
counselled me to stay put.

I got a bag, don't
worry. Thank you.

- I have a message from Michael.
- What?

He says he's still safe.

Hey, wait. Are you all right?

Did you see?

- Hello.
- Is Marc there?

Dr Thompson's just
going into theatre.

Can I speak to him,
please? It's Jo Mills.

I'll see if I can
get him for you.

- Jo! How nice.
- Is Michael all right?

- Yes, he's fine. He's in school.
- Are you sure he's all right?

Of course. You okay? Jo?

Yes. Yes, I'm fine.

I'll talk to you later.

Your Honour, our search of
Tim Listfield's bank records

has revealed some further 18
cheques signed by Rufus Barron for cash.

Listfield hasn't claimed that
any of this was stolen from him.

We would like to offer this evidence
for examination by the prosecution,

and expert witness.

Your Honour, I must
protest this late evidence.

If the police investigation
had been more thorough,

they might have discovered this.

Regardless, it's still too late.

I will allow it. How
much time will you want?

Well, 24 hours, I suppose.

Is there anything useful
we could do meanwhile?

I could get on with
the examination in chief

of Sir Tim Listfield.

Then let's get the jury back.

I have never, I would never, I
could never allow Rufus Barron

or anyone else to
sign my cheques.

Not only is it against the law,
under the Proceeds of the Crime Act,

it would leave me
totally vulnerable to theft.

It's a crazy notion.

Jo.

You shouldn't be
letting this evidence in.

- But what he's found is relevant.
- Ridiculous.

Sir Tim Listfield is not on trial here.
He's one of our leading industrialists.

Now, get a proper
grip on proceedings,

or you'll be obliged
to discharge the jury.

Why should the jury be
discharged? How can it?

I think it's Listfield. You know
how well connected he is.

- The resident judge is supporting it.
- You're not making any sense.

Is Ben hearing the
case through you?

Well, he's certainly trying
to tell me how to conduct it.

Are you losing it, Jo?

I thought I was doing all right.

I'm doing what you suggested,
putting pressure on Listfield.

But it's gone wrong.

Then fight back. I'll help.

Let me see this evidence
that Cantwell's found.

- Would you, John?
- Yes, of course.

Thank you.

Did you hear from Michael?

Something strange
happened in the marketplace.

A man said that
Michael was safe.

- What sort of man?
- I don't know.

It was weird.

Good evening, Your
Honour. Just checking.

- Jo, are you all right?
- Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just a bit jumpy.

It was the security guard.

Is Michael all right?

Yes, yes, he's
having a great time.

He really likes
his half-brothers.

Oh, that's good.

I do miss him though.

Yeah.

Let me see the new evidence.

All right. Thanks,
John. Bye-bye.

- Can I help you?
- Sorry to disturb you, Mrs Mills.

Henderson is my name.
Could you come with us?

It's a matter that
concerns national security.

What do you mean?

If you don't mind, madam.

Would you mind telling
me where we're going?

I'm not at liberty to say.

Could I see your
ID again, please?

Excuse me.

- Jo.
- John.

Jo?

Do you want to try mine?

Do you know where we are?

I think it's time to explain.

Exactly why am I here?

Oh, that's not for
me to say, Mrs Mills.

Well, someone's got to tell me.

In due course.

It's depressing
about your little boy.

Michael, isn't it?

What's happened?
What are you saying?

I'm just making conversation.

How do you know Michael?

You must be careful.

Accidents happen. Look.

Michael.

No.

Oh, my God.

Oh, God.

Did you get much
from the lectures?

The administrative judge advised
me not to socialize with you.

Why is that?

You mean you don't know?

Yet you chose to
ignore that advice.

I think you're dangerous.

I like that.

Do you?

Excuse me, Judge.

Mimi.

Something seems to
have happened to Mrs Mills.

Mr Harrison said she
wasn't in court this morning.

She's not answering
either of her phones.

Has he checked with the police?
She might have had an accident.

Hello, this is Jo Mills.

Please leave a message
and I'll call you back.

Jo, this is John.
Can you call me?

Judge, the administrative
judge is after you.

- Oh, goody.
- John!

I'd strongly advise
against leaving.

In fact, I'd go further. There could
be very serious consequences

if you desert your post.

I'm sure you'll find a
replacement for me, Alan.

John.

Jo! Jo!

Jo, it's John!

Jo!

Jo!

Jo, what happened?
Are you all right?

Are you all right? What?

No, this can't happen.
I won't let it happen.

We'll bounce them
straight into jail.

Who? They didn't give
me their business cards.

- It has to be connected to Listfield.
- Stop it.

When I saw that window plummet to
the ground I thought I was going, too.

- They are not getting away with this.
- How are you going to stop them?

But if they can do it to you, they'll
think they can do it to anybody.

I don't care!

They threatened Michael.

- You are not gonna abandon this trial.
- Stop it, stop it.

I won't let you.

Hello.

Yes, this is John Deed.

I see.

Uh-huh.

Thank you.

Stay very close on this one.
I want no stone left unturned.

Yes, thank you. Thank you.

- There is a Maurice Henderson in MI5.
- And?

He's on sick leave.

The building belongs to the MOD.
It's been empty for over a year.

And there are no
windows missing.

There's full-time security
and CCTV cameras.

Nobody saw you enter,
nobody saw you leave.

There was nothing
captured on the cameras.

They must have turned them off.

They were on all night. The
police looked at every tape.

I can't go through
with this trial, John.

Yes, you can.

I thought they were
abandoning the trial.

It seems there's another
judge on the scene.

Can they do this?

I don't think so.

We are finding out now.

I've got to make a call.

Neil, I'm the victim,
not the perpetrator.

This is getting completely
out of hand. Do something.

Hold on a moment.

Pull over.

Tim, what does this PA know?

That's not the point.
Take this seriously.

I am.

As long as Barron doesn't know
why he was forging those cheques

they can only
incriminate him further.

- He doesn't know what the cash was for?
- Of course not. He's a PA, that's all.

Good. Let me call someone.

I'll ring you right back.

Ian. Neil Haughton.

I'm led to believe Deed is
trying to take over this case.

I know. It's not acceptable.

Ian, this could threaten
the government.

I do understand, Home Secretary.

We'll make sure it doesn't.

Tell me, how?

The right decision was
to abandon this trial.

It's not my view, Ben.

But this is not your case.
You can't take it over, John.

Lord Merriman in Bolton v
Bolton was quite clear about that.

I'm not taking it over.

Mrs Recorder Mills is
still the judge of record.

She's still there for
the interlocutions.

I am a High Court
judge sitting as I would

to advise a probationer.

As much as I might enjoy
bringing Deed to heel,

how do you propose it's done?

You are the presider, Monty.

- You have the authority.
- Only if he accedes to it.

I'll speak to him.

It's your flouting the
rules like this, John,

that's put you beyond the pale.

- I'm trying to uphold the law.
- That's not how it appears.

A High Court judge should be
the very embodiment of the law,

not put himself above it.

There is political pressure
on this case and I won't have it.

John, you're becoming obsessed
with corruption in high places.

Sir Tim Listfield is not on
trial, nor is the Home Secretary.

Maybe they should be.

That's not for you or
Mrs Mills to decide.

If you do, the rule of law
will start to break down.

Oh, God, man. Do we have to
kidnap you to save you from yourself?

Was Mrs Mills kidnapped?

I believe what she told me.

I've always found her too emotional
for the bar, much less the bench.

If you don't stand
back from this,

I'm going to have to talk
to the Lord Chief Justice.

Jo, we can do this.

What if they hurt Michael?

We can't allow ourselves to
be held to ransom in this way.

If we do,

the law is lost.

Come on.

With respect, my lord.

Are you now hearing the case
instead of the learned recorder?

No, Mr Sorrell, I'm sitting
as a winger, as is my right.

Refer all points of
law to Judge Mills.

Mr Cantwell?

Your Honour, the handwriting
expert has confirmed that the

18 additional cheques for cash
were forged by Rufus Barron.

Mr Cantwell, this could indicate

that your client is involved
in additional crimes.

No. We would argue
there was a culture

whereby the defendant was encouraged
to sign cheques on Listfield's behalf.

Only if the jury agrees

that the defendant wasn't
stealing from his employer.

If you run this as
part of your defence

the CPS could be obliged to add
further charges to the indictment.

Might I have a
short adjournment?

20 minutes, Mr Cantwell.

All rise.

Don't go there, Mr
Cantwell, please.

Don't ask me about
those cheques.

It's the only way
I can defend you.

It's clear the cheques
were forged by you,

but we have to know
where the money went.

Because it doesn't
look good, Rufus.

You were drawing out huge sums of
cash. It looks like you were stealing it.

I can't tell you.

Are you protecting
someone other than Listfield?

Look, Rufus, having a love affair
and his giving you the money,

it's a perfectly valid defence.

It only falls down if
you had the money

from his forged signature and
we don't show where it's gone.

I won't hurt Tim.

No matter what he does to me.

What he's doing to
you is ruining your life.

It was a bribe.

Over a business deal.

Well, I guessed that much.

Who for?

I can't tell you.

You mean you won't.

Mr Cantwell?

We are not going
to pursue the culture

that allowed Rufus Barron
to sign Listfield's cheques.

I would instead like to
resume by cross-examining

Sir Tim Listfield.

Sir.

Do you know how much
money you have in the bank?

Not enough for
bloated rats to steal.

Didn't you, in fact, give
Mr Barron the money?

Why would I give
him £4.4 million?

Because he promised
you love and loyalty.

Mr Cantwell, you're
either a complete fool

or a fantasist like your client.

Answer the question.

A lot of people working
for me are loving and loyal.

I treat them right.

I don't give them my
hard-earned millions.

All the money that
went into accounts

controlled by Mr Barron
was money transferred by you,

that you signed over to him.

What about the £300,000 and the
£400,000 he forged cheques for?

That money has never
been traced to the defendant.

Well, he forged my signature.

You badly used your vulnerable PA,
who was helplessly in love with you,

asking him to hide away money
from the woman you were divorcing,

under the pretence that
you'd run away together.

You're talking about
nearly £4.5 million.

I could have half the
country for that sort of money,

if I was so inclined.

Is that how you saw Mr Barron?

As a commodity to serve
your sexual appetite?

He stole my money.

You are bisexual?

Do I have to answer this drivel?

You can simply say
you're not, if it's not true.

Well, of course it's not
true. I've had three wives.

That must mean something,
even in this cock-eyed court.

Sometimes marriage is a
means to disguise the fact.

You'll just have
to take my word.

Oh, I'm sure the jury will
happily take your word, sir,

just as the DTI did

when you inflated the
value of your company

in your application for
third-generation phone licences.

Just as the workers at Whittakers
did before you sacked 1400 of them

after promising you wouldn't.

But I did keep
another 4000 in work.

Sir, I put it to you
again. You are bisexual.

The money you gave
Mr Barron was a nest egg

for the two of you to set
up a secret home together,

and to stop, I quote,

"My money-grabbing
wife from getting it."

I've reached a
settlement with my ex-wife.

And once you'd
reached that settlement

you demanded the return of the
money you'd had Mr Barron hide.

But he believed your story
that you'd run away together.

He was serious about you.
He wanted to make it work.

So you cast him aside and accused
him of stealing your money. Yes?

You're as mad as he is.

I'm heterosexual.

I've never had sex with
a man. Not any man.

And if I did it certainly wouldn't
be with a fat poof like that.

Tim, I've lost
weight like you said.

Rufus, listen to me.

Whatever you had or think
you have with Tim Listfield,

it's over.

- But I did lose the weight.
- Rufus, look at me.

It's a fantasy.

He doesn't give a fig about you
or your feelings. He never did.

He'd happily see you
go to jail for 10 years.

The only way that can
happen is by keeping quiet

and not telling about
those two cash payments

for £300,000 and £400,000.

Rufus, can you imagine what
10 years in clink will be like?

It won't be pleasant.

Stop protecting Listfield.

Tell me where the money went.

Will you tell me?

Your Honour, a matter of
grave concern has arisen.

Might I see you in chambers?

All rise.

Mr Barron said £700,000
cash withdrawals

were a bribe for over-runs
on defence contracts.

- Is there evidence of that, Brian?
- He says there is.

Oh, it gets worse.

The bribe was for
a cabinet minister.

That is a very
serious allegation.

It is likely to incriminate
your client as well as Listfield.

I did warn him of that.

Did he name the minister?

He did.

Only two items on your bank
statement remain unexplained.

Only two items have any
interest to this court at the moment.

17 and 24.

Cash withdrawals for £300,000
and £400,000 respectively.

That's a lot of cash.

Almost three quarters
of a million pounds.

Can you tell us
what happened to it?

- No, I can't.
- Oh, you can't.

Or you won't?

Well, I assume my thieving
PA took it to fuel his fantasies.

We can account for all
the money you gave him.

I gave him nothing
apart from his salary.

£300,000 and £400,000 in cash.

Huh?

Well?

Well, ask him.

He forged my signature.

On your instructions

so that you could distance yourself
from the money, is that not so?

No.

Isn't it also true you used
the money for a bribe?

I know nothing of any bribe.

Isn't it true that you
bribed a cabinet minister?

You needn't answer
that question if you feel

that it might incriminate you.

Well, it certainly will
if I don't answer it.

Mr Cantwell, your
client is a total fantasist.

And isn't it true
that these payments

were for helping facilitate
double and triple billing

for equipment on defence contracts
that were ludicrously over budget?

- Total garbage.
- Sir, I ask you again.

Were the two cash
withdrawals on your account

for £300,000 and £400,000,
Lines 17 and 24 on the statement,

money to bribe a
cabinet minister?

No.

And whoever told
you that is a total liar.

Oh, it is you who has the
record for lies and deception.

Is it not, sir?

Get Deed off this
embezzlement case.

We're trying. He
doesn't respond.

Well, this is ridiculous. Aren't
you in control of your judges?

At this rate they'll be running
the country instead of the cabinet.

Is the Lord Chancellor up
for Deed's public humiliation?

Let's try the newshounds first.

Is there nothing
else in your canon?

Only a move to split
him away from Mrs Mills.

She is still officially
running the case.

Thank you, Rosie.

Two great legal minds.

I'm optimistic of a solution.

Neither Joe nor I can find
the answer you want, Ian.

But Deed slept
with the claimant,

and before giving judgement.

- That is a separate issue.
- And he gave judgement against her.

Perhaps she was a poor lover.
That hardly excuses him, Joe.

It does not.

This judge is
completely out of control.

There must be some way
to bring him to account.

Yes, Ian. Impeach him.

I hardly think the
Lord Chancellor

will welcome that degree
of publicity for the bench.

With what Deed is threatening to
expose, he may have no choice.

- Hello.
- Jo, it's me. Are you ready?

Sir John. Jill Miro.

I'm a journalist. Do you mind
if I ask you some questions?

Yes, I would mind.

Is it true you had extra-marital
relations with a woman

who was a claimant
in your court?

- Did you ask the claimant?
- Yes, I did.

Then you have your answer.

Perhaps you'd like to set
the record straight, Sir John.

All right. Extra-marital
means adulterous.

Adultery is voluntary
sexual intercourse

between a married man and
a woman who is not his wife.

- I'm not married.
- But you shouldn't have done it.

It seems you've
written your story.

Sorry about all this.

- Feeling any better?
- A bit.

Little by little, huh?

Sir John, did you have an
affair with Morag Hughes

at the Judges'
Seminar in Warwick?

Any comment, Sir John?

Sir John, any comment?

Would you believe me if
I told you it wasn't true?

I'd be obliged to. You're
a High Court judge.

She was a plant. I
spotted her a mile off.

I think Laurence
James put her on to me.

I don't know where I
fit into your life, John.

All that seems to drive
you is the perpetual struggle

against the club that
you so much want to be in.

John.

I've heard the DCA are
intending to impeach you.

Surprise me.

They're going to
offer you a way out.

As shabby as this is,

you might be advised to take it.

Your Honour, the prosecution
declines to go on with this case.

John, can they do this?

John, what should I do?

This isn't acceptable.

I think it best if I
direct the jury to acquit.

No.

Mr Sorrell, you've
closed your case.

Mr Cantwell should have
the opportunity to present his.

But we would argue for a
dismissal. There is no case to answer.

That's not as I
read it, Mr Cantwell.

Let's have the jury back.

Then I intend to
call Rufus Barron.

Mr Barron,

can you tell the court

how £3.7 million came to
be in your personal account?

I took it out of Tim's account
and put it into my account.

Why did you do that?

I believed I was going
off to a new life with Tim.

This is rubbish!

I'm sorry, Tim.

Did you have any sort of
relationship with Tim Listfield

other than employer/employee?

Yes.

He plucked me out of the
accounts department of Whittakers.

We'd met at the Christmas party.

It's all lies.

- Did he make you any promises?
- He said he found me very personable.

As we got closer he said he
knew where this was going.

We couldn't fight it.

Did Listfield fight it?

No, he didn't.

He didn't want to.

He was going through such
a terrible time with his wife.

People think he's just a ruthless
businessman, but he's not.

I've seen him at
his most vulnerable.

Thank you.

Why are you here, Mr Barron?

I don't understand the question.

Why are you standing trial

instead of living the life
of luxury with Tim Listfield

with whom you say
you had an affair?

I'd put on a lot of weight.

One day he just said,
"You're too fat for me."

You're too fat?

It was very, very hurtful.

This decent,
hardworking businessman

just left you with all
his money, did he?

No, he put the police onto me.

You betrayed his trust.
You stole from him.

No, he gave me the money.

Mr Barron, you're a
fantasist. This whole story,

the love affair,
the castle in Spain,

Tim Listfield telling you to put
the money into your account

to keep it from his
divorcing wife is a lie, isn't it?

- A fantasy.
- No, it's all true.

The facts are, Mr Barron,
that you placed bank transfers

made out either to
cash or bogus concerns

in front of your busy, trusting boss
and he signed without close attention.

You repeatedly siphoned
his money into your account,

sometimes forging Sir
Tim Listfield's signature.

No, it's not true.

Tim Listfield never so
much as looked at you

with any sexual
connotation, did he?

He did. He did, he loved me.

Are you telling this jury

that a man whose name has
been connected romantically

with some of the world's most
beautiful, most glamorous women

was only pretending
to be heterosexual?

The fact is, your humble job

brought you into contact
with the super-rich

and you thought you
should be super rich.

But instead of earning your riches, you
chose to steal them from your employer,

then make up cruel, hurtful
lies to disguise what you are.

A thief and a liar

with no regard whatsoever
for Tim Listfield's feelings.

- That's not true.
- It's exactly true.

There can be no
other explanation.

Sir Tim Listfield is a
knight of the realm,

a provider of thousands of jobs,

a wealth creator,

a decent, honourable man.

What about the cash he
made me get to bribe people?

Including people in government.

- Well, this is another fantasy.
- It's the absolute truth.

Mr Barron, do you have evidence
of the people who were bribed?

Look at the statements.

Stop this now or it could
get completely out of hand.

No, it would look as if we're
suppressing sensitive evidence.

Mr Barron.

Item 13, the statement, Line 27,

the withdrawal of
£100,000 in cash.

That was a payment to two
officials in the Department of Trade.

Yes. Why were they being bribed?

To help pass double and triple
billing on defence equipment.

He also gave a minister of state

£700,000 in cash on
two separate occasions

to accept his
company's over-runs

on their original estimates
for radar equipment.

What were these, Mr Barron?

The company
estimated £680 million

to develop a new radar
system for the navy.

It went over budget
by £700 million,

due almost entirely to
double and triple billing.

- That's a lie!
- Silence.

They were extra
development costs.

Thank you, Usher.

Do you have anything
to substantiate this?

Yes.

I have photocopies
of every extra bill.

Things that were paid for twice
and three times over by taxpayers.

He bribed the minister to
sign off on these extra charges.

Line 17 and 24 on the statement,

a £300,000 and a £400,000
cash withdrawal a month apart,

which he made me
sign cheques for.

Where are these details?

My instructing solicitor
has gone to collect them

from Mr Barron's mother's house.

Thank you, Mr Cantwell.

Who was the minister?

Neil Haughton.

But he named the
current Home Secretary.

It's totally libellous.

I'll sue anyone who
prints one word of it.

What's our legal system worth

if anyone can be libelled
and with no redress?

The PM will have Deed's guts.

Mrs Channing.

- What the hell are you doing?
- Mrs Channing, my lord.

You should never
have let that happen.

- It's your way of getting back at Neil.
- No such thing.

He couldn't defend himself.
You should have defended him.

He could apply to make
a statement in open court.

- It warrants a judicial enquiry.
- Oh, with you heading it?

What are you trying to
do? Destroy Neil's career?

It's so mean-minded.

I was never that, George.
If there isn't an inquiry

it will look like a cover-up.

There's nothing to cover up.

Neil didn't take
Listfield's money.

How do you know?

How do you know, George?

They go way back before you.

That doesn't make them corrupt.

Look, I know Neil. He's
worth over 70 million.

Why would he risk his position,
his credibility, his liberty?

Because he thinks
he won't get caught.

Why do you think he
brought your father in

on the One-Way shares scam?

End this now. Stop the trial.

Or what?

I get pushed out of a window?

- It didn't happen.
- No?

I know who I believe.

Mr Cantwell, where is
your instructing solicitor

and his startling evidence?

Regrettably, my lord,
it wasn't to be found.

Do the diaries actually exist?

Mr Barron insists they do.

He said they showed minute
details of meetings with the people

he says were
bribed by Listfield.

All the meetings corresponded

with large sums of
money withdrawn in cash.

Well, he is a fantasist, Brian.

Without any evidence this
is all just speculation, John.

Is there evidence that Listfield had
homosexual relations with the defendant?

Only Barron's word.

My client was
married three times.

A new lady caused
his latest divorce,

not a man.

Possibly Mr
Barron is a fantasist.

We have to let the
jury take a view on that.

That would be
to risk reputations

that do not deserve to
be put at risk, my lord.

Listfield, civil servants,
even the Home Secretary.

All on the uncorroborated story

from a man who seems
unable to tell fact from fiction.

The alternative would shriek
cover-up, wouldn't it, Ian?

It's your call, Jo.

I would like all the evidence
thoroughly examined and investigated.

However, you are not trying
anyone other than the defendant.

You have heard all sorts of
allegations against the Home Secretary

and Sir Tim Listfield.

Allegations are not evidence.

On the other hand, where you
believe that an allegation is supported

then you may act if
you find that it's relevant.

Remember, the defendant does
not have to prove that he is innocent.

The prosecution
must prove his guilt.

Now, would you please retire
and consider your verdict?

- These are only photocopies, Steve.
- He must have the diaries well hidden.

The girls will find them.

Stand up, please.

Will the jury foreman
please stand?

On the first count
on the indictment,

obtaining property by deception,

how do you find Rufus
Barron? Guilty or not guilty?

Not guilty.

Excuse me.

Congratulations again, Rufus.

Not only are you a free
man, you're also a rich one.

Tim will never forgive
me for what I've done.

Oh, get real, Rufus.

There was no love
affair, was there?

He did ask me to hide
money from his wife.

But did he ask you to buy a sports car
and a home in Spain with his money?

- Thanks for everything, Mr Cantwell.
- Mmm-hmm.

Oh, you know he will sue
you to get his money back.

I'll take your
case on, for cash.

This situation can
only get worse.

Not only is Deed pushing
for a judicial inquiry

into the affairs of
Haughton and Listfield,

he has the civil action

involving Cardinal
Waste Management PLC.

It's a sister company
of Listfield's.

You can't take the case away
from him now he's started it.

We can, Monty, and we will.

You must wrest it back.

I will not.

Then we will draft in
Michael Niven to do so.

Ah, Mimi.

Mrs Mills, might I
have a word with John?

Of course.

You were quite right
to resist that offer.

It was scandalously political.

It's beginning to feel as
though we are all working

for Her Majesty's
Government PLC.

Just be careful.

Thanks, Monty.

He hopes you'll consider
sitting full time as a judge, Jo.

It gets better and better.

John, nobody believes
what happened.

I do.

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