Original subtitles

Operation Lighthouse...

Re the unsolved murder of Gail Vella

on September 10th, 2019.

Deborah, did you see this man?

He looked, um, different.

Different, different?

The other man.

He did it.

You all right, Terry?

Tonight, I believe there was an attempt

on Terry Boyle's life, sir.

This department is grateful for your cooperation.

PC Ryan Pilkington.

Davidson brings him into the fold

and he just happens to be escorting Terry

the night Terry nearly drowns.

We're losing our power to challenge lies.

...there's some people you can't challenge.

I take pride in the courage and professionalism

of my counterterrorism officers.

What is the motive for Gail Vella's murder?

All right, she's a controversial journalist,

but there's no evidence to suggest that she dug up

anything that wasn't there before...

Maybe she was working on something that would.

-I'm being framed! -I'm thinking we should get

a warrant to expand the forensic search

of Farida's house.

Armed police! Armed police!

Drop your weapon! Drop your weapon!

Down on your knees.

I'm interested in one thing

and one thing only.

And that's bent coppers.

We want to work with you, Superintendent,

not against you.

You really have been working Anticorruption

too long, ain't you?

DI Arnott? Sir,

you've been listed for routine drugs testing.

Please follow me.

Proceedings against Deborah Devereux

were dropped.

That DI was Ian Buckells.

This way please, sir.

I'm just glad the guilty party's been found.

Thanks, everyone, as you were.

-Of course. -Mmm-hmm.

By now, you'll all know about

Detective Superintendent Buckells.

Earlier, I had a good conversation

with Chief Superintendent Khan.

I made it clear that the wrongdoing

of one rotten apple shouldn't be held

against MIT officers who have always

and will always carry out our duty

with the utmost integrity.

-Well said. -Nice one, boss.

Nothing's going to affect

bringing Gail Vella's murderer to justice.

We do now have to accept that certain leads

may have been overlooked,

specifically the possibility of a burglary

accompanying Gail's murder.

-Kate. -Boss.

There was no sign of a break-in in Gail's home.

No evidence of a disturbance withinside the property.

It would still seem that the killer

lay in wait for her that evening.

He recognised her vehicle.

As she stepped out of the driver's side,

he stepped up behind her and discharged the fatal shot.

From examining the original investigation files

detected in DSU Buckells' vehicle,

we now know that the keys to Gail's Peugeot

weren't recovered at the scene.

This raises the possibility that the murderer seized

the keys which also included Gail's house keys,

giving him access to the property.

The murderer acted with great speed,

precision and calmness to carry out a robbery

while Gail Vella lay dead.

The fact it was late at night was the only thing

that gave him time, but still only a few minutes.

There was also an armed robbery

on the morning of our op that led to the arrest

of Terry Boyle.

Any chance there might be a link?

Let's keep an open mind.

Terry Boyle, is he still our prime suspect, ma'am?

We rule nothing in, nothing out.

Fresh slate.

Once last thing.

To ensure continuity,

I've been made Acting Detective Superintendent.

Thanks, everyone.

Yes, ma'am.

Boss, I'd like to dig a bit more

into the firearms used in the robbery

at Hickey's bookies.

Absolutely.

I'll generate an Action so it's recorded.

As I said, fresh slate.

Thanks, boss.

Congratulations on the promotion.

Sir?

Kate.

Now, this probationary constable...

Ryan Pilkington.

We'll start proceedings against him,

we'll pull him out, yeah?

Sir, we don't have much evidence.

Under questioning, he's as cool as you like.

I'd rather keep observing him.

But If he's who we suspect he is,

he could be a really nasty piece of work.

I'm only thinking of your safety, Kate.

Thank you, sir,

but if he's been groomed by an OCG

and embedded on the force,

he's linked to the institutional corruption

we've been investigating. We bring him in

we lose that lead.

Grand,

we'll just place him under surveillance.

Sir.

Look, Kate, I really appreciate you doing this.

I know it's a bit of a risk and it's probably not

what you want to be doing.

We've got a case to solve, sir.

We do. We do, indeed we do.

But you made your choice to move on.

And I know that the disciplinary action

against me was definitely a factor.

It put you and Steve in a really difficult position.

Yeah, I'm not gonna lie.

So, I only have myself to blame.

Anticorruption Unit 12 interview

of Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells

in the presence of his Solicitor

and Superintendents Association Representative

by Superintendent Hastings, DI Arnott and DC Bishop.

You are under arrest for the criminal offence

of Perverting the Course of Justice

and therefore have forfeited your right to be interviewed

by an officer at least one rank senior.

You remain under caution.

Document 9 in your folders.

Document 9 is a witness statement

provided on November 10th of this year

by Deborah Devereux as part of Operation Lighthouse.

What's your relationship to Deborah Devereux?

I don't have one.

Really?

DC Bishop.

Document 11 in your folders.

Document 11 is a Case Report,

Case Number KPS-84746,

submitted at Kingsgate Police Station

on the 13th of November 2012.

Deborah Devereux was arrested for Assault

Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm against a neighbour.

However, the neighbour subsequently

withdrew the allegation.

The officer handling the case, a DC McIntyre,

believed there had been intimidation directed

at the neighbour and sought the advice

of a more senior officer. Said officer ordered

No Further Action and all proceedings

against Ms Devereux were dropped.

Said officer was Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells.

Yeah, look. This is going back yonks.

There'd have been a good reason for dumping that case.

Yeah, there was a good reason, all right.

DI Arnott.

As part of our inquiry, we've been granted access

to your communications records.

We detected this contact in your call history

from 2012.

On screen, Image 33.

Image 33 is a screen shot of the contact

named "Debbie RGT".

This number was registered to Deborah Devereux.

We detected other contacts in a similar format.

All female first names followed by initialisms.

Other initialisms include FAF, NA, BJL.

Are you able to explain what they mean, sir?

I don't ...don't remember.

We examined your communications history

with the contact Debbie RGT.

Image 36.

Image 36 is a screen shot

of text messages between your number

and the contact named Debbie RGT's number

on 9th November 2012.

This communication took place four days

before proceedings against Deborah Devereux

were discontinued on your order.

Yeah, look...

there might've been a bit of...

It was never gonna go anywhere,

she was a suspect,

you know, that's never gonna happen.

2020, Deborah Devereux's name

comes up again, this time,

in connection with Operation Lighthouse.

Document 15 in your folders and on screen.

Document 15 is a copy of a transcript

from an interview with Deborah Devereux.

Ms Devereux subsequently took part

in a video identification parade

in which she identified Terry Boyle.

This evidence was instrumental in incriminating Terry Boyle

for the murder of Gail Vella.

Look, this was all happening without me.

Chris Lomax did that interview.

Jo Davidson was the SIO.

Yes, but it was your department!

Further inquiries failed to corroborate

Deborah Devereux's testimony.

It was only when officers began to doubt Ms Devereux's

version of events that her past came to light.

You got her off an assault charge.

She owed you.

So, then you got her to cook up this

cock and bull story about poor wee Terry Boyle.

No. I haven't seen Debbie since

back when I was working Kingsgate.

Where's the evidence of me being in touch with her

about this statement, eh, you tell me that?

While we've detected no recent communications

between you via these devices,

contact via other means hasn't been excluded;

furthermore we've established your failure to declare

a notifiable association with the witness

and serious concerns regarding her trustworthiness.

I'm being victimised here.

You are being investigated,

Detective Superintendent,

investigated without fear or favour.

DC Bishop.

Document 3 in your folders and on screen.

Document 3 is a timeline constructed by AC-12

from Operation Lighthouse files, lawfully seized

on the 4th of November, 2020, of events taking place

from the night of the 26th of October

until the afternoon of the 27th.

You'll see that the Murder Investigation Team

received information late on the 26th

that a Covert Human Intelligence Source witnessed

or claimed to have witnessed a person they knew

as "Ross Turner" confessing to the murder of Gail Vella.

According to the files we've examined,

DSU Davidson set in motion plans to raid

Turner's address. However, a delay was requested

to obtain authority from an officer

of Executive Rank, said delay being ordered

by Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells.

The highest profile unsolved murder

in this force's history.

A tip off to tell you the killer was there

for the taking. Why on earth did you delay?

This CHIS, we had no idea how reliable he was.

According to the files,

the intelligence had been graded 1A.

Okay, yeah, but, look, it was a complex op,

it needed proper planning,

not everyone going off at it half-cock.

You should've struck when the iron was hot.

You know, I'm long enough in the tooth to recognise

a decision dodger when I see one.

-That's not what happened. Oh, really?

There was another explanation, was there?

DC Bishop.

We now know the person

identifying themself as Ross Turner

was most likely Carl Banks, a violent offender

with established links to organised crime.

You'll see from the timeline that from the time

the arrest was first delayed,

surveillance was established at Banks's address,

-A Flat 4 -F Beechwood House,

the purpose being to prevent Banks fleeing.

However, the surveillance needed to be removed

for a period of three hours and 35 minutes

from 07:19 to 10:54

on the 27th of October.

Why was it removed, sir?

This was nothing to do with me.

Image 5. On screen.

Image 5 is the best the surveillance team

were able to achieve on the 27th October

without arousing suspicion.

According to the files, it was clear

the surveillance team would go on to deploy

long-lens optical devices.

As a result, the quality of images

would attain those achievable from inside the property.

The appropriate authority you should have provided

was for Intrusive Surveillance.

You authorised Directed Surveillance only.

As a result of that failure,

the surveillance team had to be pulled out

until the correct legal authority was in place.

This was all crossed wires.

I'm being scapegoated here.

Scapegoated? How dare you!

DC Bishop.

Returning to the timeline.

Surveillance was re-established at 10.54

on the 27th of October.

MIT supported by Authorised Firearms Officers

arrived at Beechwood House at 11:27.

They carried out their operation as planned

but instead of arresting Carl Banks

they found Terry Boyle in the property.

We now believe the absence of surveillance

made it possible for Carl Banks to be removed

from the address and for Terry Boyle

to be substituted.

-There's no evidence for that. No evidence?

We'll give you no evidence. Thank you, DI Arnott.

According to the Operation Lighthouse files

we've seen, there are indications

of forced entry to the property

preceding the raid by MIT.

Carl Banks was found murdered.

Postmortem examination detected signs

of a serious assault followed by forcible restraint.

That's all compelling evidence that Banks was abducted.

Yeah, but you still don't know if Banks was the one

who confessed to Gail Vella's murder.

Because the CHIS was also found dead.

The only person of any interest

in Gail Vella's murder who is still alive

is Terry Boyle.

DC Bishop.

Image 29 -B on screen.

Terry Boyle was arrested on the 27th October

and released on the 29th on police bail.

He's remained under investigation

ever since.

On the night of November 11th,

Terry Boyle was travelling in a police patrol car

en route back to his Approved Premises

when the car suddenly veered off the road

into Edge Park Reservoir.

The officer escorting Boyle, a PC Ryan Pilkington,

claimed that the driver reacted to either a gunshot

or a tyre blowout.

There's been no evidence to support either claim.

Image 45.

Do you recognise Image 45, sir?

Yeah, it's me and Ryan.

You put him forward for a commendation.

For risking his life.

-So he claims. -God's sake,

is there no one you won't knock?

He saved Terry Boyle's life.

Before he was posted to Hillside Lane,

had you ever met Ryan Pilkington before?

No.

Image 78.

Ryan Pilkington was a juvenile offender.

What?

How was I supposed to know?

Blame Vetting, not me.

Ryan Pilkington was repeatedly processed

at Kingsgate Police Station from 2009 to 2012.

You served at Kingsgate from 2009 to 2012.

Yeah. I'll tell you who else

was at Kingsgate back then, your Kate Fleming.

Did she remember him?

-Eventually, yeah. -"Eventually."

According to Operation Lighthouse files

examined by AC-12,

you advised DSU Davidson to replace PS Farida Jatri

with PC Ryan Pilkington.

What? No.

Farida's an experienced MIT Sergeant.

This kid's still on probation.

-Why the hell would I do that? -Yes. Why indeed.

Yeah, but I didn't do it!

So, Pilkington joins MIT

and the next thing we know he's in a police vehicle

that mysteriously veers off the road into a reservoir

nearly killing the only person of interest

in the murder of Gail Vella.

Jesus Christ, are you lot deaf?

How many times? He saved Terry Boyle.

Terry Boyle is the last man standing.

The OCG want him done away with to tie up the loose ends.

Did you facilitate an attempt on Terry Boyle's life?

No, of course I bloody didn't!

Yet you were responsible

for an officer with OCG connections

joining MIT.

All of these suspicious deaths

they seem to be the work of an OCG

in collusion with corrupt police officers.

Does that sound familiar?

Yeah, it rings a bell.

You've been singing the same song

for the best part of a decade.

No one's been on Operation Lighthouse

longer than you. And at no stage

have you directed the inquiry towards the obvious OCG links

to Gail Vella's murder.

I've been 100 per cent committed

-to finding her murderer. Yes, just doing

a bloody God-awful job of it, is that it?

No, no. Look,

if there were OCG links, do you not think

someone would have pointed it out to me.

They have done.

Image 87.

What is seen in Image 87, sir?

Someone's put them there.

I didn't put them there, did I?

Image 87 shows the open boot

of police service vehicle Golf X-ray, six, nine,

Yankee, Victor, Lima.

Police service vehicle Golf X-ray, six, nine,

Yankee, Victor, Lima is registered

to Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells.

In the boot are a number of Operation Lighthouse files.

Said files have been missing ever since the 4th November

when AC-12 officers entered Hillside Lane Police Station

to seize all files relating to Operation Lighthouse.

These files contain references

to a possible burglary at Gail Vella's home

on the night of her murder.

They also contain references to the hard-contact method

of execution employed by the gunman,

now the fact she was murdered outside her own home,

the unique untraceable murder weapon,

all of which are consistent with a contract killing

typically orchestrated by organised crime.

So how do you account for these files

being found in your service vehicle?

Well it's a fit up, isn't it?

Someone put them there!

My officers do not plant evidence.

We work to the letter of the law, fella, the letter!

These files show a whole line of inquiry

that's either been disregarded through negligent police work

or deliberately suppressed to protect organised crime.

And the fact that they're squirrelled away

in the boot of your car suggests the latter.

I never said that AC-12 planted them.

I've just got no idea

how they got there, that's all.

What we have here is a pattern.

A pattern of events with a clear OCG signature.

And, in each case, there is a failure

to investigate properly. Now why is that,

Detective Superintendent Buckells?

I don't know.

What do you mean you don't know?

You're the senior detective!

I don't know why I don't know.

Charge him.

-All right. -All right.

We sent Buckells back to Custody for charging.

Nice one. Got our man.

What's up, mate?

You should've seen his interview.

This bloke couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery.

Yeah. Well, that's his cover.

The armed robbery at the bookmakers

that delayed MIT getting to Carl Banks's place,

only one person caused that delay,

Jo Davidson.

Look, without Jo

we wouldn't have got Buckells.

You haven't seen the change in her I have.

Now Buckells is off her back

she's on the Gail Vella case 100%.

All I'm saying, mate, is we keep going,

gathering evidence, with an open mind.

Yeah. I know how anticorruption works.

-I'm glad to be out of it. -What's that mean?

You spend your life nicking bent coppers,

you start believing they're everywhere.

Being on a regular team, its opened my eyes.

The vast majority of them are decent, honest people,

like you and me.

Jo Davidson's really just like you and me?

Or is that what she wants you to believe?

All I'm saying, Steve, is you spend too much time

on anticorruption it starts to change

the way you see things.

Well done on Buckells.

-Night, mate.

Night.

Okay.

Ma'am.

Last time we met I thought we made ourselves

abundantly clear with our request

for full consultation.

Yet you submitted no warning of your plan

to charge Detective Superintendent Buckells.

Ma'am, as you well know, anticorruption inquiries

are of the greatest sensitivity,

obliging my officers and myself

to exercise the utmost discretion

in who we share information with.

Are you deliberately attempting to embarrass me?

I am attempting to uphold standards

in public office.

Public trust can only be maintained

where wrongdoing is held to account.

My God,

you must have been living in a different country

the past few years.

Andrea, you've been briefed.

You can't say you weren't warned, Ted.

Not only warned but a final warning.

Look ma'am,

I cannot lead my unit if, at every twist and turn,

I am being asked to second-guess

how my orders are gonna play out at HQ.

In that respect, we agree.

You've become unable to lead your team.

What?

No one wants to be vindictive here, Ted.

You've done your 30 years.

You'll be permitted to retire on your full pension.

And avoid the ignominy

of disciplinary action and dismissal.

Oh yeah, great.

Definitely no ignominy in that.

Your retirement won't appear suspicious.

The PCC and the Chief Constable have agreed

to redistribute funding to frontline services.

As a result, AC-3, AC-9 and AC-12

will merge into a single unit

under the command of a Chief Superintendent.

What about my officers?

They do not deserve this.

Clearly, anticorruption numbers must be cut.

By what? A third? Half?

More like 90%.

This is the Chief Constable down to the ground.

At the Karim Ali inquest he uttered

not one word of the truth.

God give me strength, a barefaced liar

promoted to our highest office!

All your staff will be given the opportunity to apply

for the new unit or be integrated

into other departments. The Chief Constable's

making his announcement next month.

-You've got till then, Ted. -This is a capitulation!

This is a capitulation

to criminality and corruption.

I mean, what has happened to us?

This must be a shock, Ted. I can see you're upset.

It's not a rhetorical question, ma'am.

What has happened to us?

When did we stop caring

about honesty and integrity...

Ma'am?

All firearms used by the armed robbers

at Hickey's bookies were recovered

and referenced by NABIS.

None of them match to any previous firearms offence.

This is the ejected cartridge

found close to Gail's Peugeot.

The bullet was recovered some hours later,

having continued its trajectory

and struck the wall of a neighbouring house.

The murder weapon's never been found.

The killer will have disposed of it as smartly

as he did his clothing.

I don't know why he left the cartridge, though.

Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing.

But now we know there was a burglary,

the killer had to act fast. He couldn't waste his time

looking for a cartridge in the dark

and as for a bullet, it could've gone anywhere.

To cover your tracks, you only need to dispose

of the murder weapon, provided the murder weapon

is untraceable.

Ballistics report found the bullet and cartridge

appeared to be non-standard.

Specially tailored ammunition.

Which suggests that the gun was made in a workshop,

typically from a decommissioned

firearm or replica. It's untraceable.

Okay, but none of the firearms used

in the armed robbery of the bookies were workshopped.

So we don't have a connection.

Yeah, maybe.

Maybe not.

Switch. -DI Fleming.

I need a production order.

Jake, you've already been charged

with the armed robbery of Hickey's Bookmakers Limited

on October 27th of this year,

for which you're currently on remand.

Should you be found guilty of said offence,

your cooperation today will be submitted to the judge and

may be taken into account when it comes to sentencing.

It would assist our inquiry to trace the firearms

used in the robbery.

I don't know nothing about the guns.

According to your statement of November 2nd, 2020,

in the early hours of October 27th, 2020,

you were woken at your residential address

by one of your fellow armed robbers

who you've declined to name

and briefed by him regarding the plan

to carry out an armed robbery of Hickey's bookies

Did this person provide you with a firearm?

No.

When did the guns appear, Jake?

We all met up to get organised with the van and that.

And this is when they first provided you all with guns?

Yeah.

Who supplied the firearms, Jake?

The guns was already there in a crate.

Where did this take place?

Like, a works place whatever they call 'em.

An industrial estate?

Yeah. Like a big shed.

We wasn't allowed inside.

Some bloke come out with the guns.

Were some of these firearms decommissioned guns

that had gone through conversion in a workshop?

Nobody wanted to risk one.

Didn't trust them.

So, we just left them there.

Never seen 'em again.

Can you get these back to the lab?

You all right, sir?

All done. Search complete.

What did they get?

They covered the place top to bottom.

FC said they harvested a sizeable amount of prints

and potential DNA deposits.

If anyone else was in that house

apart from Farida, we'll know.

Right. Good work.

Steve...

Kate, thanks for coming. Thank you, Chloe.

On the Gaffer's orders, we placed surveillance

on Ryan Pilkington.

This image shows Ryan Pilkington

in the vicinity of Frederico's Bar

on November 10th.

Shit! Jo Davidson and me

were there that night.

This image shows Pilkington

on Croxford Street on the night of November 8th.

Jo Davidson's home address.

You were right, Kate,

he's up to something.

GPS data from a tracking device

we placed on Pilkington's vehicle.

Unfortunately, he's refrained from making any contact

with any known elements of organised crime.

He's refrained or he knows how to drop off the radar.

Resources are stretched, ma'am.

The surveillance team just don't have the manpower.

Er, returning to the tracker.

Hot spots coincide with Hillside Lane,

Pilkington's home address and various locations

known to be visited by Jo Davidson.

He's watching her.

Or meeting with her.

You got evidence of that?

No.

Jo could be in danger.

She qualifies for an Osman Warning.

Steve's right,

we can't be certain they're not in this together.

She could tip him off about our surveillance operation.

I'm sorry, Kate, but no warning.

Look.

I just want to say that

we may not solve this in a few days

or a few weeks, or even a few months.

I mean, there really isn't any telling

if you're gonna see something like this through.

I'm just counting on all of you to carry the fire.

-All right Hey.

-Not late, am I? -Outside okay?

Yes. Sure.

I'm sorry you had to chase.

I was just worried you'd changed your mind.

Oh, right. You have.

No, it's...

I got made DI.

But that ain't a deal-breaker.

Just saves you having to call me "ma'am" all day.

Just...

I wonder if we can put this transfer on hold,

you know, delay it, just till I see how

a couple of things play out.

If that's what you want.

But I can't keep my boss hanging on for ever.

Yeah. I get it.

I'll order. Usual?

Ta.

Boss, Amanda's got an update.

Because we drew a blank on Gail Vella's personal devices,

we sought authority to examine computers

she might've used at work.

We've managed to recover another audio-file.

That's great.

It appears to be a complete and uncorrupted

audio recording of a phone call

Gail Vella made in the workplace,

hence it was saved on a hard drive.

Good work. Thank you.

I'll get it set up in a meeting room.

Ta.

Sometimes the police lie

for understandable reasons.

The mistaken shooting of Karim Ali, say.

I covered the inquest.

Well, then, you'll know his widow

offered the more plausible version of events,

an armed counterterrorism unit burst into their flat

and shot Karim dead without warning.

The absence of a warning fit with established

police tactics in the face of a suicide bomber.

You don't want to give them a chance to detonate.

Yet all the police testimony

insisted they'd given a warning

and that Karim had refused to surrender.

The inquest jury were convinced

the police were lying.

No police were prosecuted.

No one was even disciplined.

And the officer in charge

went on to become Chief Constable.

So as I was saying, this all comes

under the category of what I'd call

a police cover up designed to mitigate

reputational damage.

But sometimes the reasons for the coverup

are more obscure.

He likes the sound of his own voice, mind.

I still can't place him, sir.

...your anonymity's guaranteed.

On the podcast your voice will be completely disguised.

Well it's got to be something pretty bad if you'd

rather go with the story that you're basically

a bunch of racists.

I didn't detect a race element

in Balaclava Man.

Not Balaclava Man. Balaclava Men.

They're talking about Operation Trapdoor.

-Roz Huntley. -Go back.

I didn't detect a race element

in Balaclava Man.

Not Balaclava Man.

Balaclava Men.

-What? -Got him.

Although they weren't used in the robbery,

the suspect described seeing workshopped firearms

sounds like the type used in Gail Vella's murder.

We also believe the meeting might

have taken place in the actual workshop.

We're attempting to piece together

where it might be located.

Great work, guys, really great work.

Thanks, boss. Cheers, Chris.

Nice one, catch you later.

I need to talk to you in private.

Something wrong?

It's not personal. It's work.

I took a witness statement from Ryan Pilkington

about the reservoir incident.

And there's holes in his account.

What kind of holes?

Why Lisa lost control of the vehicle.

How come she drowned.

He's still on probation.

Maybe he was traumatised,

he can't piece the memory together.

What?

He's spying on you.

How do you know?

Because I saw him outside the pub the other night.

Look, Jo, I don't want to worry you,

but it's a trust issue.

Ryan.

Leave it.

Ma'am.

With what's happened to DSU Buckells,

I suddenly realised you might not be

awarded your commendation.

Oh.

Right.

So I talked to the Chief Super

and he's agreed I should be the one to submit it,

so its not be tarnished by DSU Buckells' situation.

Thank you very much, ma'am.

You showed courage above and beyond the call of duty.

That shouldn't go unrecognised.

I'm very grateful, ma'am.

Well, in my role, sometimes

I'm forced to give with one hand...

You see, having lost a senior detective,

I need to bring in -a new officer at DS/ -DI level,

but budget constraints oblige me

to post someone out.

I hope you realise it's nothing personal, Ryan,

but you're the most junior,

and with this commendation in the offing

I'm sure you'll have no problem

getting recruited by one of the top teams.

Thank you for everything you've done, ma'am.

It's a privilege serving on MIT.

Ma'am.

DI Arnott.

Last time we met I was in a wheelchair.

I thought you looked taller. Relatively.

James Lakewell, this is DC Chloe Bishop.

Pleased to meet you, Chloe.

Jimmy.

This is a voluntary interview.

You're not under arrest

for any further criminal offences

and are free to return to your cell at any time.

You do not have to say anything.

As a solicitor, I'm sure you're well aware.

Hmm. Well, my legal career's been somewhat curtailed.

We want to ask you some questions about Gail Vella.

Do you know who I'm referring to?

Of course.

Did you ever meet Gail Vella?

I didn't.

Did you ever speak to Gail Vella?

I didn't.

DI Arnott and I have entered into evidence

an audio recording that was made on...

the 6th July, 2019

between 10:36 and 11:04 am.

We've examined prisoner communications logs

at Blackthorn Prison which record

that you made a lawfully requested outgoing call

between these times to a number corresponding

with Gail Vella's place of work.

We've listened to the recording.

It was you.

Now, In the recording, Mr Lakewell,

you can be heard recounting information

relating to Operation Trapdoor,

for which you were convicted of all charges in 2017,

and another case which we're attempting to identify.

Always "attempting", never "achieving".

In regards to the second case,

you can be heard referring to a racist element.

Does that help with your recollection?

What was Gail Vella digging into?

Was it something that got her killed?

Listen. It doesn't bode well to speak openly

about such things.

A break in the old routine is always welcome,

but I'm beginning to feel drawn

back to four blank walls

and the saturnine faces of my fellow inmates.

Have a good day.

Lakewell didn't say much, sir.

But he's got plenty.

Why else would he have opened up to Gail Vella?

Problem is he's dropped a hint

he's concerned about prison staff.

In what way?

We know senior figures in organised crime

don't want imprisonment to be a barrier

to running their OCGs.

A few key prison officers on the payroll

is all they need.

I mean, look how Farida Jatri was silenced.

So, how do we get him to talk?

I've got a plan, sir.

Ten-eight.

Alpha Charlie Four Five, TA.

Alpha Charlie Six Four,

ARVs and TA are standing by for Windermere.

Alpha Charlie Four Five, received. Stand by.

Six Four received, ARVs standing by.

Sit there.

Go, go! Four Five, Windermere POB.

Everything's in place.

These are copies of all the relevant legal agreements,

the production order for your interview

in secure custody today,

the terms of the application to the Ministry of Justice

regarding your Immunity from Prosecution.

It's all ready to go.

You'll vanish into Witness Protection,

new name, new life.

You just spent your last night in prison.

If you tell us what we need to know.

Control, Alpha Charlie Six Four,

request sit rep.

Alpha Charlie Six Four,

State 9 en route, Windermere secure.

Received, Six Four.

Why are you so convinced I'll talk?

I never did last time.

That was before you spent the best part

of four years inside.

People with influence know I didn't grass.

They've made sure I'm well treated.

For most offenders, that doesn't sound too bad.

Roof over your head. Three meals a day.

A bit of respect from your own kind.

Thing is, Jimmy, they're not your own kind.

I've read your file.

Luxury hotels, Michelin-star restaurants,

glamorous girlfriends.

I don't pretend there isn't a downside to prison life.

But the upside is not being killed.

So why'd you risk talking to Gail Vella?

I reckon you were testing the water.

See if you could pull it off without getting caught.

Being killed is worth the risk.

If there's even the slightest chance

of getting your old life back.

Interesting analysis.

I pleaded guilty and I was sentenced.

The level of authority to reverse all that

and to enrol me in witness protection lies

way above your pay grade.

At ministerial level, I'd reckon.

Look I never said it'd be easy.

But Gail Vella got killed over this.

What was the case she was looking into?

As I'm sure you realise, DI Arnott,

anything I say in these circumstances

wouldn't be evidential.

Therefore no one could ever know

who the information came from.

Did you see that vehicle?

Alpha Charlie Six Four,

visual with suspect vehicle.

Stand by for registration.

Received, Six Four. Standing by.

Alpha Charlie Five Two, suspect vehicle PNC check,

Sierra, Lima...

one, eight, Lima, Mike, Juliet.

Control, Five Two. Running PNC check. Standby.

Alpha Charlie Five Two,

status Zero, Moss Heath Avenue.

Status Zero, Moss Heath Avenue.

Alpha Charlie Five Two, Received.

Armed police! Armed police!

Drop your weapons! Drop your weapons!

What's happening?

Can you get me out please?

Hey! Hey! Hey! Move! Move!

Stay down!

Alpha Charlie Five Two,

we are under attack from multiple armed gunmen,

request urgent armed assistance.

We have

Five Two Four Five, need to evacuate,

-gonna get you out. -Four Five, received,

evac authorised, repeat evac authorised!

-Sarge...

Stay down!

Jonesy, I can't get a grip!

Okay. Gimme a leg up!

Steve! It's Jonesy!

Is everyone okay?

-Jonesy!

Jonesy.

Help. I need some help. Please quick.

Alpha Charlie Four Five,

under fire from sniper, target Windermere.

Repeat target is Windermere.

Obs on sniper overlooking our current position

on Moss Heath Avenue!

Received ARV's on way.

Alpha Charlie Five Two, Control, urgent message,

one police casualty Moss Heath Avenue,

critical injuries!

Come on, Jonesy...

on way to ETA seven minutes.

Control from Alpha Charlie Six Six.

Sit Rep update.

All armed suspects are neutralised...

Oh, God.

There's been a forensic NABIS recovery

of all the OCG weapons from the scene.

I don't even know if this is important,

but some of the weapons appear to have been workshopped...

It's important.

Send them to ballistics for a full analysis.

Sir.

Jonesy...

such a good girl. It's a terrible loss,

it's a terrible loss.

And now there's no doubt about it,

the OCG were tipped off from inside of Blackthorn

when we picked up Lakewell.

Prison officers are in their pocket.

Unless the leak came from AC-12.

Not on my watch, it didn't.

Look, you two have been through a hell of a lot.

Now that the PIM's finished

maybe you should just go off duty...

No, sir. I'd like to continue.

Let's do this.

Chloe,

that won't be necessary.

Jimmy?

My Solicitor's offered to read out my statement

but, given what's happened,

the least I can do is look you all in the eye.

I'm not prepared to submit to an interview,

not today, not any day.

For Christ's sake, fella,

one of my officers just got killed!

And it was a miracle there weren't more casualties,

including myself and DI Arnott.

It was a warning.

I'll never be able to stop looking over my shoulder.

Jimmy, I promise you,

we'll do whatever it takes

to persuade the Ministry of Justice

to let you into Witness Protection.

There are some people there's no protection from.

People, or person?

What happened today wasn't cobbled together

by a couple of foot-soldiers,

the order came from the top, the very top.

That's a logical deduction.

Yes, so who?

I'm a coward, not a fool.

For Christ's sake!

You really imagine you'll be safe in prison?

They'll know I didn't talk.

So, yes, I hope so.

That's right,

isn't it, DI Arnott,

I didn't talk?

Get him out of here!

I'm sorry.

It's as easy as that, Jo.

Let's go inside and discuss this.

I say "discuss".

I'll explain why I won't be posted off your team.

And you'll listen.

Morning, boss, everything okay?

Wondered if you had an update

on the armed robbery line of inquiry?

Chris and I are trying to locate

the firearms workshop we believe is connected

to Gail Vella's murder weapon...

Great.

Boss, while I've got you,

I wanted to bring up the other matter,

my concerns with Ryan...

He only joined the force 18 months ago.

Any active links to organised crime

would have been detected during vetting.

Jo? Seriously?

Thing is, Kate,

we're already down a senior detective.

I'd hate to lose another one.

Sorry, I don't follow.

If people start asking questions

about what really happened at the reservoir,

they're going to start wondering

why you were following the patrol car

but failed to call for backup

in time to prevent an officer from drowning

and the attempted murder of a suspect.

Drop it, Kate.

That's an order.

What's this?

We've gotta share.

Overcrowding.

Where's your bunk?

They're bringing it now.

Now you watch what happens to a rat.

Boss. -Yeah.

We've got the DNA from Farida Jatri's house.

Truth is, I'm a bit confused.

Maybe you'll have more joy...

Ma'am.

I don't know if you saw, ma'am,

the Box this morning had an inmate found dead

inside of Blackthorn.

James Lakewell.

What was the cause of death?

Being a rat, ma'am.

We've investigated

DCI Davidson's version of events.

An extended forensic search at PS Farida Jatri's house

detected a small number of DNA deposits

closely matching an individual

whose DNA is stored on the police database.

Joanne Davidson.

Great work, we've got her.

She told us a pack of lies

about her relationship with Farida Jatri.

Not only that, sir,

it means there was ample opportunity for Davidson

to plant the burner phones at the property.

This isn't the most significant finding, sir.

As we know, sir, officers' samples are stored

on the system to exclude contamination of crime scenes.

Now an officer's DNA isn't speculatively examined

on a routine basis, and certainly wasn't back

when Davidson joined the force.

Because the DNA deposits detected at the house

weren't assumed to relate solely to a police officer,

they were compared against the whole system.

The analysis detected partial matches

to a nominal whose DNA is stored

on other police databases.

He's identified over the page.

As we know, sir,

there's only one credible explanation

for Jo Davidson's DNA matching this individual.

They're blood relatives.

Mother of God.