All language subtitles for The.Capture.S02E02.WEBRip.x264-ION10.g

This programme contains
strong language and some violent
scenes from the start.

Who's your victim?
Edison Yao. Chinese national.
Assassinated in his apartment.

He had CCTV all over the flat, only
the shooters are nowhere to be seen.

I thought you might have
some...insight.

I can't do this, I'm sorry.

No, I get it.
Can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?

Xanda Facial Recognition.

The only security system
in the world

to identify a human face
with 100% accuracy.

Chinese AI technology
poses no threat.

Yeah, I read the propaganda -
sorry, press release.

As long as I'm Security Minister,
Britain's borders won't be monitored

by a storefront for
the People's Republic of China.

Ma'am? I've got something.

CCTV threw up some...concerns.

Our kind of concerns.
Pass on the details.

I'll assign someone to take a look.

Garland doesn't trust me, still.

I signed up to be part of this.

The Lagos care worker claims
her three-year-old son's father

is Britain's Security Minister,
Isaac Turner.

What?! This is them. This is Xanda.

If we wanted to meddle, Mr Turner,

do you think this is the best
we can do?

Good afternoon,
distinguished members

of the China Research Committee,

and Gregory. CHUCKLING

Not everybody is present
for the final vote.

Where is Edison?

The victim's last activity
was an attempted call.

Maybe he was trying to warn someone.

Caller ID?
Saved on the phone as Knox.

Gregory Knox? There are armed
intruders in the building. Get in.

GUNFIRE No, I haven't joined them,

I am trying to beat them!

And they are watching me
day and night!

What's the status
with the committee?

All assets are in safe houses.

For all we know, the safe houses
are exactly where they want us
to take these people!

Well, I'm now joined by Home Office
Security Minister Isaac Turner.

Good evening, Khadija.

This is it,
the reason they wanted you.

I believe the right decision
is to award the UK borders contract

to Xanda Facial Recognition.

FAINT MEDIA BROADCAST

..our security or our way of life.

This decision will come as
a surprise to those who see you

as a strong opponent to China's
investment in UK infrastructure.

Oh, Khadija, I've always maintained
I keep an open mind.

What is he doing?!

I don't know. He's literally
quoting Xanda's press release.

My phones are exploding, Guardian's
hounding me for a follow-up,

he isn't even off air!
Did he say anything to you?

Did he say anything about endorsing
the company he accused of spying?

He must be scared. Edison's been
killed, Knox has been targeted.

PHONE RINGS Oh, Christ, his wife's calling. Wait.

Simone?
Aliza, are you watching this?

Yeah. Are you OK?

Yeah, I think so.
We've got police here.

Why are you asking? No, it's just,
we don't get it either.

PHONE VIBRATES
Sorry, Simone, can I call you back?

The programme hasn't been tested
for racial bias.

Sadly, there are a number of facial
rec systems that underperform

when it comes to accurately
identifying people of colour,

which is totally unacceptable,
of course.

MAN ON PHONE: Has he had a stroke?

Gregory! Shouldn't you be
in a safe house?

I am. I had to plead with the police
to let me use their phone.

I thought Turner told the Home Sec
we unanimously opposed to Xanda?

We think he's scared.

The way to safeguard against
racial profiling

is to choose a recognition system
that's virtually 100% accurate.

And Xanda gives us
that peace of mind.

He doesn't look scared.

If you're refusing to March down
to the BBC and get some answers...

I must insist...
..I will do it myself!

..insist you stay on lockdown!

Zach? You know Commander Hart.

Home Secretary. Gemma.

You were watching, then? Newsnight?

If I wanted to watch the Government
get its teeth kicked in,

I'd turn up to PMQs.

Must have been a shock, Minister.
A shock?

No, not quite, Danny.

Turning on the TV to see yourself
on a normal day is a shock.

Turning on the TV to see yourself
when it's not yourself,

saying the exact opposite
of what you fundamentally believe

is a fucking mind-rape,
if you want to know the truth.

Gemma?

Do you think we need to, um...pull
up the drawbridge?

DI Latif, DCI Carey,
await further instruction outside.

Ma'am, I... On second thoughts,

DCI Carey, you don't need to wait,
you're dismissed.

Report to Mapping per your
regular duties first thing.

That's an interesting decision.

I'm sorry? You were the one who put
me on lockdown,

which is exactly what they wanted.

Detective Carey is the only one

who managed to fathom
something was wrong here.

Perhaps DCI Carey should stay,
given she's fully conversant.

What are we going to do?

Thanks to this...whatever it is,

the nation is now
under the impression

that I'm happy to farm out
facial rec

to the same hostile foreign power
that orchestrated this.

You're convinced
China's responsible?

Beijing is trying to meddle
in British policy.

Yan Wanglei is Xanda's man
in London.

He's a part of it, I'm certain.

We need to call a COBRA meeting,
obviously.

SIS and the MoD should begin
drafting options immediately.

We'll need a raft to formulate
our response,

but first and foremost,
I would like to pay a visit

to Broadcasting House.

I managed to delay him.

HE SIGHS

There's a reason I can't let you
do that, Isaac.

If you go running off to the BBC,

it'll end up all over the news.

Yes, Rowan, I was rather hoping
it might.

Your decision, Home Secretary.

Well, I think we'd better.

Poor bloke's been through enough.

We ought to remind you, sir,
that as a Government minister,

you are bound by
the Official Secrets Act.

I'm sor...
Is someone kindly going to tell me

what the hell
you're all talking about?

Yes.

DCI Carey can explain it...

..given she's fully conversant.

Come on, Rachel,
we're all sitting comfortably.

Why don't you tell Mr Turner
everything he needs to know...

..about Correction?

We'll be back, of course,
same time tomorrow.

Until then, from all of us,
goodnight.

We're clear.

The Turner interview is causing
a sizeable Twitter storm.

Certainly wasn't expecting him
to say that.

#Isaacturncoat.

What was he thinking?!

I have a feeling we'll be
following this one up.

Try to get him into the studio
next time.

Remote interviews depress me
these days. Do you know what I mean?

Uh-huh. It might help if they didn't
lag and freeze like it was 1996!

There shouldn't be any lagging.
Ed, you saw the lagging, right?

Yeah, absolutely.

Sometimes I think I'm the only one
actually watching around here.

There shouldn't be any lagging.
Have a look into it, will you?

So, it has a name,
what happened to me?

Correction...is a method of
real-time image manipulation,

using the disruption of camera feeds

and the deployment
of deepfake technology.

The technique was developed
in China,

but its usage has spread to...

..other regions.

What regions?

The map is constantly evolving,
but it's safe to assume

Correction is in operation
in Russia, United States...

The United Kingdom.

Why would it be in operation here?

For instance, if we have intel
on a terrorist plot,

but the evidence against
the suspects is insufficient.

If you can't put them away
fair and square,

you fake incriminating footage?

We turn intelligence into evidence.

Who knows about this?

It's a highly-restricted
operational tactic.

No more than 50 operatives across
SO15, GCHQ and the Security Service.

But who else?
The Justice Secretary? The PM?

You know I can't confirm or deny.

The British state
creating deep fakes?

We only ever produce images
of events we know to be true.

ISAAC LAUGHS This is... Huh!

No. No, no, no,
this isn't happening.

If it makes a difference,
this did not start on my watch.

This moral minestrone
was gifted to me by my predecessor.

So, why me?

Where does this aberration
come into it?

Sadly, with the means to create
false images of powerful people,

Correction has become a tool
for disinformation.

Correction is the dirty secret
we share with our adversaries.

We can all deploy it covertly,

but if one country accuses another
publicly,

we may as well blow the whistle
on ourselves.

So, what are you saying?

If we were to claim your appearance
was corrected,

it would leave us vulnerable
to counter-accusations.

And then, the whole global
house of cards comes tumbling down.

You...you expect me to keep
my mouth shut

and let the world believe
that malicious bullshit was real?

I'm sorry, Isaac.
Edison Yao is dead!

They are killing dissidents and
attacking our national broadcasts!

These are acts of
state-sponsored terror!

For which, appropriate action
will be taken.

So long as it doesn't upset
some spook programme?!

So long as it doesn't upset
the Government,

the courts, MI5 and the police.

Good enough?

Let's hope we can rely
on the Right Honourable Member

for Haslemere South
to keep his trap shut.

We keep Isaac Turner on a short
leash. Close protection officers,

intercepts and monitoring
on all devices.

Same goes for his staff.
They arranged that interview.

Any one of them could be complicit.

Do you see Correction like that?

Turner's right, we're looking at
the most blatant attack

by a foreign power since Salisbury.

What do you need? Tight team,
SO15, GCHQ and CIA to support.

Who do you want on your team?

Rachel certainly made an impression
on Turner.

Wouldn't hurt to keep him onside.

You seem to forget how close
she came to reporting us.

That was before you won her over.

Not to mention what we found.

That was insurance.
You'd do the same.

She's being watched, isn't she?

Any concerns?

If you still don't trust her, Gemma,
you know what to do.

Keep her close.

DOOR SLIDES OPEN AND SHUTS

DOOR SLIDES SHUT

I'll need a DCI to bridge Homicide
and SO15.

If you're interested? I am, Ma'am.

You'll need assistance.
What do you make of the new blood?

DC Tan?

Couple of years ago, they'd have
called her fast-track princess.

They did me.
I won't repeat what they called me.

DI Latif, you have compromised
the location of a safe house.

A security breach that may
warrant disciplinary action.

But, Ma'am, I...
While a decision is pending,

your inclusion in this operation is
suspended with immediate effect.

You may return to your departmental
duties,

but your time with us ends here.

Be thankful the repercussions
aren't more severe.

Bring DC Tan in with you.

In where, Ma'am?

Seventh floor.

What about Mapping?

Mapping runs itself.

Well, you WANTED to take over
my case.

Got what you wished for.

FAINT MEDIA BROADCAST

DEVICE BEEPS

This is DCI Rachel Carey.

In place of hidden camera recording,

I'm filming this eyewitness
testimony for my dossier

detailing the systematic
illegal practice

of video-evidence tampering
known as Correction.

Approximately one hour ago,

I was present at a briefing
with Home Secretary Rowan Gill,

who I learned has full knowledge
of Correction

and its use within the UK.

Also present was the Security
Minister Isaac Turner, who...

..until the briefing, had no prior
knowledge of Correction.

Why couldn't you call me before?

Er...security.

Police insisted.

So, you can go on Newsnight
and talk to Khadija Khan,

but you can't call your wife?

I wasn't...

I wasn't on Newsnight.

You know what I mean.

Remotely.

Why did you change your mind?

About the facial-rec contract?

I can't talk about it, Simmy.

You said "people of colour",
by the way.

I thought you didn't like
that phrase?

You always said it sounded too close
to "coloured people".

You did good, though,

in the interview.

Oh, yeah?

Not what you said, just...

..the way you said it.

You sounded...authoritative.

HE SIGHS DEEPLY

I want the truth, Isaac.

The people who tried to kill
Gregory Knox...

..are they going to try to kill you?
No. No, no.

The truth.

HE SIGHS

I don't know.

Turns out there's a lot
I don't know.

BEEPING, WHIRRING

RAPID BEEPING

The priorities of Operation Vanguard
are as follows.

To investigate a series
of targeted assassinations

across the capital
in the past 36 hours,

to identify the prime suspects

and to gather intelligence
on a campaign of cyberattacks

against UK surveillance networks

and a major television broadcaster.

This blatant attack
on UK infrastructure and civilians

is one of the most heinous
I've come across.

Not least because they've hurt
one of our own.

It is our assessment
that this chain of attacks

was coordinated
with a hack on the BBC

in a plot to affect government
policy by a hostile foreign power.

While the trawl for any trace
of the murder suspects continues,

Turner himself alerted us
to this person of interest.

As London CEO of Xanda Facial Rec,

Yan Wanglei has the motive
and the technical capability.

Now, given his status
as a high-profile Chinese national,

I need hardly tell you how carefully
we need to tread here.

Any arrest will constitute
a major international incident.

But make no mistake,
we will arrest him

if that's where the evidence
leads us.

We've reached out respectfully
to Mr Wanglei this morning,

and he's accepted our invitation
to be questioned.

Provided it takes place
at the Chinese Embassy

in the presence
of Ambassador Xiaodong.

Anyone care to guess the POI's
current location?

Chinese Embassy?

Thank God you're here, Carey,
finally.

Hmm.

Yes, he's tucked away
at the embassy.

Let's take him up on his offer.
I'll pay the ambassador a visit.

If this came from Beijing, there's
reasonable grounds he's complicit.

I could come...to the embassy...

..if it helps.

Do you speak Mandarin?

No.

A couple of words.

Then, why...?

Well...just...

Isn't that a bit...?

I think that's a good idea, DC Tan.

Chloe. I'll need the support.

Agreed. Excuse me.

Rachel?

..to China was like handing
a British radar contract

to Germany in 1939.

I've done my research, I found
no evidence of a link between Xanda

and the Chinese authorities.

As Britain's Security Minister,
I fully support the CRC's...

HE STOPS VIDEO

Remote interview via webcam.
All the perps would need to do is

pipe in their feed to the BBC.

Any remote camera has
the potential to be hacked.

Interaction with the host, seamless.

You suspect her involvement?

Isn't it customary to send the kids
to bed

when the grown-ups are talking?

DCI Carey has the same right
to be here as any of us.

What are you saying exactly -
Khadija Khan is complicit?

Or the avatar can respond
to her questions in real time?

Is it possible to create
a deepfake that sophisticated?

Hmm? Oh. Well...we haven't
gotten there yet.

If anyone has, it's China.

I'd love to furnish you
with directions to their embassy.

Why use the front door
when you can hack the mainframe?

Oh, sorry, I can't help you there.

Beg your pardon? Strict orders
from the executive branch.

The agency can no longer assist
in third-party counter-espionage

against the People's Republic
of China.

Why the hell not?! Because you do
too much business with them,

that's why! When we tell you not to
get into bed with Beijing,

you bury deeper into the sheets!

So, this is about money?

It's about security!

You know, we share a lot of intel
with the UK.

I'd like to know
that China isn't listening.

Message for you, ma'am. Anthony
Reid asked that you contact him.

Oh. He says it's urgent.

Anthony Reid? Yes.

THE Anthony Reid? Yes.

Who the fuck's that?
Security correspondent for the BBC.

It can't be a coincidence.

Surely we need to investigate
there anyway? I was hoping

to keep this away from the press for
as long as humanly possible.

Well, I'd like to stick around.

Give me a call when your country
learns how to pick a side.

Frank?!

SHE BREATHES DEEPLY

Frank!

Look, if you need technical help
with the BBC,

I'll loan you one of my guys.

But if I find out you put them
on China, the deal's off.

Since when did Frank Napier let
politicians call the shots?

Since I found out
they were watching me.

Ma'am?

Like thousands of visa applicants
around the globe,

Victoria Bello dreams of living
and working in the UK.

This landed in Rhys Edwards' inbox
yesterday.

..care worker claims
her three-year-old son

is eligible for a British passport.

According to Victoria,
the child's father

is Britain's Security Minister,
Isaac Turner.

Has this gone public?
No trace of it online.

According to the message frenzy
that followed,

Turner seemed to think it was some
kind of blackmail attempt by Xanda.

I'd like to know why he didn't
mention that to us.

My thoughts exactly.

Ma'am?

Invite him in.

Under armed protection.

Same goes for his staff.

So, this is where the magic happens?

How DID they get you?

Get me?

Rachel?

Rhys Edwards?

Commander Hart.

Ambassador.
Thank you for taking the time.

This is Detective Tan.

HE GREETS DETECTIVE TAN IN MANDARIN

Pleased to meet you.

Hmm! Please, our guest is waiting.

Seems a long time since you threw

one of your famous soirees,
Ambassador.

Whatever happened to those?

Your country accused us of genocide.

Fair enough.

Edison Yao was a dissident
from Hong Kong.

About 36 hours ago,
someone came to his apartment

and put a bullet through his eye.

How is he now?

That's awful,

but would you mind explaining
what it has to do with me?

Mr Yao served on the China Research
Committee,

advising the Government on your
company's facial recognition bid.

24 hours later, security guard
Joseph Mwangi was shot in the neck

and a police detective sergeant
was shot in the chest.

Were they on the China Research
Committee?

We believe the intended target was.

A data scientist named Gregory Knox.

In each case, the bullet was
discharged from a QSZ-92 automatic.

A military-issue firearm
manufactured in mainland China.

No surprise to find products
in the UK made in China.

No, not when it comes to technology.
Computers...

Metal, minerals, plastics.
Medical equipment.

But military-grade weapons?
That's rare.

China does not take revenge
on its dissidents

and hunt them down on the streets
of Britain. We are not Russia.

No-one mentioned revenge.

I forgot to congratulate you both.

Looks like the facial-rec contract
is going your way.

I'm curious.

Why do you think a minister known
for his stance against Chinese tech

ended up going
with a Chinese company?

Do you realise what you're implying,
young lady?

DC Tan.

Just asking.

How very disappointing.

Once again, we find ourselves

the subject of baseless,
lurid allegations.

China, the bogeyman of the world.

We find it offensive.

Just as we find it offensive,
Commander Hart,

that you bring along a colleague
of Chinese descent

to appease your brazen prejudice.

I have another engagement.

Perhaps we could continue this

when you have something more
to go on besides bias?

I'm sorry to hear about
your detective sergeant.

You said he was shot,
but you didn't say if he survived.

No, I didn't.

Tom, I want a team car
watching the entrance 24/7.

I'll assign the eyeball.

How do you feel about joining
a surveillance unit?

Sir, apart from basic undercover on
the fast-track, I don't have much

experience. Yeah, but you've seen
the target up close and personal.

Ops and monitoring.

We need verification.
Eyes on Yan Wanglei.

Sir.

About Nadia, Ma'am...

DI Latif.

She's not actually going to receive
disciplinary action, is she?

Because she only breached
the safe house on my instruction.

If you have the spare time or the
bandwidth to feel guilty about it,

why don't you give her a call?

Better yet, send flowers.

In the meantime,
I'd appreciate your focus.

Yes, Ma'am.

So, how do you want to play this,
then, Ma'am?

Just listen and learn.

Gem! Anthony!

Thank you for coming to us.

I've booked somewhere
we can't be overlooked.

I imagine you've seen
the Isaac Turner interview.

He's pro-Xanda now.

Yes. Pretty surprising U-turn,
even by this Government's standards.

Got us wondering if China
has something on Turner.

Until we chanced upon
a different theory.

Khadija complained about the
remote connection speed last night.

Nothing odd about that.

Khadija complains about something
MOST nights.

But when the engineers
tracked Turner's IP address,

they discovered something strange.

The signal wasn't coming from
London.

Wasn't coming from the UK at all.

It was coming from China.

Care to share any insights?

You're right to bring this
to our attention.

I suggest we arrange a discreet unit
to investigate.

Rachel, with a member
of our technical team.

Provided you're willing
to share any findings with us.

We plan to run this
as soon as possible.

Run? The story.

Is there one? We know that Isaac
Turner wasn't in China last night,

so clearly, we're looking at some
kind of foreign interference.

We're juggling theories,
from hacking to full-on deep fakes.

It is remarkable that Turner said
exactly what Xanda wanted him to.

Of all the stories on our radar
involving that particular minister,

I'd shelve this one if I were you.

Because...?

Because the BBC needs to maintain
its reputation

as a trusted news source,
not a beacon of disinformation.

Yes, we've discussed this conundrum.

If we report it, we risk
undermining our credibility.

But if we don't and it gets out,
that would be worse.

Then let me spare you the dilemma.

Already, this raises
a number of concerns.

I'm sure I can count on
your cooperation.

Hold the story while we investigate.

Well, so long as you can
enlighten us

on those concerns
while we investigate.

I'm afraid I can't do that.

Well, then, I'm afraid I can't allow
you to sniff around our studio.

We'll come back with a warrant.

You've just alerted us
to a suspected cyber attack

by a foreign power. That makes
your studio a crime scene.

If we don't investigate,
it'll be dereliction of duty.

It'll leave you vulnerable
to further attacks.

You won't get your story anyway.

I don't know.

What with the IP address and
the tech correspondent's analysis,

I can see seven minutes
shaping up nicely.

You're leaving us
with no alternative.

You can't broadcast it.

We'll slap a D-notice on it.

A D-notice to Khadija Khan?

Red rag, bull.

You'll have to do more than that
to bring her onside.

Come on, Gem, you know the deal.

If you're going to use
the nuclear option,

you've got to offer up a sweetener.

You mentioned other stories.

About the minister.

"Fearing for my safety
and the safety of my family,

"I...I decided to alter my position
on Xanda Facial Recognition."

This is how you want me to play it -

that I was intimidated
into changing my mind?

You need an explanation
for your staff, your wife.

I don't lie to my wife.

Of course.

Ah. Thanks for coming in to see us,
Minister. Why don't you take a seat?

I appreciate you keeping me updated,
sir.

What can you give me?

You're looking into Xanda, right?

We are running multiple lines
of inquiry, of course.

And my team, you're talking to my
team - Aliza Clark, Rhys Edwards?

They're helping us, yeah.

Have you heard from the Home Office?
I certainly haven't.

Might you be more comfortable
sitting down, Minister?

No, not really, Danny. I have been
cooped in a safe house all night.

We just need to ask you
a few questions, sir.

OK.

How...how long have you known
Aliza Clark? Aliza?

I was with Rhys and Isaac last night

when we agreed to do
the Newsnight interview.

Rhys went off to...
She's been with me since,

well, since I became
Security Minister. A year.

What do you know
about her private life?

I'm not sure she has one.
I imagine there's a cat.

Hmm! What about Rhys Edwards?

I set up the interview, tried to
confirm it with Isaac,

couldn't get through. Honestly,
I don't know what else to tell you.

He's a decent spad.
He's public-school prat,

but I'm in government,
I'm surrounded by them.

Are you aware of any reason
either Clark or Edwards

could have been compromised?

Compromised? Well, anything
that may have left them vulnerable

to bribery or blackmail.

Nothing in Westminster
would surprise me,

but, no, I'm not aware of anything.
Why?

The cyberattacks on the BBC
were coordinated so meticulously

that it suggests the collusion
of one or more members of your team.

Aliza and Rhys?

Or indeed yourself, Minister.

I thought... Huh!

I thought I was brought here
for an update. Am I under suspicion?

Well, with cases involving
foreign intervention,

it's not unusual to find
that victims have been...coerced.

Blackmailed.

What can you tell us
about Victoria Bello?

LIFT DINGS

Then you agree,
it was the right move?

You planted the other story,

then let them think finding it
was their idea.

You got the result we needed, Ma'am.

The minister in charge
of Britain's borders has

a foreign lovechild trying
to get in.

That story will come out sooner
or later, with or without our help.

I imagine so.

Have you been reading our emails?

Any information you could provide us
would be extremely helpful.

Er...my office received
some bogus report

about a woman claiming
I'm the father of her child, but...

it's all lies. And you suspected
China was behind it?

Yan Wanglei made some veiled threat
about spying.

"Everybody has something", he said,
but he's wrong, I don't.

You're saying that they made up the
lovechild story to blackmail you?

Or to defame me, discredit me.

China faked your announcement. Why
would they want to discredit you?

I-I don't know, Detective.

I'd really love to leave the job
of figuring out

exactly how and why China fucked us
to you,

so I can get on with the job
of figuring out

how the hell
the Government's meant to respond.

I assume I'm free to leave?

As long as you're accompanied
by protection officers.

Um, I'd just like to ask
one last question.

You didn't mention anything about
the lovechild allegation to us.

Why is that?

I wouldn't expect you to understand.

Look, I don't want something
like this

getting traction, even false.

We can't have it out there.

DOOR SHUTS

I guess I'm in the right place.

I was hoping it would be you.

Rachel, Louie.

Frank told me to remind you
of the parameters.

Frank needs a fucking holiday.

That is the longest I've been
without my phone.

Since? No, that was
the end of my sentence.

So, what - how bad is it?

Er...well, "Isaac U-turn"
is obviously trending.

There's no shortage of hate.

But until now, a lot of these people
didn't know who you were, so...

Approval ratings down,
brand awareness up.

You know, it's this level
of incompetence

that reassures me neither of you
are involved.

What about the PM -
any statement, or...?

Nothing from Downing Street
or the Home Office. Nothing?

Oh, wait, there's a voice message
from McKenzie.

Newsnight want you back on tonight.

What? What do you want to say,
Aliza?

I think we'd all
just like to know what happened.

VOICEMAIL: You have
one new message...

Fearing for my safety
and the safety of my family,

I decided to alter my position
on Xanda Facial Recognition.

I knew it. It's fair enough, Isaac.

Hmm! What? YOU don't know.
YOU don't have kids.

Well, neither do you, unless YOU'RE
the one with the secret lovechild.

Sorry, fake secret lovechild.

That's the other thing,
they know about that, too.

They're not the only ones.

What did you have for breakfast,
Isaac?

It was so long ago,
I can't remember.

Thank you. Audio level's good.

Do you normally do test recordings?

Whenever we link up
to a new computer or a new location.

When his spad said that Isaac Turner
wanted to do a remote interview,

I assumed he meant from home.

But then Turner called
and said he was in London.

Isaac Turner called you himself?

Yes.

And how did he sound?

Like Isaac Turner.

So, nothing unusual? No.

We sent him the link and
he jumped straight on this test.

He did get a bit Christian Bale
at one point.

Any chance you could raise
your laptop an inch for me, Isaac?

No, I'm pretty happy with the frame.

Yeah, well,
we'd prefer a bit more headroom.

Or we can cancel the interview.

He chose the framing.

Yeah. Diva.

Smart.

So, what can you tell us,
off the record?

Did China hack my programme,
or what?

You can ask all you like, Ed,
you won't get any answers.

Khadija. Er...this is... Rachel.

Hmm.

Anthony told me
you'd be sniffing around.

Well, I'd appreciate a few minutes,
Miss Khan, when you can spare them.

You should've thought of that
before you took my story away.

We're working on a better one.

Yeah, we'll see.

She'll warm up, possibly.

You're running it, then,
the love child story?

Yeah. We need to verify it first.

PHONE VIBRATES

Excuse me.

Tom. Looks like there's good news
from the hospital.

I'm heading over there.

DISTANT SIRENS

I asked you yesterday,
was there anything I should know.

There was nothing then,
there's nothing now.

The BBC are asking for a comment.
Tell them it's bullshit,

and if they run it, we'll take
a pickaxe to their budget.

Well, before we go that route,
Isaac,

there is something
we need to ask you.

Is it?

Bullshit?

It's a perfectly plausible story.

You were in Lagos four years ago.

Somebody's obviously done
their homework.

So have you, by the looks of it.

You manage to uncover
WHY I was there?

No? I flew to Lagos
for my mother's funeral.

Good! Um...not good.
I'm sorry for your loss.

It was four years ago, Rowan.

Would you be willing to take
a paternity test?

For God's sake, the man's just
told you he was burying his mother!

An emotional time.
What does that mean?

It means it's not impossible that
while you flew to Lagos

to bury your mother, you did also at
some point during that trip

bury something else.

Four years ago,
we'd just won the election.

Do you really think I'd jeopardise
my seat in Parliament

when I'd only just taken it? We all
fuck up. That's where you're wrong.

You don't fuck up? No.

MCKENZIE LAUGHS

So I'll just tell the press
that it can't be true,

because the amazing Isaac Turner
never fucks up!

Let me ask you something.

How many Cabinet ministers
get caught with their pants down

or their fingers in the expenses pot

only to bounce right back,
careers unscathed?

You see, it doesn't quite work
like that if you look like me.

If I'M dishonest or promiscuous,

I'm just confirming
everybody's worst suspicions.

So there's a reason my parents
told me to work twice as hard

and act twice as nice
as all the other kids in school.

I took their advice,
I'm still taking it now.

I treat my wife and children
with respect,

but I don't do it just for
their sake or because it makes me

a good Christian,
despite what everybody thinks.

I do it because no-one's going
to give me a second chance!

So, no, when it comes to
getting ahead in Westminster,

I don't fuck up.

I'll tell the BBC to bury the story.

Thank fuck for that.

Home Secretary,
I'd like a word, alone.

MACHINES BEEP

..High Dependency Unit,

which means his condition is
serious, but no longer critical.

He's in a medically induced coma,

but he will wake in due course.

Is he going to be all right?

SHE SNIFFLES Yeah.

Daddy's still sleeping,
but he's going to be all right.

OK. Shall we go and see him? Yeah.

Doctor? How long do you think
before he's conscious?

Well, each patient is different,
but, er...

well, he could be awake in
the next couple of hours. Thank you.

SHE EXHALES

RINGING TONE

Tom is on the... High Dependency
ward. We're way ahead of you, Carey.

Ed, how's the feed check?

Kilo Six, Kilo Three? Go ahead.

We're running camera checks via
Control, Kilo Three. All in order.

Understood.

Nice to see you smiling.

Whatever. Hmm!

CHILD CRIES

Need support to cover, Kilo Three?

I'm going to stay
till Patrick wakes up.

I want to be here
when he IDs the shooter. Understood.

CHILD CRIES

Hi. I-I need a toy for a
two-year-old and a...nine-year-old.

INDISTINCT TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT

What the fuck do YOU want?

What are YOU doing here?

What am I DOING here?

It's a fucking hospital.

SHE SIGHS

You're going to have to forgive me,
Home Secretary,

but I've never had to navigate
around Correction before.

I've no idea how it works.

But I was expecting to see
a statement from you or the PM.

Some reaction to my
highly-surprising announcement.

There's been nothing.

Well, it's sensitive whilst
the investigation's ongoing.

Oh, what, so, we're just supposed
to let the disinformation fester?

As long as we keep quiet,

everyone's going to assume
we're going with Xanda.

Beijing gets what it wants.

You know, you COULD overrule
my recommendation.

At least issue a statement,

say you're undecided
and introduce doubt.

Well, those options
are already being discussed.

With who? The PM, of course.

You called a Cobra meeting?

We met in the park for an ice cream.
What difference does it make?

I'm talking to the PM.

Look, Rowan, given how central I am
to this crisis,

I strongly feel I should be
fully, actively involved

in the Government's response.

I think you deserve
a bloody good rest, mate.

I don't NEED a rest.

The UK is under attack.

Not only am I Security Minister,
I'm one of the targets!

And that's all the more reason for
you to maintain a healthy distance.

Go home, Isaac.

Be with your family.

All right?

RINGING TONE

RHYS: Isaac?

Yes. Er...call Newsnight and
tell them I've got an exclusive.

Tonight? Yeah, tonight.

And, Rhys? This time, make sure
it's live in the studio.

OK, I'll get right on it.

Look at him.
Hasn't he got a furry tail!

LOW CHATTER

PHONE VIBRATES

SHE SIGHS

Ma'am. Are you still at the BBC?

Not far away.

Get back there.

Isaac Turner's just cut
his protection officers loose.

He's booked himself on Newsnight.

What did he say?

He's promised them a bombshell.

He's going to expose Correction.

No. You're going to stop him.

I'm on my way.

Any sign of the asset waking up,

he so much as stirs in his sleep,
radio me on Two.

Yes, Ma'am.

SIREN WAILS

An exclusive - that's all
he's prepared to tell us upfront.

What if it's about the hack?

Well, Anthony gave the service
his word,

but if it comes from Isaac Turner...

..then that's on him.

Fucking tease!

I'm starting to like him! Ha!

SIREN WAILS

Mr Turner!

Mr Turner, this is not the way!

You can't just...!
Two minutes, Minister.

I... They kill people to protect it.

I saw you when you briefed me
on Correction.

You're...you're not a true believer,
are you?

You need to be careful.

You need a plan.

If you want to expose this thing,
you can't just go on TV and say it.

I wasn't going to.

I thought... Who have they killed?

If you'd like to follow me,
Minister?

Have YOU got a plan to expose it?

Minister?

PHONE VIBRATES

Ma'am. It's under control.

You stopped him? No.

You let him go on?

H's not going to talk about
Correction, he told me.

And you trust him?

Yes.

First #homework,
then a startling U-turn on China.

Now Security Minister Isaac Turner
is set to make headlines again.

MUSIC: Newsnight theme tune

Why was I not told about this?

Why wasn't I told about it?!

LOW CHATTER

48 hours ago, some of you might have
struggled to name

the UK's Security Minister,

but a lot can happen in 48 hours,

as Isaac Turner can tell you.

Good evening, Khadija. You contacted
us before we went on air

with what you said
would be a revelatory statement.

Yes. Apologies, Khadija,
for the cloak and dagger.

I just wanted to make sure

I had a clear channel
for what I'm about to say.

Regarding yesterday's announcement,
I'd like to make a correction.

The fact is, I do NOT support
Xanda's bid

to supply facial rec
at Britain's borders.

You've changed your mind again?

Er...I-I do not support their bid,
and I strongly recommend

the Government considers options
outside of China.

Yesterday, you said there was
nothing to fear from... Oh, my God!

PHONES DING
..the use of Chinese technology

in UK infrastructure.
I-I-I didn't come here to dwell on

what I did or didn't say.

That was a direct quote. Well,
nonetheless, the issue of borders...

..Facial profiling is what makes us
the most effective security system.

Oh, my God! No, no, no!

You've got to be fucking joking.
..But if, say,

Muslim men between the ages
of 17 and 35...

were the most-likely demographic
to launch an attack on an airport...

PHONES DING ..what's wrong with

a system that...? I'd rather face
the consequences

of appearing to change course

than face the prospect of Xanda's
facial rec at our borders.

Giving a firm with links
to the Chinese Communist Party

access to our surveillance networks
would constitute...

..Profiling, Xanda treats it
as a selling point.

A selling point?

..Changed your mind?
I've always been concerned about
undue influence of...

Did the Prime Minister not back
your report?

Putting together the CRC...

..Like any company
with an international cloud,

Xanda is in sync with
the growing number of governments

around the globe who have no quarrel
with the idea...

I've reached my decision
to recommend to the Cabinet

that the facial-recognition contract

is awarded to a technology company
whose...

Stop this broadcast! Cut it!

Ed, you need to terminate
this broadcast! What? No! Fuck off!

The fact that Xanda's maths adds up
ought to be a source of comfort.

I'm sure the majority
of your viewers would agree.

Fucking hell! Hello?
This is a national security issue!

Somebody needs to stop
this broadcast!

Can someone get this woman
out of my fucking gallery?

I'm trying. National security.
Somebody stop broadcast now!

..Give me an answer! It won't cut!

It's not cutting! We're locked
on Turner! What's going on?

Racial profiling is what makes
Muslim men between the ages of...

Xanda is in synch with
the growing number of...

Wrap it up, Khadija. Cut it back!

Khadija, wrap it up now.
Minister, we have to move on.

Now, listening to that
in our Salford studio was...

What the fuck...?!

PHONE RINGS

Oh.

Prime Minister.

Ed? Twitter's blown up.

What?! Over the U-turn?
That's ludicrous!

Ma'am, you need to get down here.

Why has my wife called seven times?
Everybody, quiet!

This is a police matter!

Nobody is to leave this studio
until otherwise instructed.

I need you...and you.

You contacted us
before we went on air

with what you said would be
a revelatory statement.

What's wrong with this?!
Keep watching.

Regarding yesterday's announcement,
I'd like to make a correction.

You asked me if Xanda
had been tested for racial bias.

I'm afraid my answer
wasn't entirely accurate.

What IS this? He didn't say that.

The truth is,

racial profiling is what makes Xanda

the most-effective security system
on the market.

What?! We've been hacked.
This has been changed! Faked!

Corrected.

If, and I'm not saying
this is the case,

but if, say, Muslim men
between the ages of 17 and 35

were the most-likely demographic
to launch an attack at an airport,

what's wrong with a system
that factors that in?

I-I-I-I-I would...I would nev...

H-How...? I don't know.

Minister, are you suggesting

the programme uses racial bias
deliberately...?

That's my voice!
I'm not suggesting, I'm saying.

While most
facial-recognition providers

see profiling as an AI flaw,

Xanda treats it as a selling point.

A selling point? Yes.

Like any company...

If you think you can slap a D-notice
on this, you can think again.

I must ask you to sit down.
Good luck with that!

You are a witness to a major
national security breach. No shit!

First time... Everyone here is a
suspect... ..people are going...

Do not make me explain...
Furthermore, I must...

..Choosing to interact
with other suspects at this time

may compromise
a counter-terror investigation!

Sorry, I'm going way above anyone
in here. Khadija!

Maybe we should let her
get on with it.

I told you, it is not that simple!

And I asked you if you had a plan!

Wait here.

Minister... I can tell you that...
..to be completely clear,

you're advocating the use of
racial profiling at UK airports?

No, Khadija, to be completely clear,

I'm advocating the use of racial
profiling wherever it keeps us safe.

Minister, we have to move on.
I'm fucking finished.

Khadija?

Khadija! You are not taking
this story away from me.

I'm calling the channel controller
and then I'm calling legal.

CALL FAILS

Fucking signal!

And how are you going to prove it?

I just saw myself hacked
and deep-faked with my own eyes!

And everybody else saw an interview,
just like every other night.

It will be your word
against everybody else's.

Not even your own crew
saw what happened!

RINGING TONE

You have no idea
what you're up against.

If you're serious about
investigating it and exposing it...

MAN ON PHONE: Hello?

..you need to gather evidence
meticulously.

A wealth of it.

You need to prove it definitively

so no-one can deny it.

Hello?

Who is it?

And how do you suggest doing that?

Together.