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Silent Killer

It's there.

- Over here. - Here.

They're here, Gilly, they'll get you into hospital.

They'll help you breathe.

I managed to get her breathing again.

How are you doing, love?

- She's got Motor Neurone Disease. - Okay, we'll get her sorted.

Is Mum going to be okay?

If you could look in on Mrs Reed.

- Okay, fine. - Thank you.

Mr Bridges, I'm Marc Thompson. Are these your sons?

Yes. Jack, that's Jamie.

Could we have a word in private?

We know about Mum's condition.

Well, perhaps we could go to my office.

- Can we see her, doctor? - Yes, they're bringing her up now.

You know, she's terrified of hospital.

Look, Mr Bridges, your wife is very seriously ill.

There's tremendous pressure on her heart and lungs.

Couldn't she get a heart and lung transplant?

Well, even if we found someone suitable as a donor,

it wouldn't halt the deterioration.

I'm sorry.

Judge, a lady just wandered into court looking for justice.

(CHUCKLES) That's novel.

Maybe she should just write to Scotland Yard.

- She wants to sue the Government. - Don't we all?

Her husband, three children and seven grandchildren were killed.

- How? - Well, she says they were poisoned

by depleted uranium used by the British army in its shells.

She was married to a former member of the Iraqi Government.

Will you see her?

I'm not inclined to, Coop.

I said I'd ask you.

It seems very well-documented, Mrs Hussein.

What you really need is a lawyer, not a judge.

All the lawyers turn me down.

It'll be a hard fight.

I read about you in the newspapers.

Oh.

You're my last hope.

- Can I keep these? - Yes.

I have plenty of copies.

No Vera, Monty? I thought you were hearing a rape case?

Hmm, it hasn't got interesting enough for her yet.

Is that any good?

It's not bad.

Hmm, they've got better at the vegetarian options.

Can you take this directions hearing in the phone masts case?

Not really.

Mrs Mills and my ex-wife are for each of the parties.

Well, I see neither as an absolute impediment.

They might.

The claimant is likely to die if we delay.

She alleges that the signal from these types of mast caused her illness.

I've had the master of the rolls on,

telling me how sensitive this whole matter is for the Government

and the Solicitor General.

- The Home Office has an interest. - How?

The masts carry police communications.

The Home Office is loath to abandon them.

Won't it be the taxpayer who's the loser again if they do?

And your old friend Tim Listfield.

Well, it was his company that put up the masts.

Would you take a look at this?

An Iraqi widow wants to sue the Government

over the use of depleted uranium in shells.

Well, that'll waste everyone's time.

Read the papers.

You take the directions hearing, I'll look at the widow's papers.

- My lord? - I'll have the homity pie.

Is this at the instigation of the Home Office, Ian?

The Home Secretary wouldn't presume, considering who's for the defendant.

No, the Attorney expressed a concern as Head of the Bar.

He need have no concern. Please.

Thank you.

It's how it will look, John.

What's really behind this move, Ian?

Frankly, money.

The Home Office's entire Safe Communications System is at stake.

And if they've got it wrong and the claimant

really has developed Motor Neurone Disease?

We might have to consider her a casualty of progress.

Why couldn't you have grabbed this phone mast hearing?

- Not a safe pair of hands. - Deed shouldn't be hearing it

with Mrs Mills and Mrs Channing on opposite sides.

- They're both past items. - That's not what I've heard.

Do you have good sources?

None as good as you.

Enough gossip.

I want to take your mind on something the Lord Chief Justice is floating.

John, do you have a moment?

Yeah, sure, I'm reading for a case.

- How's it looking? - Difficult.

- Are you sitting down here? - Not yet.

Are you seeing your ex-wife?

Well, there was a recent case in which I granted her injunctive relief.

Don't be clever, John.

I thought you weren't into emotion.

Well, as attractive as she is, we were never compatible,

it took us a while to find that out.

She's before you in the phone mast case.

Along with Jo Mills.

There's a move not to let you hear it.

Thank you.

The Chief wondered if you'd like to be our representative

at one of The Hague War Crimes Tribunals.

Is that going to keep me out of trouble?

No. I could pop over at weekends or you could pop back.

Why doesn't the Chief ask me himself?

It's rather like the honours list. He'd sooner not be openly turned down.

He knows that we're friendly.

Does he know how friendly?

If he did, he wouldn't be so friendly towards me.

It's an offer that most High Court judges would give their ears for.

Then what's he asking me for, then?

Oh, you have a reputation for fairness, you strive to be just,

you're outspoken in your opinions on what you think is wrong with society.

Is that a requirement for the job in The Hague?

I would think not.

On the other hand, the Chief may want to see

some of those stuffed shirts out there brought down a peg or two.

Is it possible he's working with the Home Office

to get me off this phone mast case?

Well, that begs the question.

Who might they get who would serve their purposes better?

Well, I'm not going to give them the opportunity, Joe.

Oh, yeah?

Bye.

Bye.

Hello there. Hello, Mimi.

Coop, ask Mrs Mills to spare me

a few moments at the end of the day, would you, please?

- Just Mrs Mills, Judge? - I'll see Mrs Channing separately.

Okay.

Judge, Mrs Mills didn't feel it appropriate to meet you.

Not ever?

She didn't say.

Oh, do me a favour, Brian.

Anything at all for you, Rita, I've got the kettle on.

No, I need somebody to look after Mimi. The Judge has disappeared.

- What, into thin air? - I'm assuming...

It's difficult to keep up with him these days.

Perhaps you shouldn't try, Rita.

Well, I suppose I could look after her.

It's just I'm not very good with animals. Dogs make me nervous.

What, tiny little Mimi? It's only for a short while.

She won't bite, Brian, she's vegetarian.

Yeah, so is the Judge.

Back.

Nice doggie.

- (KNOCKING ON DOOR) - Here.

Sir John Deed is here, miss.

Oh. Tell him I've gone.

Uh... The thing is, he's here.

No, I'm shortly to appear before him.

That's what he's here about.

- Thank you, Tony. - I'll organise you some tea.

It's not that sort of occasion, thank you, Tony.

- What? - Nothing. Nothing.

I need to take your view about my hearing this case.

- Did you ask to hear it? - No, Monty Everard asked me to.

Does George have a view?

I'm talking to both sides.

Then can we rely on your impartiality?

Can you rely on anybody for that?

It's especially important here.

Marc and I have set a date for our wedding.

I see. When?

During the boys' half-term.

Oh, well.

That seems indecently hasty.

It's what we want.

Is your case going to be ready?

Well, it's now or never for this claimant,

- she's so very ill. - Hmm.

You look good.

Aren't you going to wish me well?

I'm not sure that I want to see you happily married.

My mind is made up.

Well, see you in court.

Well, at least in your current mood you won't favour Jo.

- George, I never did that. - It looked that way.

And are you equally concerned that I might be prejudiced towards her?

There's an awful lot riding on this case for the Government.

George, you shouldn't tell me that.

As if you didn't know.

Was it Neil who got the Chief to offer me the War Crimes job?

Well, very possibly. It's not the most sought-after judicial office.

Would you like to have dinner?

With a little more notice, maybe.

I'm meeting Neil at the Commons.

All right.

This Iraqi's widow has something, John, but she's going about it the wrong way.

How should she go about it?

Judicial review of the MOD's refusal to order an inquiry into the use of DU.

I mean, she'll get nowhere trying to claim

that her family died as a direct result

of our troops using depleted uranium in their tank shells.

Is there a case under the 1998 Act?

The Lord Justice Rix and Mr Justice Forbes made that quite clear.

- Hmm. - The deaths of relatives

of the claimants in Iraq at the time when UK was an occupying power

did not fall within the scope of the European Convention.

No, she should seek judicial review, john, it's clear-cut.

Well, why don't you hear it? You've got a ticket.

I'm not sure I can.

She'll need a decent lawyer. Would Mrs Mills run with it?

She's not very accommodating to me at present.

Well, she seems made for it. Yep, I'm late.

Why, I've never seen him so animated.

Yes, I think we've got him hooked.

USHER: All rise.

Mrs Channing.

There is no good legal foundation for this.

Mrs Bridges' claim that she fell to Motor Neurone Disease

as a result of a mobile phone mast on a block of flats

owned by Rotherwas Council is without evidential foundation.

The defence is based on the Court of Appeal's ruling

that on the balance of probabilities, there is no real risk from phone masts.

Instead, there is only a perceived risk.

And as such, there is no reason for stopping masts.

T-Mobile UK Ltd and others

and the Secretary of State and Harrogate Borough Council,

decided by the Court of Appeal, 2004.

Yes, I am familiar with the ruling. Mrs Channing, thank you. Mrs Mills?

The type of mast referred to in the case my learned friend cited

are very different from the mast on top of the block

where Mr and Mrs Bridges live.

This is a TETRA mast, which emits pulsed waves

at 17.6 megahertz in phases of four.

These types of masts are used by the police

for their internal communications.

17.6 megahertz is very close to the 16 megahertz brainwaves in humans,

and as such, cause brain dysfunction.

One such dysfunction is the depletion of calcium in the brain,

a significant contributory factor in Motor Neurone Disease.

Mrs Bridges has developed this illness

since the mast was erected on top of their flat.

Five other people, from a total of 198 in the block,

have also developed Motor Neurone Disease.

Three people, including Mr Bridges, have developed stomach cancer,

whilst two have leukaemia.

Statistically, one person in 100,000 is likely to develop any of these diseases.

We would ask that you set this down for a full hearing

at the earliest possible date.

Mrs Channing.

According to Disraeli, there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

The statistics my learned friend has presented do not form a case.

The head of the Institute of Scientific Research

said recently that there is no link between phone masts and ill health

other than neurosis from perceived risk.

Their lordship's ruling in the Court of Appeal was that

we cannot halt progress simply because

we believe these things are making us ill.

Thank you, Mrs Channing.

I don't think we could infer quite such a sweeping conclusion

from the Court of Appeal's decision.

Technology and social knowledge of it is very developmental

and so should the law be.

The Court of Appeal did not freeze-dry this important part of common law.

I am going to set this down for a hearing. Mr Harrison?

Yes, my lord. The earliest date would be the 29th, I'm afraid.

Hmm, is there nothing sooner? How frail is Mrs Bridges' health?

Her most recent medical prognosis. The matter is very urgent.

- All right. Mr Harrison? - You could fit it

at the beginning of next week, my lord.

- Monday? - Hmm.

All right, Monday? Monday it is.

But, my lord, that hardly gives us time enough to assemble our witnesses.

You must have known of this possibility, Mrs Channing. Do your best.

10:00, Monday.

USHER: All rise.

Ask Mrs Mills to join me in chambers, would you, Coop?

Just Mrs Mills, Judge?

Mrs Channing's not going to be interested in the Iraqi widow, is she?

Mrs Mills, the Judge wants a word.

- Is it a summons or a request? - Oh, it's a request.

Well, perhaps he's going to offer you something to win you back.

George, he has more chance of winning you back.

- (KNOCKING ON DOOR) - Yeah.

- Mrs Mills, Judge. - Do you want some tea?

Got a lot of work to get ready before Monday.

Thanks, Coop.

How's Michael? Mimi misses him.

He's involved in so many activities at school,

getting home at the weekend seems like a distraction.

Doesn't he like going home?

What's this about, John?

Have you heard from Mrs Hussein,

the widow of a former minister in the Iraqi Government?

Should I have?

She's written to prominent lawyers looking for abstract justice.

She wants to sue the Government

over the use of depleted uranium in shells in Iraq.

- You're an obvious choice. - Well, clearly not obvious enough.

Come on. You're hardly an unknown.

Then how come I'm not the youngest High Court judge on the bench?

Perhaps I chose the wrong person to sleep with.

But you were never very good at choosing.

Well, who pursued me when I was his pupil,

even when my husband was dying?

Well, I feel guilty about that, but I don't regret it.

No, you said regret was a waste of life.

I do regret how I treated you. I wish I could put that right.

I am still in love with you.

No, John, you're pursuing something you can no longer have,

whilst pursuing someone you obviously can.

Ouch.

Jo, I will carry on loving you no matter what you do, or I do.

Don't, John, please. It's not just Marc I have to think about,

there's Michael, too.

We could start again. We could do it better.

No, John.

It's too late. I am marrying Michael's father.

Would you read Mrs Hussein's file?

- I haven't got time. I need a life. - Jo.

This is your life.

So will your neurosurgeon actually give evidence for us?

Yeah, I'm sure he will.

Well, I need all the help I can get.

It's going to be hard to prove phone masts cause Motor Neurone Disease.

- Did Mr Mansridge tell you that? - No, of course not.

Why... Why are you putting these plates out?

Oh, did you want to eat out?

No, I don't want this china used!

Why? Is there something wrong with them?

Jo! You constantly question what I ask.

It's like I'm being cross-examined by you the whole time.

- No, I wasn't doing that. - I asked you not to use them.

- Marc, what's wrong? - It's just the two of us.

Aren't the boys home tonight?

No, they had to do something at school. I did tell you.

We lead such busy lives.

What's wrong? You are so tense.

- Nothing. - Is it something I've done?

No.

(EXHALES) I may...

I may have to go back to South Africa,

answer questions about some procedures I helped pioneer.

What sort of procedures?

Can I help?

No, it's nothing, really, it's just stupid people.

Sorry.

Uh, justice may demand that Mrs Hussein gets a hearing in an English court,

which she has no hope in hell of doing so, not even with you pushing it.

It won't stop me trying, Joe.

Yeah, but the cost to the Government, should she win, would be colossal.

And what's that got to do with justice?

Well, when hasn't it?

If the use of depleted uranium is as extensive as she claims,

then the whole area would be contaminated.

Those radioactive particles have a half life of four and a half billion years.

Well, the present government expects to be in office that long.

Yeah, well, there is favourable jurisprudence here.

Uh, the Rachel Lubbe case.

The defendant in that case controlled, from England,

the actions of those running the asbestos mines in South Africa.

If Mrs Hussein can prove, as Mrs Lubbe did,

that substantial justice would not be done in the local jurisdiction,

then England can be ruled the forum conveniens.

But it'd be a long, hard legal wrangle, John.

- It might be worth trying, though. - Yes.

- Jo? - Hmm?

- It's gone 2:00. - Yeah, I'm almost done.

You can't push yourself like this the whole time.

This Iraqi woman lost her entire family.

She wants the British use of depleted uranium

to be publicly reviewed in court.

Well, it won't bring them back.

No.

Darling, I'm always concerned for how this will exhaust you.

Why don't you think about yourself more, maybe take on less work?

Especially with our wedding coming up.

Yes, I will. I promise you.

CHARLIE: Unreal. Breakfast at 9:00 on a Saturday.

You never used to get out of bed before midday when you were a teenager. Thanks.

I still don't.

How's that stalking barrister of yours?

He's okay.

I don't want a serious relationship right now. He'd be competition.

How's it going with you and dame Morag?

Nothing's gonna change with you and Jo, Dad, until you change.

I remain eternally optimistic.

On what basis?

You going to do this research for me?

Why not? I've only got three cases I'm running and no social life.

- You're too conscientious. - How can you not be, Dad?

Well, most barristers recognise

that 85% of their clients who get to court are guilty.

- You didn't. - Yeah, well,

I didn't have a social life, either.

And here I am agreeing to help a potential litigant access to justice

like there's a shortage of cases.

I get it from you, then.

Well, you could have been like your mum.

Well thought of, well placed, well paid.

Yeah, but she's not happy, though, is she?

I'd be surprised if she was, living with a politician.

I'll do your research.

On the internet, in the small hours, instead of going clubbing.

- Michael? - Yeah?

That's pretty impressive.

Could you live in one of those?

Yeah.

Are you glad you're back?

School's much better. England seems very crowded.

Huh, it's gonna get worse.

The Government wants to build another four million houses.

They can build them in South Africa. There's loads of room there.

Michael, do your brothers ever talk about their mother?

No, they're not allowed to.

- Why not? - She did leave them, Jo.

Hmm. Do they miss her?

Best not to talk about her.

- How serious are you at Scrabble? - Well, we can beat Dad.

So can I. We mustn't go in there.

- Why? It's the sitting room. - Dad doesn't like us in his room.

- Well, we'll be very tidy. - He doesn't want us to.

He says there has to be one room in the house that doesn't get messed up.

I'll take responsibility. Come on.

Come on, you.

Is the Lord Chancellor joining us?

He hopes to shortly, along with the Lord Chief Justice.

Well, the Chief is really the only person who can remove Deed.

From this current case?

You know he can't do that, Home Secretary.

The Home Office has spent 2.6 billion on this phone system.

We hope to recoup some of this by selling it to police forces abroad.

If there's a huge negative impact from this case, we won't be able to.

Well, worse still, Ian, if the system is flawed, it will have to be removed.

The system isn't flawed.

Yeah, well, there are questions.

No, it's in court because of the perversity of our judges.

The case has some merit, sir.

Isn't this meeting to ensure it hasn't?

If you pressure Deed, Percy, he does the opposite to what you want.

I thought Deed was in a compromised position

for failing to report his daughter to the Bar Council.

It's a minor peccadillo, Home Secretary.

Oh, is it?

We should discuss Mr Justice Deed's long and medium-term future, sir.

Neither of which helps the Home Office over its current predicament.

Well, it might for future crises, Percy.

What we need is for the courts to function smoothly.

Then the proposal is?

In the medium term, sir, it might be very convenient

if by chance Sir John were to be called for jury service.

Is this quite serious?

I mean, that would only tie him up for a fortnight.

And isn't selection supposed to be random?

Yes, it is, sir.

The right sort of trial, however, could last a lot, lot longer than two weeks.

And long-term?

Send him off to The Hague to represent our side

at one of the War Crimes Tribunals.

Where he causes as many problems.

Then they'd be for the Foreign Office to deal with.

My problem is current, Ian.

The master of the rolls feels Mr Justice Deed must be bound

by the Appeal Court's ruling in the previous phone masts case.

Ah, if Deed was constrained by rules and judicial precedence,

I'd feel encouraged, Mr James.

He never has been.

JAMES: Then he would be appealed, sir.

This had better not go that far.

Send me an email with the Lord Chancellor's view. Percy.

DEED: Mrs Mills.

With your leave, because of Mrs Bridges' frail health,

I'd like to call her before the experts.

Sure.

Are you Gillian Bridges of 64 Harbury House

and are you a computer operator?

Yes, but I can't work.

Can you tell the court what happened to you?

About three and a half years ago,

I began to feel drained, so tired.

Eventually, I could barely get out of bed.

What did your doctor say?

He thought it was chronic fatigue. Then later, ME.

Then my husband got ill.

He was a policeman, so he was always physically fit.

But he kept feeling sick.

The doctors found stomach cancer.

Can you recall any incident that caused a life change?

The mast they put on our roof.

Four years ago now.

That was the start of everyone's troubles.

What happened?

The council sold the roof space to One-Way, the phone company.

They had a contract to put in this TETRA system for the police.

- Were you warned about this? - No. They didn't ask our permission.

- Was there no sort of consultation? - The council said it was legal.

- Do you own your flat? - Yes. 24 others do, too.

But the council hold the head lease.

I see. Thank you.

Mrs Bridges, did you notice any changes following the siting of the mast?

When the phone company switched it on,

it was like suddenly I was shocked awake.

It happened dozens of times a night.

Did it affect anyone else in the building?

Nearly everyone.

And at the school just behind us,

23 children were sent home

with headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds

in the first week the mast was switched on.

Did they know that the mast had been switched on?

No.

No one warned them.

When we complained,

the council's Health and Safety Officer said the mast was harmless.

The police were using them up and down the country.

"They were perfectly safe," he said.

Thank you.

Did your husband use this system when he was a policeman?

Yes. A lot of officers had similar symptoms.

Jake started doing research on the internet.

He found that the Police Federation had commissioned its own report.

Policemen weren't just getting ill, three died.

Not just from the masts,

but from the receivers they carried on their belts.

Mrs Bridges, we don't know if that is so, do we?

Unless you have clear proof?

No.

Did the Federation publish its report?

They sat on it,

- under pressure from the Home Office. - Ah...

Do you know that for a fact, Mrs Bridges?

No.

But we think that's what happened.

You see, that might prove the case, but unless you show it so,

I can't make any use of it when I come to make my judgement, you see?

Go on.

Did you read the report?

Yes.

Do you want to take a rest, Mrs Bridges?

No.

Mrs Bridges, what was it in that report

that you thought the Home Office wanted to suppress?

My lord...

Well, fortunately we don't have an impressionable jury,

do we, Mrs Channing?

But be careful, Mrs Mills.

Mrs Bridges?

It said that this government,

its scientists and the phone industry

will be responsible for more civilian deaths

- in peacetime... - Hey?

...than all the terrorist organisations put together.

Mrs Bridges, before you fell ill,

did you work at home on a computer or in an office?

Both. Mostly at an office.

Was it a big office with many computers?

About 30 or so.

And how long did you work there?

About seven years,

until illness forced me to give it up.

Did you ever come across a report by Professor Ian Kennedy Martin,

low-level frequency radiation, the sort emitted from computers,

indeed by television sets, light bulbs, electrical wiring?

No.

Well, if you had, Mrs Bridges,

and before you were made aware of TETRA phone masts,

you might be suing the computer manufacturer

or even your ex-employers.

Professor Kennedy Martin ascribes to computer use

all the symptoms that you ascribe to a harmless phone mast.

Mrs Mills returned the Mrs Hussein file.

She said she's too busy.

- Has she gone? - She was on her way out.

George?

Was your day better than mine?

The victim was in the witness box.

Fortunately, we don't have a jury and the medical evidence

can't prove the source of Motor Neurone Disease.

You have to win this, George.

I've spent an awful lot of taxpayers' money on this phone system

and I'm going to have to spend an awful lot more

getting it right if it goes pear-shaped.

It's not just the money.

It'd look like we don't care about our policemen or anyone else.

Well, there's no research that says these masts are dangerous.

None says they're safe, either.

You'd better shower and change or we'll be late.

Oh, I don't know if I want to go.

I've spent rather a lot on a new dress!

He's dying to see you. There's Monty.

Ah, Monty. Nice to see one friendly face.

Ah, you're the guest of honour.

I didn't give these people the pay rise they wanted.

Oh, I'm sure they don't blame you, darling.

Hello, Vera.

- Did someone paint that dress on you? - Oh!

To think, I once had a figure like that before I had children.

Is anyone getting a drink

or are we all going to be breathalysed when we get out of here?

I mean, it's all right for you. You've still got your official car.

Well, I don't drink alcohol, Monty.

Well, we do.

Oh.

- There we are, Vera... - Hmm.

Monty.

Oh, don't go. Thank you.

Oh, Tim! How nice.

George.

You look like you've just stepped off the catwalk.

Well, I could stand here and listen to this all evening.

Is Neil here?

Hmm?

I suppose he's had to play the host.

The Home Office are paying for this, after all.

Oh, I thought my company was.

Hmm. Well, the champagne is rather good.

Uh, you know Monty and Vera Everard, Tim Listfield.

Yeah. Uh, if you'll excuse me, George.

Hmm. What's got into him, Vera?

I'll go and find out.

How's your case going, George?

Oh. Early days.

My company stands to lose a lot of money.

You know we're in front of the Deed?

Deja vu.

Hardly, Tim.

Gosh, I miss you.

Would you like to have dinner one night?

What? Just me?

Would Neil care?

Well, that depends what you have in mind.

I'd better find him.

I'm surprised you've got the nerve to turn up, Tim.

The Home Office had the nerve to ask my company to pay.

Oh, I didn't know that.

I thought it was rapprochement.

There is a sensitive case going on involving One-Way's phone system.

Well, neither my company nor the Home Office is being sued.

Your company installed the system for the police.

It could track back to you and me, Tim.

We should talk about that.

Let's have breakfast.

Home Secretary. Hello, Tim.

He's wanted, is he, Percy?

They are ready.

I'll have my assistant fix up a meeting, Neil.

Do you want to meet him?

I'll think about it.

Right. Mrs Mills, come with me, please.

- Well, just give me a minute. - No, no, this won't wait. Come on.

Okay.

How do we like our towels?

Clean. Fresh-smelling.

Neatly folded. Yours and mine in their own places.

Is it to do with hygiene?

Well, cross-infection in hospital can be devastating.

- But Marc... - Hmm.

We're not in hospital.

See, now you're being a lawyer, argumentative.

Why don't we celebrate our differences? Hmm?

Okay.

Marc, the other day when I was playing Scrabble with the boys...

- Mmm-hmm. - ...they wouldn't go

into the sitting room. They said it was your room.

Yeah. That's right. It's a sanctuary of order.

Marc, the whole house is.

What's this, a speech for the defence?

Look, children need boundaries.

Better off with them, aren't they?

I suppose.

They are well-behaved, I grant you.

I've got a really, really early start tomorrow.

USHER: All rise.

Mrs Mills.

I'm afraid Mrs Bridges is not well enough to be recalled.

Is she likely to be well enough in the near future?

Well, her lungs are collapsing due to her chest muscles wasting.

- We might have a result there. - I think we might.

Do you have another witness available?

Yes, Professor Richard Brams. He's emeritus professor

of Molecular Neurology at Oxford University.

- A leading expert? - He is. He may not admit it.

Professor Brams, have you read the May 2000 report

of the Independent Expert Group on mobile phones and health,

- the Stewart report? - You know I've read it

and what I think of it.

Nevertheless, Professor, can you open your bundle?

It's bundle C, item three.

I don't think any more of it than I did when it was written.

Less, in fact, on reflection.

- Why is that? - This technology moves on daily,

- the Stewart report hasn't. - Are you saying it's out of date?

It is. There was useful information in the report,

mostly hidden.

The report basically says that mobile phones are safe to use.

They're not.

Uh, phone masts are more dangerous, TETRA masts more dangerous still...

In your opinion, Professor.

Yes, everything I say is my opinion.

Why are TETRA masts so dangerous, uh, your opinion, Professor?

Because pulsed electromagnetic waves at 17.6 megahertz

interfere with our natural brain rhythm.

Even Stewart warned against using any communication instruments

that pulse above 16 megahertz for that very reason.

Have you examined the mast on top of Harbury House?

You know I did.

Yes, Professor. Can you tell the court what type of mast it is?

Yeah. It's a TETRA mast pulsating at 17.6 megahertz.

In excess of the 16 megahertz advised by the Stewart Committee.

Hmm. 17.6 is in excess of 16!

What happens to people

when they're exposed to this sort of electromagnetic pulse?

I don't know. All people are different. They react in different ways.

If you want to ask me what's likely,

a great deal of cellular change takes place in the brain

to people living near a mast.

Are these changes beneficial?

There are never beneficial changes in cells from low-level radiation.

Is exposure to low-level waves harmful, then?

That's what scientists are continually arguing about.

Those that are employed

by the manufacturers of this technology say they're not.

I am of the opinion that low-level electromagnetic radiation

leads to heart problems, blood problems, tumours,

calcium interference, reduction of night-time melatonin.

People sleeping within range of a TETRA mast,

such as the one where Mr and Mrs Bridges live,

- could be severely affected. - Oh.

- Increased arthritis. - Goodness.

Ear problems, leukaemia, childhood cancer,

sleep problems, depression...

Is there some difficulty, Mrs Channing?

- No, my lord. - Hmm. Mrs Mills.

Is all this information well-documented?

It is.

And even more serious is microwave radiation

changes the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

What happens then?

Well, uh, microwaves affect the particles in the body

by changing their size.

They can change them both smaller and larger.

By changing the permeability at the blood-brain barrier

and changing the size of the particles,

unwanted particles can enter or leave the brain.

It's likely that calcium particles leaving the brain

caused Mrs Bridges' Motor Neurone Disease.

Mrs Channing.

Are you an expert on Motor Neurone Disease, Professor?

I'm expressing an opinion.

Is it not true that no one knows the cause of MND?

Microwaves change the permeability of the blood-brain barrier,

calcium efflux results.

That's little more than coincidence, is it not?

Well, if all these so-called coincidences are piled

one on top of another,

there comes a point we have to consider it a fact.

Had you proceeded with your brain research on that basis,

then tried to get it peer reviewed, you'd have been laughed at.

That is the only way a lot of science can go forward,

by hypothesis, by imaginative leaps.

You said, in both oral and written evidence,

that the mast on Mr and Mrs Bridges' block

gives off microwaves,

that these can cause damage in cells, in humans...

And animals. Animals as well.

Police dogs and horses kept in police stations

where they've got TETRA masts are adversely affected.

There's no conclusive proof

that microwaves cause such problems, is there?

What do you call conclusive?

What the courts accept.

Courts of law cannot test matters of science.

This point has been made time and again.

All courts of law can do is to accept the opinion of scientists

when we say "an effect follows a given cause".

It's my opinion that low-level radiation is bio-accumulative.

What does that mean, Professor?

When massive radiation hits the cells of a body,

then the immune system responds with vitamins

to repair the site.

Unfortunately, the immune system doesn't recognise low-level radiation

which accumulates in the cells, causing them to break down.

When it does, it's too late for the body to respond.

Are you saying, then, that everyone will be adversely affected?

Well, assuming the theory is true.

No, no, no, no. Not necessarily.

Just as not every smoker dies of lung cancer.

It depends how close you live to a mast what your susceptibility is.

So, what in your opinion is the danger zone?

Up to two kilometres. The closer you are, the more at risk.

This is a theory, Professor. There is no conclusive proof.

The converse is true, too.

There was conclusive proof that thalidomide was safe,

that smoking wasn't a problem, that beef was safe to eat.

The Home Office sought the opinion of my colleagues at Oxford

about TETRA masts and they chose to ignore their advice

not to go ahead.

Calm down, darling, the report wasn't conclusive.

But why didn't you warn me?

I didn't want to worry you. Are you cross?

Well, it made me look a fool.

Deed wouldn't think that of you. I'm sure he wouldn't, darling.

Neil, what's going on?

Your own scientists condemned the TETRA system.

This is a big setback. You're taking it much too lightly.

The Prime Minister assured me we're not walking away from this,

especially after such a huge expenditure.

We'll see it through.

Do you want them to pat me down to see if I'm bugged?

I'll rely on our mutual interest in these phone masts.

Now, what can be done?

Too late to do much now you've let it get to court.

For such a powerful man, Tim, you have a small understanding

of how the Judiciary and the Executive work.

You need a businessman running things, Neil.

What's your solution for dealing with this case?

If you can't take the case out of court,

take the court out of the case.

Negotiate.

There must be something the Bridges want.

I suspect all they want, Tim, is their health back.

There is something else.

You tell me what. It mustn't look like capitulation.

Detective Sergeant Bridges

won't want to be prosecuted for corruption.

Was he corrupt?

He was a policeman, Neil. His entire squad was on the take.

Two former colleagues will give evidence to that effect

if you can guarantee them immunity from prosecution.

Tim, you still manage to take one's breath away

with the most startlingly direct action.

Can you guarantee these two policemen immunity?

Of course. We'd need to look at what evidence you've got.

USHER: All rise.

Mrs Mills, do you wish to re-examine Professor Brams?

It is with regret

that I have to inform the court that my client is withdrawing her claim.

Has her health deteriorated?

There was no explanation.

Would you like an adjournment to inquire after her health?

That's hardly fair to my clients.

Mrs Channing, the determination of this case

has potentially significant social repercussions.

Having amassed all of this written argument,

it's important to clarify the reasons for its apparent abandonment.

This is all very odd, and I don't like oddities in my court.

- Mrs Mills. - An adjournment would be helpful.

- All right. How long would you like? - Uh, would you hear an argument

as to why we must not continue with this?

Yeah. Go on.

Rule 38 of the Civil Procedure Rules permits discontinuation of a case

without judicial authority being sought.

Moreover, I would like to address your lordship

on a matter of human rights jurisprudence

in relation to issues of conclusiveness in civil litigation.

I have in mind the reasoning

in Perez de Rada Cavanilles and Spain in 1998,

29 EHR 109.

Perez de Rada...?

Cavanilles.

All right.

Well, in Williams and Cowle in 2000, Lord Justice Mummery

wisely observed that we must resist the temptation

to turn a court hearing into a human rights seminar.

However, not being familiar with this particular case,

Mrs Channing, I will adjourn to consider it properly.

My clerk will inform you when I have done so.

- How long might that be? - My clerk will inform you.

USHER: All rise.

You had that very point raised at the Strand earlier this year, Judge.

Really, Coop?

Must have forgotten.

I beg you to reconsider going on with the case.

No. You can't make us. I've made my decision.

- And what about Mrs Bridges? - She's not well enough.

But was it her decision?

This is a terribly important test case.

A lot of people are suffering because of these masts,

- a lot of policemen, too. - Then someone else can do it.

Your wife has the strongest case.

You can't win, Mrs Mills, not against those people.

Has something happened that you haven't told me?

I've given you my answer.

I'll call you, Jake.

JAKE: Mrs Mills?

That looks unhealthy.

What?

You're eating alone.

Yeah, you know, sometimes I just can't be bothered

to go out and pick anyone up.

This is a side of you I've not seen before.

I have my moments.

Jack Bridges was got at, that's why he stopped.

Got at how?

A former colleague told him he'd be prosecuted for corruption

if he went on with the case, he'd lose his pension.

- Had he given them cause? - Why would I ask him that?

Does he realise his former colleague

could be arrested for not coming forward sooner?

Of course. Doesn't help him.

Is he going to continue with the case?

I need to get him immunity from prosecution.

Can you help?

Only the Attorney can do that.

Well, can I bring him to your chambers tomorrow?

For what reason?

I don't know. You'll think of something.

Well, who do you think is behind all this, then?

Well, it's obvious. The Home Secretary and Tim Listfield.

- Evidence? - John, since when did Listfield

ever leave evidence behind him?

He's got the most to lose.

All right, bring him to chambers at 10:30 tomorrow morning...

Thank you. George will have to be there as well.

Yeah.

And if he does go on with this,

you'd better be sure of your other witnesses.

MARC: Why must everything be as Deed says? He dominates everything.

JO: I need your client's evidence. MARC: I told you, I can't make him.

JO: These people are dying. Does that mean nothing to him?

Look, Jo, if you haven't got a case, you haven't.

And nothing I or Brian Mansridge says will change that.

JO: Michael's mother died from a brain tumour

caused by a cell phone. Does that mean nothing?

I don't want to discuss this in front of the children.

Yeah, I'm sorry.

But have you actually asked Mr Mansridge?

Look, why don't we just drop this, get the dinner started

and we discuss it later, hmm?

- I don't think I can stay. - What?

Do you have to go?

Oh, I'm sorry, darling. I've got too much work.

See you at the weekend.

I have no knowledge of this. It's shameful to suggest that I have.

George, no one is suggesting that.

Well, then, why have you brought Mr Bridges here like this?

If what Mr Bridges claims is true,

then the officer concerned will be arrested.

But who would risk such consequences when the case isn't even winnable?

Even so, the police inspector

making the allegations will be interviewed.

Ah!

Were you involved in what your former colleague alleged?

- George, you know better than that. - I wasn't.

Well, then, you have nothing to fear.

Only another court case. Another I probably can't win.

Another endless nightmare for my family!

- Excuse me, my lord. - Hmm.

Can't you give him immunity?

Only the Attorney can do that.

He won't be very well-disposed if you push on with Mrs Hussein's case.

What have you got on that one?

All the details of the South African asbestos cases, Lubbe v. Cape PLC.

The claimants won the right to sue here.

I haven't really studied them, but couldn't they help Mrs Hussein?

- It's not easily argued, I don't think. - You could take this case, Dad.

The Lord Chancellor would jump all over me.

All right. I'll talk to the Attorney.

The consequences for government and manufacturing in this country

would be too awful if the DU case went forward.

- It certainly should go forward. - Not in front of you, John.

Well, it depends on how long Mrs Hussein has to wait.

She's, uh, she's a bit mad, isn't she?

How would you feel if you'd lost your spouse,

your children and your grandchildren?

Yes, but did she lose them, as she claims, to depleted uranium?

That's a question for a judge.

Deed is very keen to get immunity from prosecution for the ex-policeman.

Well, he certainly can't have that.

Bridges will have to take his chances if they go on with the case.

That's for me to decide.

Yes, I can't be seen to be involved, with George in the case.

There's a risk it will look like it came from the Home Office.

It certainly didn't.

Is Deed planning to hear the Iraqi widow case?

- No, he's not so foolish. - Well, perhaps we should encourage him.

Are we still pushing this idea of jury service for Deed?

It's the most effective option.

He must dismiss this phone masts case.

We're still trying, Neil.

What are you going to do about Mr Bridges?

Well, if the threat was to prevent the case from proceeding,

it's perverting the course of justice, isn't it?

You'd need good evidence.

- Yeah. - Oh, thank you.

Do you have a ticket for the administrative court?

Yeah.

You could review the MOD's refusal to hold an inquiry into depleted uranium.

Wouldn't your asking me carry the same prejudice as you hearing it?

Mmm-hmm, yes, you'd get a lot of pressure.

You could give me chapter and verse on the Judiciary's inviolable right

not to be interfered with.

You should go to school, Jamie. It's best.

Did you hear me?

Jamie.

Why can't you go on with the case? You've got to, Dad.

Well, these things are never that easy, son.

I've let you all down. I'm sorry.

Jake.

USHER: All rise.

Mrs Mills.

My clients haven't contacted me.

Has anyone gone to inquire after Mrs Bridges' health?

Yes. Might we have a further adjournment?

This is intolerable. The claimants have declared

they're not going on with their claim.

Are we now going to wait for my learned friend to persuade them?

- No one is trying to persuade them. - That's what it looks like.

Well, your people put pressure on them.

Now, that's enough. Address the court, not each other.

No one put pressure on your corrupt clients.

The Home Office did.

One more word out of either of you, I will hold you in contempt.

This is absolutely absurd. This has nothing to do with...

The Government, the Home Office...

I've had enough of this. Get them out.

Adjourn it, please.

Ladies!

Are you after my job, Brian?

Uh, it's not for the Judge, Rita. Mrs Channing asked for it.

What a cheek.

Let her instructing solicitor get her tea from the lobby.

Well, she doesn't drink vending machine tea, Rita.

She said she wanted a proper cup of tea.

- Asked for a proper cup, I see. - And some cake.

Is that what she asked for? She is the absolute limit.

I don't think it's for you to fetch and carry for these barristers, Brian.

I know, Rita, but you know what she's like.

Any idea how long the Judge is going to keep them locked up in there?

Well, until they learn to behave themselves.

Well, in that case, I'd better remove the file I've hidden

in the Battenberg cake.

- Take it back, Brian. - Yes, Rita.

Have you forgotten Mrs Mills and Mrs Channing, Judge?

Haven't they killed each other yet?

I'll go and see them.

Oh!

George, you're driving me mad.

Well, you did the same to me for a very, very long time.

- That was all in the past. - Oh, how convenient.

This is just a clever ploy to get your clients back on board.

Your boyfriend got Sussex police to put pressure on Jake Bridges to quit!

- Oh, very good. - Of course he did.

- Go to hell! For God's sake! - George, live in the real world!

Do you two want to spend the night in here?

This is completely outrageous!

Let the usher know when you're ready to apologise.

- John, John! - I want to speak to...

Oh!

- They want to apologise, Judge. - Good.

Ask Mrs Mills to join me, would you?

- Everyone had given up on you. - Are we too late?

I'll tell the Judge's clerk.

- Come in. - Mrs Mills, Judge.

Thanks, Coop.

- Your clients are back. - Yes, thank you.

Your second expert'll need to be good.

- How are things with Marc? - Fine. Why wouldn't they be?

I live in hope.

I came here to apologise.

Did Charlie talk to you about Mrs Hussein?

- She did. - Are you going to take the case?

She hasn't got any money.

- Legal aid. - Refused six times.

So, suddenly money is an issue for you?

You live in this rarefied atmosphere of large pensions.

- I have to pay for mine. - Yeah.

You'll need a good solicitor.

Charlie found one. We're having a con with Mrs Hussein this evening.

Oh.

No, Michael's at cello practice until 6:00.

Oh, Brian Mansridge will go to court, so who knows?

He was reluctant. Why don't you talk him through all the evidence first?

- We're not allowed to. - Hmm.

I'm still being pressed by the South African government.

They want me to return and give evidence about these drugs we tested.

- Marc, is this serious? - Hmm?

No, no, it's all about politicking and pharmaceutical companies.

I hope Brian proves useful.

I've got to go. I've got a con. I've decided to help Mrs Hussein.

Oh! Will I see you later?

- Might stay at my place tonight. - Right.

Bye.

How did you amass all this evidence?

I lost my husband, three children and seven grandchildren,

it makes you resourceful.

My husband was a member of the Government.

I knew my way around.

But you weren't affected by DU.

No. I wish to God I'd gone, too.

The parallel leukemic clusters around Dumfries and Galloway

where the British Army tests DU shells, is that on record?

- I have all the sources. - All?

Well, they also test for the Americans.

It's against their law to do it back home.

Uh, when Mrs Hussein tried to get more evidence,

the health authorities said there were no clusters.

But I got the emails from the health authorities admitting that there are.

Did you get them legally?

They lied, Mrs Mills.

It might not help.

Look, my dear, I'm very encouraged by your interest,

but don't underestimate your government or the Americans.

Sometimes, Mrs Hussein, our courts prove totally independent of government.

If this Hussein woman gets to court, it'll be a disaster.

- It is likely, Alan. - The Cabinet is seriously worried.

Well, unless and until the Executive changes the rules,

we can't interfere with due process..

Democracy sometimes makes for poor management.

They're trying to organise a wholly reliable judge for it.

Oh, well, that's something, at least.

- Can we get this to court, Jo? - Your Dad seems to think so.

- Do you miss him? - Did he ask you to ask?

No, of course not. He wouldn't do that.

I miss his incisive mind and his sense of fun.

Charlie, what would you think of someone who didn't let you into his room,

kept it for best?

- Is that what Marc does? - No, someone else.

- Jo, I think we're being followed. - What? Where?

There. Man in the Audi. I'm sure he was at the Law Library.

- Are you sure? - Come on, let's go and ask him.

No, Charlie, be careful.

Well, perhaps Mrs Hussein was right.

We shouldn't underestimate the Government's concern.

Morag.

I hear you've been given a ticket to hear cases in the administrative court.

I'm not sure why, Monty.

You could take the Hussein judicial review.

Oh, it's far too complicated. I'm just a girl, after all.

Mmm. No, I think you provide an excellent solution.

I'll have my clerk send over the papers.

Have I caught my lord in a state of undress?

A bit late in the morning.

- Have you got a moment? - Yeah, sure, I'm on my way to court.

Monty's just offered me the judicial review into the MOD's decision.

- Is it a poison chalice? - Depends what you decide.

I suggested you for it.

Ah!

Mr Mansridge, can you say what, if any, damage you've seen to humans

as the result of microwaves generated from cell phones and their masts?

Positive conclusive damage, I can't.

As a neurosurgeon, my area of expertise is the brain.

There's a suggestion that both phones and masts cause tumours.

Are you seeing these with more frequency?

There has been an increase, but it's not conclusive that masts are the cause.

Can you tell the court how big an increase?

Percentage-wise, probably 400-500% over the last 10 years.

In hard numbers, please.

- Uh, four to five per 100,000. - Thank you.

But as I say, these are not proven.

Well, then, is it your opinion

that phone masts are the cause of the increase?

Possibly. In the absence of any other evidences.

Have you found a connection between Motor Neurone Disease

and the effects of phone base stations such as in TETRA masts?

Not personally.

There are reports that calcium efflux occurs, but it's not a proven fact.

Well, then can you tell me your view on low-level radiation such as microwaves?

I've written several papers on the effects of microwaves on the brain.

My first concern started with the emergence of digital cell phones,

to give mobile phones their correct name.

Over the past 12 years have your concerns changed?

Well, nothing has confirmed that theory.

Although we do know that electromagnetic waves

going into our bodies make them act like aerials and generate electricity.

This goes to ground through the path of least resistance,

hormones, antibodies, neurotransmitters.

Is this necessarily harmful?

As an occasional occurrence, probably not.

The destination of hormones, antibodies, neurotransmitters

is the surface of a cell.

Here, useful chemicals can pass through the membrane into the cell

and poisons can come out.

This is the process cells go through all the while.

But if we change the charge on each carrier,

as when we're hit with low-level radiation,

then the beneficial substances may not go in

and the poisons may not come out and then you get cell breakdown.

This is just a theory?

Well, the effects of low-level radiation is, yes.

But certainly some sort of overload is causing more serious illnesses.

I see, thank you. Mrs Mills.

Is Motor Neurone Disease one possible illness?

Well, I can't say.

Only that I would not wish to live in close proximity to something as...

well, aggressive as TETRA.

Why is it so aggressive?

Well, as a result of pulsating waves,

we get the accumulative effect of 400 million particles,

neutrons, going through our bodies every second.

Now, the theory is that this suppresses the immune system

so we get colds for longer, longer illnesses,

depression, anxiety and even brain tumours.

DEED: Mrs Channing.

Is there evidence that the phone mast caused these problems?

Hard evidence? Of course not.

Nor epidemiological studies to support this theory?

No. No independent epidemiological studies have been conducted.

The Government's never insisted on a long-term study

into the safety of cell phones before they were marketed.

Why was that?

Because they were deemed safe?

Mr Mansridge, you were an observer on the Stewart Committee

when it reported on mobile phones.

Yes, yes, I was.

Well, did this report raise widespread concerns

about mobile phones and their masts?

No. No, it didn't.

Because presumably you were all part of the Government

and industry-wide conspiracy to make everyone ill in 10 years' time

so that they had no customers.

No, no, of course not.

Can you say how Motor Neurone Disease occurs?

I can't. Not categorically.

Can anyone point to its cause?

Not in any papers I've ever seen.

Thank you. Is MND on the increase?

It's on the rise, year by year by about 40% over the last 10 years, yes.

Caused by phone masts?

I can't say that.

Well, thank you, Mr Mansridge. You are released.

Mrs Channing, would you like to call your expert back-to-back?

Yes. Professor Carol Churchill of the Institute of Scientific Research.

Right. Well, perhaps tomorrow. Mrs Mills has another case.

Jo, I thought you wouldn't make it.

Sorry. My last witness was a complete disaster.

My lady, are we to assume that this application falls away?

Ah!

Get Charlie's wig out to her.

Mrs Mills, I was about to find for the Attorney.

I do apologise, my lady. I have trouble trying to be in two places at once.

MORAG: I do understand your problem.

Mr Attorney.

The application for judicial review by Mrs Hussein has no basis in law.

The MOD must not be answerable to an Iraqi citizen,

the widow of a minister in a then-enemy government.

Is Mrs Hussein an Iraqi citizen?

She gave up her British citizenship at the request of her husband 30 years ago.

The information the court would be asking the MOD to release

is highly classified.

It would be of undoubted benefit to an enemy.

Is there a likely enemy?

Well, the terrorist cells that breed so easily in a free society.

With all due respect to the Attorney,

I do think he's trying to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted.

There are reams of material on depleted uranium on the internet.

How it's used, how it's incorporated into tank shells,

what its devastating effects are.

- Do you have copies of this? - Yes, I do.

Thank you.

Well, despite this, we were in a state of war.

And as such, the army is both governed and protected by the law of war.

If every action in a state of war was subject to judicial review,

well, the government simply couldn't function.

Life in government would be difficult, I agree.

But now there is much judicial support

for proper legality, even in times of peril.

As Lord Atkin famously said in 1942, discentente,

"In this country, amid the clash of arms, the laws are not silent."

I'll hear Mrs Mills' argument before I hear you close, Mr Attorney.

Does being at war allow for the slow, tortuous death of non-combatants

long after ceasefire?

I'm not up on modern warfare. However, it would seem to me...

The hearing was very brief.

Oh. It's not over, it's just the opening skirmish.

Now the judge has to decide whether the MOD's decision should be reviewed.

- But will she hear it if she does? - Hopefully.

But the Government won't give in easily.

And I won't give up. I'd rather die first.

I'm sure they realise that.

Here.

MARC: Hi.

The clerk said you were still here. I thought you might like some dinner.

Did you speak to Brian Mansridge?

- Jo, I did warn you. - The Bridges are going to lose.

Yes, but Brian isn't to blame, nor are you.

I was the one who persuaded them to carry on.

I'd hoped we could convince the judge that those masts cause MND.

Mansridge's evidence was important. You should have spoken to him.

And told him what?

How to present his argument in a more positive light.

You could have taken a few more risks for us.

Jo, it's not my fault.

No, I know. But sometimes you have to take a risk.

Let's get some dinner.

Help.

I'm sure you'll be fine eventually.

Well, I like the meanwhile.

Good.

My spies tell me Mrs Justice Hughes went straight to Deed.

Are your spies more reliable than mine?

Can you also tell me what they talked about?

She will eventually.

- Can you trust this woman? - Oh, I'm very confident about her.

Professor Churchill, is there any evidence

that microwaves in low doses from TETRA masts

can do us any harm?

No. Long periods of exposure could possibly cause problems.

Has this ever been demonstrated?

Rats subjected to prolonged exposure of pulsed waves

did develop a change in cells.

And how long was that exposure?

150 continuous days.

Do rats use phones, professor?

I've never tried to call one, my lord.

Mrs Mills.

Isn't the ultimate test on humans?

That's the ultimate test for all products.

That doesn't make them unsafe when they reach the market.

Since radiation from TETRA penetrates deeper into the head,

isn't that a cause for concern?

Some scientists do subscribe to that concern, I don't.

A person living in close proximity to a TETRA mast

is likely to develop changes in their cells.

That hasn't been demonstrated.

(SIGHS) Do you have any interest in the phone companies

who develop this technology?

- Yes, I'm on the advisory committee. - And who pays that committee?

The phone companies, naturally.

Thank you.

Mrs Channing.

Why are the phone companies paying this committee, Professor?

To ensure their technology remains safe.

Neil, you're stupid not taking action against Bridges.

That threat of prosecution wasn't enough to stop their proceeding with the case.

Makes the Home Office look toothless.

To go ahead would make us appear vindictive.

We both stand to lose a great deal.

George is convinced the judge can't do other than rule in our favour.

This is more pleasant than coffee with most judges, my lady.

I still can't get used to that, Ian. I think I'm being sent up.

(CHUCKLES) Unlikely.

I can't tell you my decision in the case.

Are we standing on ceremony?

I have yet to arrive at it.

I hope Mr Justice Deed isn't proving too influential, Morag.

- Have you been spying on me? - The Home Secretary has.

How do you read her, Ian?

Frankly, I'm not too hopeful.

I'll alert the Cabinet.

- Where's Mrs Hussein? - Been trying to get her all morning.

- (GAVEL BANGING) - USHER: All rise.

Is the Attorney General not present?

He's being detained in the House of Commons, my lady.

Is Mrs Hussein not here, either?

We're trying to locate her.

I am of the opinion that permission should be granted

to allow a full oral hearing at a time and date to be determined.

Is there any indication of when that might be, my lady?

Is there a time constraint?

Mrs Hussein's permitted time in this country is running out.

Would you give me a moment, my lady?

Certainly.

JO: Where is she?

What?

Perhaps you'd share your excitement.

Mrs Hussein has been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

She's in Belmarsh.

That will not affect any hearing.

All rise.

USHER: All rise.

Ian!

How dare you walk out of my court in that fashion!

Your court? Who put you there?

However I got there, I'm there.

I would suggest you're being influenced by Mr Justice Deed.

It's a bad influence that will put you out of favour.

Then you will need friends. My lady.

On what grounds?

The Home Office did it. I guarantee it.

Charlie!

- Where is he? - What's going on?

- What's the matter? - Where is he?

You did this. Of all the cheap, despicable tricks.

Charlie, I will not have you talking to Neil like this.

- He had Mrs Hussein arrested. - Oh, don't be ridiculous.

There's no doubting whose daughter you are.

So deny it.

The Americans have asked us to hold on to her pending extradition.

She's been passing information to Iraqi insurgents in Baghdad.

Well, I'm going to get her out.

Oh, is she?

What are you gonna do, Chaz? Storm the citadel?

- Yeah, I feel like it. - Then storm it with law, my darling.

Arm yourself with the law.

We will take apart every syllable of the PTA.

Meanwhile, you just arm yourself with a good left hook,

because one of us is gonna floor Haughton.

- Yes? - (CHUCKLES) Yes.

Good. Well, we'll do that then, 'cause that's my idea

and my ideas are the best.

The evidence about the effects of low-level radiation

from phone masts is scandalously thin.

From base stations in the TETRA system, it is almost non-existent.

The industry tells us

that no harm results from either phone or mast.

Yet in one report, Dr Gerald Highland

of the International Institute of Biophysics said,

"It is criminally irresponsible to permit the roll-out

"of a technology which has undergone minimal testing

"and where what testing has been done shows health problems."

That TETRA masts pulsate at a rate dangerously close to human brainwaves

was something the Stewart Committee warned about.

The claimant, Mrs Bridges, developed Motor Neurone Disease,

it's alleged, from living under a TETRA base station

that Rotherwas Council allowed One-Way phones

to put on the top of her flat block.

Five other tenants have also developed Motor Neurone Disease.

Statistically, this is an aberration.

And written evidence for the defence suggests that such aberrations

occur elsewhere without a mast present.

These were not supported by long-term epidemiological studies.

It is the view of the court that the Government has failed

the general public miserably

by ignoring the internationally accepted precautionary principle

when weighing unknown risks.

It has allowed untested phone masts in general

and TETRA masts in particular

to be sited around the country near homes, schools and workplaces.

Therefore, on the balance of probabilities,

it is more likely than not, I find,

that the TETRA mast on top of Harbury House

was a significant contributing factor in Mrs Bridges' Motor Neurone Disease.

Thank you.

I am ordering Rotherwas Council to give the Bridges

and residents of Harbury House back their piece of mind

by removing the mast forthwith.

They must also alert all other residents of the presence

and potential danger of phone masts.

I am awarding as general damages for nuisance to Mrs Bridges

the sum of? 100,000.

The quantum of damages for personal injury was agreed between counsel

earlier as a global sum of? 858,346, including interest.

I further award the claimants this sum.

Hi, you coming my way?

John.

John, your ruling was very courageous.

Was it?

Seemed right at the time.

- It will be appealed. - Yes, I have no doubt.

And when you fight it, you ask the Court of Appeal judges

to sleep with their families under a TETRA phone mast.

That ought to concentrate their minds.