Original subtitles

(POLICE RADIO CHATTER)

I'm sorry... but it's true.

I had a homosexual relationship

with Jeremy Thorpe.

And if anyone wants to see me dead, it is him.

Now... tell me that again.

I had an affair with Jeremy Thorpe...

-Argh! -Jeremy Thorpe...

-is a Member of Parliament. -Argh!

And a highly-respected man.

He is not to be abused

by a lying little queer!

Ahh. (PANTING)

Oh.

My name is Mrs Edna Friendship.

I'm here about Norman Scott.

I'm afraid we're not allowing--

Mr Scott's would-be assassin is in his early thirties,

with brown hair and a moustache.

On Sunday 12th October, said gentleman

was seen in the vicinity

of the Market Inn, Barnstaple,

wearing a red rally jacket

and driving a yellow Honda, registration 589 LFT.

So... Now, you can stay on the front desk

all your life, sonny,

or you can pass on this information...

and get yourself promoted.

-(DOG BARKING) -Come on!

(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)

-(SIREN APPROACHING) -Get in!

(SIREN CONTINUES WAILING)

Mr Andrew Newton?

Maybe I am.

Oh. Oh! (CHUCKLES)

They've arrested Andrew Newton.

-Christ. -But we can trust him.

He's kept your name out of it.

He said that Norman Scott tried to blackmail him--

-Ssh, ssh. -...when he went looking

for ladies' services in a magazine.

Newton will say he got angry,

he shot the dog, it was all a silly mistake.

It's likely that he will go to prison, maybe 12 months,

but that's bearable and he will do it.

He will serve the time if...

he receives £5,000 on his release.

Now, I can pay the money via John Le Mesurier

and that's it, we're done.

We've bought his silence.

-John Le Mesurier? -Mm.

-Not the actor. -Obviously.

-Not the one from Dad's Army. -Obviously.

He was married to Hattie Jacques for a point.

David...

He can handle the transaction.

John Le Mesurier. Not the actor.

Er, it's nothing to do with us.

Except you know John Le Mesurier, yes?

Yes.

And you're godfather to my son.

Yes.

So there's a very clear connection back to me.

Jesus Christ, David! I don't... No, don't tell me!

Don't tell me. I don't know any of this.

I don't. I don't, do I? I never have.

I literally... I do not know.

And you will keep it that way, you idiot.

Norman Scott... will talk.

He doesn't know any of this is connected to you.

It is connected to me

and now you have given him centre stage.

You have put that stupid, babbling man in a court,

with a gun and a motive and a dead dog,

and on top of that, he's a bloody fairy.

He will love it.

My Lord, this whole thing is a travesty of justice...

because blaming that man with the gun is one thing.

But I blame the man who gave him orders.

The man who wants me dead.

The man with whom I had

a vigorous sexual relationship

for very many years,

and that man is Jeremy Thorpe.

(CAR HORN TOOTS)

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

(DOOR OPENS TO CHATTER)

Good morning.

What was your relationship with Mr Scott?

How are you, John? Morning, Adrian.

Elizabeth, new coat. Very nice.

What does Mrs Thorpe have to say?

I'm afraid I have a very busy day,

so good day to you all.

-Will you stand down? -So that's no comment?

Nice to see you.

This one calls you nauseous.

And look at the News Of The World.

"No-one would hang a cat on his word."

This is the worst.

"An erratic and desperate man

set on character assassination."

Maybe I should get some new photographs taken.

Norman, are you enjoying this?

-No. -You've got Fleet Street

on the attack.

And they smell blood. If I were you, I'd lay low.

I will not!

I've had quite enough of that, thank you very much.

I just need to prove he's lying.

Because I had evidence, years ago -

letters from Jeremy Thorpe -

but I gave them to the police.

-What did they do with them? -I don't know.

They put them on file or whatever the word is.

But the police keep everything, don't they?

What if they're still there?

Two letters from you to Scott.

Turns out they've been locked away since 1962.

These are just copies.

Norman Scott has demanded the originals back

and I've got no power to stop him.

I'm afraid to say, I think Scott will publish.

Oh, Christ, not this one.

But evidence goes missing all the time.

Policemen lie.

Why can't this stuff just disappear?

Why is everyone suddenly so bloody honest?

I'd advise that we find a safe newspaper

and publish the letters ourselves,

accompanied by an interview entirely in your favour.

I can't let people see these.

I can't deny there will be consequences,

but if you don't publish the letters, Scott will.

It'll be your version of events or his.

Well, then we have to cut that bit.

-No, we can't. -We have to cut that word.

-Which word? -That one.

-What one? -That one. "Bunnies"!

"Bunnies"?

"Bunnies"?

"Bunnies"?

Rupert, darling, I want you to take that piece of toast

and eat it in your room.

-Hm? -Yes, Papa.

There's a good boy.

"Bunnies can and will go to France.

Yours affectionately, Jeremy. PS. I miss you."

So, you're Bunnies, are you, Norman?

It was my nickname.

-Um, I liked it. -(EDNA CHUCKLES)

Technically, he was "Bunny", singular.

Then why did you say "Bunnies"?

Were there two of you? Are you a "Bunny"?

Am I married to a bunny?

No, I was using a generic noun

in an imperative clause.

Well, thank God it's grammatically correct,

because the whole country's reading this - Bunnies.

(TV NEWS THEME)

I saw David Steel, handed him my letter.

I have resigned as Leader of the Liberal Party.

One word.

One bloody word brought me down.

No, it wasn't Bunnies. It's because you lied.

You told the party you hardly knew Norman Scott,

then the Bunnies letter caught you out.

From that moment on, your position was untenable.

Now... Rupert's with Alison and James.

I packed that little case of his.

They said he could stay the night,

so that you and I can talk about everything.

I've made cod in parsley sauce.

Before I met you...

um... before I met Caroline...

...I had moments, erm...

Certain nights... unfortunate nights...

involving alcohol, ah...

and um...

with no women in the vicinity, I...

...I would dabble... to relieve myself.

And that... that's all.

So, this thing with Norman Scott...

-...it wasn't a relationship? -(HE SCOFFS) How could it be?

Jeremy, I'm not a fool.

I practically grew up with Benjamin Britten.

I've seen something of the world.

I fled from Hitler, for God's sake.

My own son married a hippie in a yurt.

And I've toured with orchestras.

I couldn't begin to tell you the things I've seen,

so there's no need to protect me.

I made mistakes and I've stopped.

And I swear I had nothing to do with that gun and the dog.

-Of course you didn't. I'm not even asking. -Nothing to do with me.

I won't dignify it with discussion

-and there's an end to it. -Thank you.

For what it's worth...

I think people have focused on the word "Bunnies".

But the last thing you wrote in that letter

was, "I miss you."

I think that's a wonderful thing

for a man to say to his friend.

Are you all right?

Very... (CHUCKLES) Very nice dinner.

Very nice.

Thank you.

I think this is a new start, isn't it?

I'm still a Member of Parliament.

There's work to be done.

The party could do with a change in leadership

and all that new blood coming in.

Clement Freud, Cyril Smith. Exciting times.

And what about Norman Scott?

-Are we finished with him? -Absolutely, absolutely.

Damn him, but there's nothing more he can do.

Mr Newton? Stuart Kuttner, Evening News.

-We meet at last. -The longest 12 months

of my life.

I'm warning you, I want 75 grand

for my side of the story.

-I'm bloody Watergate, I am. -I can give you 3,000, tops.

-Deal? -Deal.

(THEY SHOUT OUT QUESTIONS)

REPORTER: Mr Thorpe, did you want Norman Scott dead?

(SHOUTING CONTINUES)

Andrew Newton can name the men who paid him,

but he's never met you in his life.

The police don't have any actual proof.

None whatsoever. Who can they summon as a witness?

No-one.

Jeremy Thorpe, the dirty sod!

We should take this to the papers.

Mr Peter Bessell? Who's he, then?

(WAVES CRASHING)

I need to ask you, Mr Bessell,

would you cooperate in bringing a case

against Jeremy Thorpe?

Specifically, would you appear in court as a witness?

You mean as a... a prosecution witness?

Yes.

You'll be fully aware that Jeremy Thorpe is...

my best friend?

(HE COUGHS) I'm sorry, I...

I've been unwell.

Of course, sir.

And... I respect your position.

But we have a letter here...

concerning the relationship

between Mr Scott and Mr Thorpe.

You mean the Bunnies one? It's nothing, Bunnies.

You people don't realise.

Public schools are run on nicknames.

Everyone I know is a Bunny, or a Beano or a Biffer.

I don't mean "Bunnies".

I mean this.

A letter from Norman Scott to Jeremy Thorpe's mother.

17 pages. Describing his explicit relationship

with her son.

And these.

Letters from Scott to you, Mr Bessell,

detailing money paid by you to him as a retainer.

Regular payments over many years.

-Where did you find them? -Exactly where you left them.

From your office, they went to the Sunday Mirror,

and from them to us.

I get a trip to California as a result, so thank you for that.

Peter, your name is all over this.

You need to ask for immunity. You need a lawyer

and you need immunity right now.

We've agreed to consider immunity... if you speak up.

This is exactly what your wife said.

She said that Thorpe would fall one day

and he would take you with him.

I'm asking you to put aside that old pals act,

for something more important.

The truth.

-Good afternoon. -This way, sir.

Won't take long. Home for supper.

Once they've officially questioned you

about this Newton chap, the press might finally shut up.

-Hello. -Good afternoon, Mr Thorpe, Sir David.

My name's Detective Chief Superintendent Challes.

I'm sure you'll appreciate

that my client is a very busy man.

John Jeremy Thorpe, I'm arresting you

for conspiracy to murder Norman Scott

on Friday, 24th October, 1975,

with a further charge of incitement to murder.

I must caution you that you're not obliged

to say anything unless you wish to do so,

but what you do say may be given in evidence.

I'm so sorry.

If you could just wait here for the others.

Mr Thorpe, very nice to meet you, sir.

Very great honour,

albeit it in these difficult circumstances.

Fucking mess this is.

My name's John Le Mesurier.

Not the actor, obviously.

I've always voted Liberal, sir.

(LAUGHS) Waste of a vote!

There's no need to be rude.

My solicitor is from Swansea.

I bet he's had his flown in from Geneva.

-You watch him stitch us up. -All right. Leave it.

And you can shut it, David. Have we never met?

Oh, sorry. I don't know you, do I?

You bum hole!

Ready for you.

WOMAN: How do you plead, Mr Thorpe?

I will vigorously defend these charges

and plead not guilty.

Gentlemen, you will be remanded

until the 12th of September,

on bail of £5,000 each.

Who were those awful men?

-Who were they? -I said, just drive!

-I am! -They worked in carpets!

I know. Since when did gangsters work in...

For God's sake, just get us out!

And they were Welsh! Why were they Welsh?

-Sorry. New car. -(TYRES SQUEAL)

Question is, who's going to represent you in court?

Papers are trying you on a daily basis.

You need someone remarkable.

If I might suggest, George Carman.

We were at Oxford.

-Is he good? -Well, it depends.

He's a drinker and a gambler

and his second wife left him for George Best.

Oh, he's good.

I saw him defend the manager

of that Big Dipper at Battersea.

The one that killed five children.

Got him off scot-free. Blamed the nuts and bolts.

It was one of the finest things I've ever seen.

-Not for the parents. -Oh, quite.

He was merciless.

-That's what we need. -And it depends if he's free.

Well, he'd want this, wouldn't he?

Surely no case could be bigger.

No, I mean it depends if he's free.

(RATTLING)

They're letting you go, George.

God knows how you get away with it.

I have friends in high places.

Even better friends in low places.

-Goodbye, Dickie! -Bye!

And try to stay out of trouble.

Let's not pretend. I'll see you next week.

Get me another blanket. That one is so coarse.

(HE GRUNTS)

-(DOOR OPENS) -Thank you, my dear.

(CHUCKLES) Hello.

Good God, I'm sorry I'm late.

I swear, I promised I'd be on time. I do apologise.

Hello. There was this thing. I was just...

Well, never mind. Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Not at all, George. It's a very good trick.

Hold on. Your girl made me a coffee.

She's very good, very sharp. What's her name?

-Jennifer. -I don't know where

to put this without leaving a ring.

Although, it doesn't really matter, does it?

Anyway, a very great honour to see you again, Jeremy.

Sir David. This is a mess, isn't it?

What a great big stinking mess

you've got yourself into.

-What trick? -The person who's late

is immediately in charge of the room.

I want to say congratulations.

-What for? -These are the greatest

charges ever levelled against a Member of Parliament.

And considering the House of Commons has had

270 years of bastards, liars, perverts, thieves,

blackmailers, inbreds and arsonists,

that really is quite an achievement.

To business. Now, I think the best way

to undermine the prosecution is to attack them

on conspiracy to murder.

(PAPERS RUSTLE AND THUD)

It's a fair point.

When the defendant defends himself, it's a disaster.

You left Oxford with a third.

-I left Oxford with a first. -Granted.

-Thank you. -Then I have a task.

For both of you.

The trial starts on April 30th,

but Callaghan has announced the General Election

for May 3rd. So I need the trial delayed.

You're standing for election?

-Of course I am. -Is that wise?

Speller, Antony,

Conservative Party,

-31,811 votes. -(CHEERING)

Thorpe, John Jeremy,

Liberal Party,

23,338 votes.

Waugh, Auberon,

Dog Lover's Party...

-(MAN BARKS) -...79 votes.

I declare Antony Speller elected.

(CHEERING)

(VACUUM CLEANER WHIRRING)

(HE PATS HER ARMS)

Don't worry. We're old friends from way back.

We'll get him to the Old Bailey

-safe and sound. -Bye, love.

Bye, Edna. Thank you.

Love your pub, by the way. It's adorable.

London calling!

(MURMURING)

Why does he have cushions?

Please take your place.

He has cushions and we don't.

(WHISPERS) We'll be fine. It's all gonna be fine.

I was talking to my brief.

He said that this could be over in three days.

Five days tops.

In fact, he thinks there's a chance

that we could sue for defamation of character.

Red tops, all of them.

We could actually end up quids in.

Apparently, there's a witness who claims that Norman Scott

said he was a ballet dancer.

He only stopped dancing when a piano fell on his toe.

Like he's a sugar-plum fairy.

Says he's the last of the aristocracy.

-(WHEEZES) -Holmes.

Man is a born liar.

My client asks that you do not address him

in any way, shape or form - ever.

All rise.

Milord, I'd like to ask the court on behalf of my client,

Mr George Deakin, to lift all reporting restrictions.

-There's no mention. -Milord, I must object.

Mr Deakin wants it known that he welcomes

-the fullest scrutiny. -I must point out

we asked for a Section 7.

This trial will contain false allegations

of an intimate and sexual nature.

Nonetheless, my hands are tied.

If these proceedings are reported in the press,

and on television, it will humiliate my client

and damage his reputation for life.

You know how the law stands, Mr Carman.

If one party applies to have restrictions lifted,

then they must be adopted by all.

-(MURMURING) -(WHISPERS) Outrageous.

Well played, Mr Deakin.

My Lord.

Cushions.

Oh, my God! They've lifted restrictions.

Everything they're saying in the court, it's all here.

Oh, my God!

It's public.

At last.

(NEWS THEME PLAYING)

Good evening. There could be serious disruption

in the power stations next month.

The engineers there are to hold a strike ballot.

Fascinating scenes today here at the Old Bailey

on the first day in which Jeremy Thorpe

has been put on trial for conspiracy to murder.

The prosecution outlined how Thorpe and Mr Scott

first met, in 1961,

and began a homosexual relationship.

That's me. On the telly!

Mr Scott.

..on the property of a Mr Norman...

Van de Vater, where Thorpe gave Scott

his telephone number

and a general invitation to visit him in London.

Some 12 months later, Scott went to London--

-Mrs F, we've got customers. -Ssh-ssh-ssh.

I'm not missing this.

Mr Thorpe took Mr Scott

and his Jack Russell terrier called Mrs Tish,

to the house of Thorpe's mother,

Mrs Ursula Thorpe, at Oxted, Surrey.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

The court heard that "Bunnies"

was a reference to their first night together,

when Thorpe said that Scott looked like

a frightened rabbit.

This night, at Thorpe's mother's,

was the start of a homosexual affair.

-This is filthy. -(TV news report continues)

I can't believe they can say this on the BBC.

It is alleged that Thorpe gave Scott money

with which he rented a room at Draycott Place in Chelsea,

where Thorpe was a frequent visitor.

The court heard that Scott ordered

a pair of silk pyjamas from Gieves of Bond Street,

charging them to Thorpe's account.

Milord,

prosecution calls Mr Peter Bessell.

(MURMURING)

Take the Bible in your right hand.

Repeat after me.

Astonishing scenes in court today

as former MP Peter Bessell gave a devastating testimony.

He said he witnessed Mr Thorpe

demanding Norman Scott's death on multiple occasions.

By shooting Mr Scott, or breaking his neck,

or burying his body in cement.

Peter Bessell. Good friend of yours.

How do you want me to handle it?

He is a Judas.

Mr Bessell...

...might I ask what prompted you to testify here today?

A sense of justice, perhaps?

That was a factor, yes.

Then, if your sense of justice is so paramount,

can I ask, when the Leader of the Liberal Party told you -

as you claim - that he wanted a man murdered,

who did you tell?

Did you tell anyone in the Party?

-No. -Did you tell the police?

-No. -Did you tell Mrs Thorpe?

No.

So you told no-one that the Leader of the Liberals

must be insane?

-Uh, no. No, I did not. -Then you lied.

I didn't exactly lie.

Yes or no? Did you lie about what you knew to everyone?

(SIGHS) Well, by omission, yes.

Then you're a liar.

I... suppose I have lied, to many people,

on many occasions.

Gosh, I...

I have something of a credibility problem, yes.

Then why should the jury believe a word you say?

Cos I'm not lying now.

Except, having been granted immunity,

you could say whatever you like.

-Did you serve in the war? -What? Um...

Uh... No.

I... I did not. I was a conscientious objector.

So you only objected to acts of violence in war-time,

-when it saved your neck? -That's not fair.

-I did my bit. -In what way?

I gave lectures to the armed forces in classical music.

(LAUGHTER)

Well, no wonder we won, Mr Bessell.

(LAUGHTER)

-Are you a drug addict? -What?

-Are you a drug addict? -No.

-Milord, I must ask-- -No.

I imagine this might be important.

Milord, this constitutes an attack

on the witness's character.

Let's discover that for ourselves.

Mr Carman, you may continue.

Oh, what sort of drugs did you mean?

Do you mean prescription drugs?

I mean a drug called Mandrax.

Right, yes, I'm sorry.

It's a sleeping tablet on prescription.

I suppose I developed something of an addiction.

Mandrax is commonly known to the police

as "disco biscuits".

-Is that right? -I don't know.

Disco biscuits?

A discotheque, Milord, is a dance hall,

and "biscuits" is a euphemism for hard drugs.

I... I was taken ill. It wasn't the...

I was diagnosed with emphysema.

I really am very sorry to hear that.

Thank you.

-It's fatal, isn't it? -(MURMURING)

Yes.

Which is why I wanted to confess now, at the end.

-It's very kind of you. -Milord.

I'm grateful for my colleague's sympathy--

I'm just wondering, now that you live in California,

outside the National Health Service,

was that your reason for signing this?

I'm... sorry?

It's your contract with the Sunday Telegraph.

Do you recognise it? I withdraw that question.

Of course you recognise it. You've signed it.

It confirms that when this trial is over,

they will publish your side of the story

for the amount of £25,000.

-Is that correct? -Yes.

-(MURMURING) -£25,000.

-Yes? -Yes.

Unless... Unless...

Mr Thorpe is found guilty.

In which case, they will double the amount

and pay you £50,000. Is that correct?

-Yes. -So if you can stand

in this court and make my client appear guilty,

then in the popular language of Mr Hughie Green,

you win double the money.

Is that correct, sir?

-Yes. -No more questions.

Oh, my God, Norman.

They're tearing people apart in that courtroom.

Just think what they're gonna say about you.

Colony Room, Muriel... Francis bloody Bacon!

What the hell are you going to do?

Shall we go out and get drunk?

♪ Cos your love ♪

♪ It's better ♪

♪ Than any love I know ♪

♪ It's like thunder ♪

♪ Lightning ♪

♪ The way you love me is frightening

♪ You better knock... ♪

Oh, my head.

-Here he is. -Mr Scott!

-(REPORTERS CALL OUT) -No, I can't, really.

-I can't possibly. -They're calling you a liar!

They're saying you lied about the whole thing.

Where's Stella?

(SHOUTING)

(SILENCE)

Brave heart, darling.

These men... they went to Eton and Harrow and Oxford.

I went to a secondary modern in Bexleyheath.

They're going to destroy me.

-Mr Scott. -Ooh.

Follow me.

(WHISPERING)

CLERK: Take the Bible in your right hand.

So, having arrived in the bedroom,

I'd be grateful if you could take us

through the exact order of events.

What happened next?

Mr Thorpe...

got into bed with me...

and he had a jar...

...of something... it's not nice to talk about.

But could you identify it for the court?

-Vaseline. -(LAUGHTER)

What was the purpose of this Vaseline?

It was to lubricate... him.

(WHISPERING)

So he put the... substance...

on his penis,

turned me over and...

made love to me.

And what was your reaction?

I thought I was being sawn in half.

(LAUGHTER)

So, what did you do?

The only thing I could do. I bit the pillow.

(LAUGHTER)

JUDGE: Silence in court!

-I must insist! -(LAUGHTER DIES DOWN)

-Mr Scott, good morning. -Good morning.

Can I ask? Are you taking any medication at the moment?

-Why? -Just answer the question.

Are you taking any medication?

-No. -But you have been in the past.

Yes. I had a number of...

emotional... difficulties.

-But they're all behind me now. -Does this explain

why you've previously claimed that your parents

died in a plane crash in the Amazon?

-Did they? -No.

You also said that you were the son

of the fourth Earl of Eldon. Are you?

-No, I'm not. -Then why did you say it?

Was it some form of delusion?

-No. -Then what made you say it?

Mr Scott?

Well... let's be honest, it was just a lie.

-Wasn't it? -(LAUGHTER)

Don't you think a lie is a very wicked thing?

Oh, I've done lots of wicked things.

Does that include today?

No, because... I've stopped doing wicked things

ever since that wretched man Thorpe

tried to kill me.

If he's done one good thing in this world,

he has brought me to my senses.

Mr Scott.

I want to ask about what I suspect

are a number of discrepancies in your statements

concerning your night at Ursula Thorpe's house.

To the police in December 1962,

you said, "I am almost certain

that his penis did not go into my anus."

But now you're claiming that penetration did take place

to the extent that you bit the pillow.

(LAUGHTER)

Well, that's easy. I didn't mention it in 1962

because buggery was illegal then.

I would have been arrested - and so would he.

Jeremy Thorpe lives on a knife-edge of danger.

Isn't this more a case of,

hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?

Well, it would be, yes, except for one vital fact.

-I am not a woman. -(LAUGHTER)

Oh, he's good, Jez. Watch out.

You could have warned me that Norman Scott

is so fucking clever!

Moving on, I'd like to ask you

about the time you went to the House of Commons

with your then partner Mrs Parry-Jones.

A relationship which sadly ended

in the poor lady's suicide.

Did you not go there hell-bent on destroying Mr Thorpe?

Absolutely not. All I wanted...

...was my National Insurance card.

You went all the way to David Steel

for a National Insurance card?

National Insurance is my life blood.

(MURMURING)

Then, tell me, if you're so cruelly deprived

of your National Insurance card,

what's your source of income?

Well, at the moment, it's this.

I'm... getting money off TV stations for interviews.

Then that makes you yet another profiteer

with a vested interest in making money

from savaging my client's reputation, does it not?

If they want to pay me, that's fine.

-That's not the point. -Thank you, Mr Scott.

-We've proved your motive-- -You need to know why!

Milord, I think the witness

might be permitted to explain.

If we must.

If they're paying me, it's because I can say the truth.

I don't care about the money.

But I do care how men like me are shoved into corners

and masturbated in the dark,

and then thrown out the door like we're dirt!

Like we're nothing, like we don't exist.

And all the history books get written

with men like me missing.

So, yes, I will talk, I will be heard

and I will be seen, Your Honour.

You can pay me or not pay me, I don't care.

But the one thing you will not do is shut me up!

Thank you. You may continue.

(SOBBING)

There. That's it.

Norman!

-Ohh! You little swine! -Come on.

Norman, you were amazing.

I was rude, I was vile, I was queer, I was myself.

(LAUGHTER)

(SHOUTED QUESTIONS)

-Mr Scott! -Norman!

-How did it go, Norman? -Yeah.

It went very, very well indeed.

We can only hope justice will be done. Thank you.

♪ Lightning ♪

♪ The way you love me is frightening ♪

♪ You better knock, knock, knock... ♪

(GENTLE RATTLING)

Thank you. Thank you so much. Very kind.

Thank you, Mr McCracken.

-Do you want some? -No, thanks.

It's from Clement Freud.

I might get a sandwich later.

Once I finish my deliberations.

Concerning... what?

This is the story of a liar meeting a fantasist.

But I'm not sure which one's which.

Galloway beef, from the uplands of Dumfries.

My problem is this:

It's your turn to take the stand.

I have to conduct your defence.

And yet I can't help wondering,

will you be as convincing as Norman Scott?

(HE CHUCKLES)

Good God.

Yes, I think that people will take my word rather than his.

-Yes. -But the jury

have just seen him in all his glory.

An open homosexual.

The new world blazing.

In contrast, you might seem a little... old.

And if they prefer him...

you could go to jail.

So, what do you suggest?

That you don't take the stand.

But that would be worse.

-I wonder. -I'd look guilty.

And I'd look like a coward.

That might be a risk worth taking.

Are we running... in fear, from Norman Scott?

Are we? Well, thank God it's not your decision. It's mine.

My case, my courtroom. I decide.

I could have you sacked, George.

Oh.

Consider the balance of the scales of justice above us.

If you don't take the stand, you could look like a liar.

If you do take the stand...

...you could look like a liar.

So, which is it to be?

-Mr Taylor. -Thank you, Milord.

No further witnesses.

That rests the case for the prosecution.

Thank you.

Mr Carman?

(WHISPERING)

Milord, on behalf of Jeremy Thorpe,

I call no witnesses.

(MUTTERING IN COURT)

Silence!

-(MUTTERING CONTINUES) -Silence!

I must insist!

The court will resume at ten o'clock tomorrow morning

-for the closing addresses. -All rise.

The surprise announcement means that Mr Thorpe

won't take the stand and will not be questioned

on his role in this remarkable affair.

He will remain silent.

-What a coward! -Is he allowed to do that?

Ah, it's the establishment, same as ever.

This whole thing has been a stitch-up

right from the start.

This is a very serious charge...

and a rather bizarre and surprising case.

The accused

are men of hitherto unblemished reputation.

Mr Thorpe is a Privy Counsellor,

a former leader of the Liberal Party

and a national figure

with a very distinguished public record.

As we consider Mr Bessell's evidence,

he's plainly a very intelligent man.

But, having sold his story

in the deplorable contract with The Sunday Telegraph,

he told us that he was a Christian -

at the same time being sexually promiscuous.

Therefore, he is a humbug.

I now turn to the evidence of Mr Scott.

You will remember him well -

a hysterical, warped personality,

an accomplished sponger...

very skilful at exciting and exploiting sympathy.

A spineless, neurotic character

addicted to self-advertisement.

He is a crook. He is a fraud.

He is a sponger. He is a whiner.

He is a parasite.

Of course, I'm not suggesting

that you should not believe him.

That is not for me. I'm not expressing any opinion.

You have seen this wretched Scott in the witness box.

You have seen his vindictive attitude.

I leave it for you to decide.

As for Mr Thorpe...

we may not assume that affection means buggery.

And you must ask yourself if you are sure

that Mr Thorpe genuinely

tried to persuade others to murder Mr Scott.

And if there is any reasonable doubt,

you will acquit.

You may go now. Take your time.

We shall wait for you.

That was good.

-Old fool. -He's on our side.

These things should be won by me, not the judge.

-We'll see you tomorrow. -I'll be fine.

I've sent word ahead that you've a stomach upset.

They'll put you in the hospital wing.

This way.

That's the law, I'm afraid. The jury retires

and bail is withdrawn until the verdict is reached.

Now lie on the floor, all of you.

-What for? -So they can't take photos.

Don't argue. Get down. Quick as you can.

Come on! Down on the floor!

I never gave them your name.

All this time, I've said nothing.

(SHOUTING FROM OUTSIDE)

(DOOR SLAMS SHUT)

(BED CREAKS SOFTLY)

(PULSING ALARM BLARES)

(ALARM STOPS)

RADIO: A second day has gone by since the jury retired

and they still haven't come to a decision.

The judge, in his summing up, told them

that he expected them to reach a unanimous verdict.

Earlier, because of the intense interest in the case,

police...

Nothing yet.

They will be wondering

why this man wanted that man dead.

Or whether he just said he wanted him dead so often

one day someone listened.

But I still keep wondering something else.

Why Norman?

I have a particular interest.

Between you and me...

I've been there...

with men.

Before I was married, while I was married,

next week...

So I know what it's like.

The stink of them. The sweat.

And the joy.

So I wonder...

why a man with your power and privilege

should choose him.

Except I did not have a relationship...

with Norman Scott.

(LAUGHS) Jeremy,

I kept you off the witness stand to save your life.

The prosecution had evidence.

They had men from the pubs, men from the streets,

men who know you.

-All of them liars. -And I know those men.

I know they last for one night.

But with Norman Scott, it went on for years.

It was different. You wrote to him.

You helped him.

You loved him.

Why that man?

Well, I would imagine...

I can only speculate,

but um...

If you do know those men, George,

then you know those nights...

(CHATTER AND LAUGHTER)

(BIG BEN CHIMING)

And you know how those nights can end.

Don't touch me! Dirty queer!

Don't fucking touch me!

Oh, no! Argh! Take it. Take it! Just take it.

(JEREMY MOANS SOFTLY)

You like that?

(GROANING)

Given those men...

...maybe...

I suppose one could imagine...

...that Norman Scott was the best.

-(DOOR OPENS) -They're coming back.

RADIO: And finally Mr Thorpe himself,

with his face set in the mask of inexpression

he has maintained throughout the trial.

Will the defendants rise?

On the charge of conspiracy to murder,

do you find the defendant David Holmes

guilty or not guilty?

-Not guilty. -(MUTTERING)

On the charge of conspiracy to murder,

do you find the defendant George Deakin

guilty or not guilty?

-Not guilty. -(MURMURING)

On the charge of conspiracy to murder,

do you find the defendant John le Mesurier

guilty or not guilty?

Not guilty.

On the charge of conspiracy to murder,

do you find the defendant Jeremy Thorpe

guilty or not guilty?

-Not guilty. -(MUTTERING)

MAN: No. No.

And on the second charge, of incitement to murder,

do you find the defendant Jeremy Thorpe

guilty or not guilty?

-Not guilty. -(MURMURING)

(MUTTERING AND SHOUTING)

Justice? It's not justice!

Darling, we did it!

-Bravo! -We did it!

Bravo!

-Bravo! -We did it!

Outrageous!

-Bravo! -It's outrageous!

-(CHEERING AND SHOUTING) EDNA: This is not justice!

Stand still!

EDNA: You're all guilty as charged!

RADIO: News just in from the Old Bailey.

Jeremy Thorpe, the former Leader of the Liberal Party,

has been found not guilty of conspiracy to murder

and not guilty of incitement to murder.

Mr Thorpe's three co-defendants

were also found not guilty of conspiracy to murder.

We have a full report to follow on the hour,

with the traffic and weather.

(MUSICAL JINGLE) ♪ BBC Radio! ♪

♪ This is Radio 2 ♪

(MUSIC ON RADIO)

(HE CHUCKLES)

Congratulations, Mr Thorpe.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

We did it, then.

We did it. Well done. W...

Aha!

(CHEERING)

Thank you very much! Thank you very much!

Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen, very much.

Thank you!

Wonderful! Thank you!

Thank you! Taxi.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

(JEERING)

-You're a liar! -Thank you very much!

-Thank you. -Liar!

(JEERING)

(SHOUTING)

Can I have some more baklava, please?

Yeah, sure.

♪ Since we met on our first date ♪

♪ I haven't stopped loving you yet ♪

-All finished for the day? -I think so. Yeah.

-(COINS RATTLE) -Thank you.

(BELL DINGS TWICE)

-(CHEERING) JEREMY: Thank you!

-Thank you! Thank you! -Give her a kiss! Kiss!

-Give her a kiss! -Oh, I will.

Come.

(CHEERING)

Yes? Here, boy. Rupert, come on.

(BUS BRAKES SQUEAK)

Thank you very, very much!

How are you?

Any further comments, Mr Thorpe?

I know you. I know you.

Of course you're ruined. You know that, don't you?

Ha.

Very kind.

(BELL DINGS TWICE)

(APPLAUSE)

(APPLAUSE CONTINUES)

Thank you.

I'm going.

Arhh!

PETER COOK AS JUDGE: Mr Norma St John Scott,

a self-confessed player of the pink oboe...

(LAUGHTER)

You are now to retire...

carefully to consider your verdict... of not guilty.

(LAUGHTER)