A Very English Scandal (2018) s01e03 Episode Script

1 Norman.
Are you my little Bunny? Of course, we still have that unfinished business, the Scottish matter.
Leave Norman Scott alone.
It was a relatively modest affair.
There is a man coming from Canada to kill you.
Canada? - [GUNSHOTS.]
- He tried to shoot me! - Who did? - Jeremy Thorpe! Jeremy Thorpe did this! It was Jeremy Thorpe! [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.
- [HE CRIES OUT IN PAIN.]
Jeremy Thorpe is a Member of Parliament - Aah! - And a highly respected man.
He is NOT to be abused by a lying little queer! [NORMAN GASPS AND WHIMPERS.]
My name is Mrs Edna Friendship.
I'm here about Norman Scott.
I'm afraid we're not allowing any Mr Scott's would-be assassin is in his early 30s, with brown hair and a moustache.
On Sunday the 12th of 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.
Huh.
Now, you can stay on the front desk all your life, sonny, or you can pass on this information and get yourself promoted.
[DOG BARKS.]
Come on! [APPROACHING SIREN.]
Get in.
Mr Andrew Newton? Maybe I am.
- Uh, uh! - [HE LAUGHS.]
- 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 - when you went looking - Sh, sh, sh! 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'll go to prison, maybe 12 months but that's bearable.
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.
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.
- Yes, obviously.
He was married to Hattie Jacques for a while.
David.
He can handle the transaction.
John Le Mesurier, not the actor.
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! - Don't - No, no, don't tell me, don't tell me.
I don't know any of this.
I mean, 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.
But he doesn't know any of this is connected to you.
Except 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.
[HORN HONKS.]
[APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS.]
[PHONE RINGS.]
[CLAMOUR OF VOICES.]
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
What's your relationship with Mr Scott? Hello, John.
Morning, Adrian.
Did you have a sexual relationship - Mr Thorpe - I'm afraid I have a very busy day, - so good day to you all.
- Will you stand down, Mr Thorpe? 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 that he's lying, because I had evidence, years ago.
I had 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 but 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 could 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 there.
- 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, hmm? - 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.
- I liked it.
- [SHE 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! [BBC NEWS THEME ON TV.]
Well, 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've 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, I certain nights, unfortunate nights, involving alcohol and, um with no women in the vicinity, I I would dabble, to relieve myself and that's all.
So, this thing with Norman Scott, it wasn't a relationship? - Oh! 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 and Of course you didn't.
Jeremy! - Absolutely nothing to do with me.
- I'm not even asking.
I won't dignify it with discussion, and there's an end to it.
Thank you.
For what it's worth, I think people are 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? - [HE 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? Stewart Cutley, Evening News.
We meet at last.
The longest 12 months of my life.
Hey, 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.
[JOURNALISTS CLAMOUR.]
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, and 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? 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 prosecution witness? Yes.
You'll be fully aware that Jeremy Thorpe is my best friend.
[HE COUGHS.]
I'm sorry.
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.
Oh, you mean the Bunnies one? It's nothing.
Bunnies, you people don't realise, public schools are run on nicknames.
Everyone I know it is a Bunny or a Beano or a Biffo.
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, and 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.
It won't take long.
Home for supper.
Once they've officially questioned you about this Newton chap, the press might finally shut up.
Good afternoon, Mr Thorpe.
Sir David.
My name's Chief Superintendent Michael Challes.
Now, I'm sure I'm sure you'll appreciate - that my client's a very busy man.
- John Jeremy Thorpe, I'm arresting you for conspiracy to murder Norman Scott on Friday the 24th of October 1975, with the 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 in these difficult circumstances.
- Fucking mess, this is.
- My name's John Le Mesurier.
Not the actor, obviously.
I've always voted Liberal, sir.
- 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 now, leave it.
- Oh, you can shut it, David! Or have we never met? Oh, sorry, don't know you, do I? You bumhole! Ready for you.
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! - They worked in carpets?! - I am, I'm trying.
I know since when did gangsters work in carpets? - For God's sake, just get us out! - And they were Welsh! - Why were they Welsh? - Sorry, I new car.
- Drive! - [TYRES SCREECH.]
The question is, who's going to represent you in court? The papers are trying you on a daily basis.
You'll need someone remarkable.
If I might suggest, sir, 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.
- It depends if he's free.
He'd want this, wouldn't he? Surely no case could be bigger.
No, I mean, it depends it depends if HE'S free.
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, eh? Let's not pretend.
I'll see you next week.
Get me another blanket, that one is so coarse.
Thank you, my dear.
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.
Er, 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, 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.
- [THEY CHUCKLE.]
To business.
Now, I think the best way to undermine the prosecution is to tackle them on conspiracy to murder.
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 the 30th, but Callaghan has announced the general election for May the 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 AND APPLAUSE.]
Thorpe, John Jeremy, Liberal Party, - 23,338 votes.
- [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
Waugh, Auberon, Dog Lovers' Party, - 79 votes.
- [MOCK BARKING AND APPLAUSE.]
I declare Antony Speller duly elected as Member of Parliament [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
Don't worry.
We're old friends from way back.
We'll get him to the Old Bailey, safe and sound.
- Goodbye, Edna.
Thank you.
- Bye.
Love your pub, by the way.
It's adorable.
London calling.
- Why does he have cushions? - Just take your place, sir.
He has cushions and we don't.
We'll be fine.
It's all going to be fine.
I was talking to my brief, he says 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 claimed that Norman Scott said he was a ballet dancer.
He only stopped dancing when a piano fell on his toe.
- It's like he's a sugar plum fairy.
- [HE LAUGHS.]
He says he belongs to the aristocracy! - Holmes.
- The man is a born liar.
My client asks that you do not address him in any way, shape or form, ever.
All rise.
M'lud, I'd like to ask the court on the half of my client, Mr George Deakin, to lift all reporting restrictions.
What?! - There's no mention.
- M'lud, 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.
- 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! [TV NEWS JINGLE.]
Good evening.
There could be serious disruption in the power stations next month.
The engineers there are to hold a strike ballot.
TV: 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! - Thorpe and Scott first met on the property of a Mr Norman van de Vater, where Thorpe gave Scott his telephone number, with a general invitation to visit him in London.
Some 12 months later, Scott went to London - Mrs F, we've got customers.
- Shh! 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.
[PHONE 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.
Proved this was a physical relationship.
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.
M'lud.
The prosecution calls Mr Peter Bessell.
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'd 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, a good friend of yours.
How do you want me to handle it? He's 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? Er, 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? - Well, by omission, yes.
- Then you're a liar.
I suppose I have lied to many people on many occasions.
Gosh, I have something of a credibility problem, yes.
[MUTTERING.]
Then why should the jury believe a word you say? Because I'm not lying now.
Except, having been granted immunity, you could say whatever you like.
- Did you serve in the war? - What? Um, no, I did not, I was a conscientious objector.
So you only objected to acts of violence in wartime, - 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, I'm not.
M'lud, I must ask No.
I imagine this might be important.
M'lud, this constitutes an attack on the witness' character.
Let's discover that for ourselves.
Mr Carman, you may continue.
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? Discotheque, M'lud, is a dance hall, and biscuits is a euphemism for hard drugs.
I was taken ill.
It wasn't I was diagnosed with emphysema.
I really am very sorry to hear that.
- Thank you.
- It's fatal, isn't it? [GASPS AND MUTTERING.]
Yes.
Which is why I wanted to confess, now, at the end.
That's very kind of you.
M'lud, 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, it will publish your side of the story for the amount of £25,000.
Is that correct? Yes.
- £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 going to say about you.
Comedy Room.
Muriel.
Francis bloody Bacon! What the hell are you going to do? Shall we go out and get drunk? [MUSIC: Knock On Wood by Amii Stewart.]
Cos your love is better Than any love I know It's like thunder, lightning The way you love me is frightening You better knock, knock Oh, my - Norman! - Mr Scott! [REPORTERS CLAMOUR.]
No, I can't really Please, I can't.
They're calling you a liar.
Saying you made up the whole thing.
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.
- Oh.
Follow me.
Take the Bible in your right hand.
So, having arrived in the bedroom, I would 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.
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.]
Silence in court! I must insist! 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 have 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 4th 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 has 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 are 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.]
He is 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 hellbent 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 lifeblood! [LAUGHTER.]
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 motives.
No, but you have to know why.
M'lud, I think the witness might be permitted to explain? If we must.
If they are 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.
[HE WEEPS.]
Yeah, that's it.
Norman! Oh, you little swine! - Come on.
- Norman, you were amazing! I was rude, I was vile, I was queer, I was myself.
[MUSIC: Knock On Wood by Amii Stewart.]
[REPORTERS CLAMOUR.]
- How did it go, Norman? - It went very, very well indeed.
We can only hope justice will be done.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
You're 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've finished 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? 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.
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.
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, M'lud.
No further witnesses.
That rests the case for the prosecution.
Thank you.
Mr Carman.
M'lud, on behalf of Jeremy Thorpe, I call no witnesses.
[GASPS AND MUTTERING.]
Silence.
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? Ugh, 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, a man of hitherto unblemished reputation, Mr Thorpe, is a Privy Councillor, 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 a 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, an hysterical, warped personality, and an accomplished sponger.
Very skilful at exciting and exploiting sympathy.
Spineless, neurotic character, addicted to self-advertisement.
He is a crook, he is a fraud, he is 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.
This thing should be won by me, not the judge.
- We'll see you tomorrow.
- I'll be fine.
I've sent word ahead that you have 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.
[REPORTERS CLAMOUR.]
[ALARM BLARES.]
REPORTER: 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.
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 if you do know those men, George then you know those nights [BIG BEN CHIMES.]
and you know how those nights can end.
Don't you touch me, you dirty queer! Fuck, don't touch me! Agh, no! Take it, take it.
Take it! Just take it! Do you like that? [HE CRIES OUT IN PAIN.]
Given those men maybe, I suppose, one could imagine that Norman Scott was the best.
[DOOR OPENS.]
They're coming back.
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.
On the charge of conspiracy to murder, do you find the defendant, George Deakin, guilty or not guilty? Not guilty.
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.
[GASPS AND MUTTERING.]
No.
No! And on the second charge of incitement to murder, do you find the defendant, Jeremy Thorpe, guilty or not guilty? Not guilty.
[CLAMOUR THROUGHOUT COURT.]
This is not justice! - Darling, we did it! - Bravo! - We did it! - Bravo! - We did it! - Bravo! Outrageous! It's outrageous! - This is not justice! - Stand still! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
- Bravo! - Guilty as charged! 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.
[BBC RADIO NEWS JINGLE.]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYS.]
[HE CHUCKLES.]
- Congratulations, Mr Thorpe.
- Thank you.
Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- We did it, then.
We did it.
Well done.
Aha! [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS.]
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
Hello! Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you, gentlemen, very much.
Thank you! One and all, thank you! Thank you! Taxi.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Can I have some more baklava, please? Yes, sure.
[UPBEAT POP MUSIC ON RADIO.]
- All finished for the day? - I think so, yeah.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
[BELL RINGS.]
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
Thank you! - Thank you! - Give her a kiss! Kiss! Give her a kiss! All right.
[CHEERING INTENSIFIES.]
Yes? Here, boy, Gordon.
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? Huh.
Very kind.
[BELL RINGS.]
Thank you.
I must go in.
Who-o-oa! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
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.]