Between the Lines (1992) s02e01 Episode Script
New Order
Come on! - Paki! - Come on! Police.
All right, chump, nothing to worry about.
Just routine.
# I want to know # If you'll be my girl # - He's not one of these? Surely to God.
- No.
Old time.
we don't want to show out, guv.
The things you have to witness in this job.
You're nicked.
For Christ's sake, Steve! Leg it, you twat! Tell me, Inspector Naylor, is it true that you sewed all the sequins on your wife's dress? I'm really sorry I ever mentioned this.
- Not a word to Harry, guv.
- No.
- No, never.
You promised.
- All right.
The poor sod must be desperate if this is how he fills his evenings.
what does that say about us, then? - was that deliberate or a mistake? - It got past the judges.
Sign of a good copper.
Sorry.
Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome our winner, couple number nine! It's a fit-up.
In view of Deakin's court case, I just think the sooner the better.
Yes, I'm sure the commander will want to meet you as soon as possible.
But he's out for most of today with the DAC and the commissioner.
well, make it clear that I'm keen to help him get settled in his new post.
Anything he wants, I'm the man, all right? Morning, sir.
Sorry about that, Harry.
Just, er making sure I get my knees under the table with the new boss.
Yeah, naturally, guv.
Oh, yeah.
Sorry.
I forgot.
It's about that mosque business, guv.
Come in.
Good morning, Gravesy.
Take a seat.
- Tony.
Harry.
- Morning, guv.
Right, we got a PC Tulloch at Bulk Road accused of neglect of duty.
Supposed to have failed to make an arrest.
Bit sensitive.
Racial incident at a mosque.
Plenty of room for grief.
He knows all the fancy footwork.
Right.
How are you generally, Gravesy? Any problems, my door is always open.
Thanks, Tony.
I'll bear that in mind.
Acting Chief Superintendent Clark.
It was a bit foolish, Mr Khan, confronting these vandals yourselves.
I've called the police before when there's been trouble.
A dozen times in the last three months.
They don't seem to come very quickly.
Still, they arrived promptly on this occasion, which is what concerns us.
And they promptly arrested the self-defence group.
well, that's not the matter we're investigating.
PC 537 Stephen Tulloch.
Yeah, he caught one of the men, got hold of him.
- was there a struggle? - A bit.
Just for a moment.
And then the man relaxed.
The policeman still had hold of him.
was anything said? They spoke.
I couldn't hear what they said.
Then the policeman just let the man go.
He ran off.
- He didn't escape, no struggle? - No.
we're talking about half eleven at night.
Are you sure you could see clearly? Yes.
And when the policeman came over to me, I made sure I took his number.
Five-three-seven.
I can't add anything to what I put in my IRB.
we responded to the shout in Bravo Oscar One.
I attempted to arrest an IC1 suspect but he resisted and decamped.
I noticed the caretaker, Mr Khan, at that point, and decided to check whether he was all right.
- Rather than pursue the suspect? - Yes, sir.
- who'd resisted arrest successfully? - Yes, sir.
Are you telling us you had a body but failed to pursue him when he got away? I made a police decision on the spur of the moment.
we can all do better with hindsight.
Interview suspended at 10:31.
For a cup of tea.
- Three teas in here, please.
- You were called to the mosque before.
It's a regular thing.
Reports of vandalism, spraying slogans, all that.
Bit of a hopeless shout, really, unless you catch them in the act.
You must get fed up with it.
well, these people expect you to be at their beck and call.
A lot of the time it's totally trivial, not much more than kids winding them up.
This kind of thing was sorted with a clip around the ear when I was a nipper.
Yeah.
Case for exercise your discretion, you'd say.
- Right.
- Hm.
what do you mean by "these people", Steve? The public, generally.
So, er "these people" call you out for totally trivial incidents, wind-ups which you think can be settled outside the criminal justice system.
No, that's putting words in my mouth.
I'm just trying to understand, Steve.
It's looking to me as if you decided to use a bit of discretion, let the suspect go because "winding these people up" is a trivial offence.
No.
No, that's all wrong, sir.
You're not having me on that.
That's not That's not why I let him go.
Tea can wait.
I recognised him.
I know the bloke.
- He's a friend of yours? - Interview recommenced 10:32.
- we were cadets together at Hendon.
- Present Superintendent Graves His name is Joe Rance.
I mean he's in the bloody job.
Bit of a can of worms, guv, if it's kosher.
I don't think worms can be kosher, strictly speaking, but I take your point.
Still, it's all a bit sensitive for the poor bloody infantry like us.
I want the acting chief superintendent's fingerprints on this one.
Bit perky today, aren't we, guv? I've had a bit of good news.
Possible promotion.
I'm being selected for the assessment centre.
Oh.
Oh, well.
Very best of luck.
why are we getting money off towel heads, chief? One wog's as bad as another.
Joe, that sort of thinking's very well for the street fighters.
But we're raising your consciousness.
You're marked down for leadership.
A political movement has to make strategic and tactical alliances against the most dangerous enemy.
Yeah, but what's it all about? The embassy makes the occasional grant under conditions of discretion like today towards our propaganda effort.
what do they know about repatriating niggers? Not that propaganda.
Anti-Zionism, Joe.
That's what the embassy supports us for.
That's what you've got to get your head around.
Blacks and Asians, they're just the symptoms.
Spots and scabs.
The virus is the enemy within.
The chosen people, comrade.
The eternal Jew.
Mr Carter, could you give us your views on the Ingram affair? That's a matter for the Home Secretary.
I'm just a loyal backbencher.
Do you agree that an alleged American fascist should be let into the country? well, we let Marxists have their say, don't we? Nazi! And they don't look British under a strong light.
So I don't suppose an American will do much harm, do you? - Now, you'll have to excuse me.
- Nazi! Patrick Ingram's views on politics, particularly race and nationality as expressed in his latest book, are close to your own, aren't they, Mr Carter? Patrick Ingram is a respected American historian whose research leads him to controversial conclusions about events in the 1940s.
But to be specific, Ingram has denied that the Holocaust ever took place.
I disapprove of what he says I suppose they're bound to consider Gravesy for promotion, guv.
Graduate copper, Bramshill flyer, flit from job to job like the proverbial butterfly.
what about me? I'm doing the job of a chief superintendent.
Ooph! Hard shit, guv.
The thing is, your promotion's a bit iffy until Deakin's weighed off.
Bit of a cloud hanging over your head.
I had the balls to send my own guv'nor up the steps.
That ought to be a feather in my cap.
Yeah, well, it's unfinished business anyway.
The defence calls the accused, John Henry Deakin.
John Henry Deakin, take the book in your right hand and read the card.
I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
- Your name is John Henry Deakin.
- It is.
You are a chief superintendent in the Metropolitan Police.
Correct.
In what branch of the police did you serve before being suspended? Complaints Investigation.
when will you get that embassy to treat you to a nice big Mercedes? I mean, it'd be more in keeping.
Yes, that'd go down very well with the west Midlands membership.
The prosecution's case rests on their interpretation of your actions on the day on which you were arrested.
Could you take us through that day, Mr Deakin? In your own words.
Certainly.
I was contacted by a known criminal and informant, who claimed to have evidence relating to the investigation of a senior police officer.
I agreed to meet the man and take charge of the material.
Did you inform your colleagues or superiors of this? I did not.
And how do you view that decision with hindsight? The most ill-advised of my career.
But you have to be aware of the atmosphere of suspicion stirred up by certain officers for reasons of their own which prevailed in CIB at that time.
Being blunt, Mr Deakin, you did not know who you could trust.
Sadly, that was indeed the case.
I'd offer you lunch but I've got people coming.
Yes, of course, Mr Carter.
Patrick Ingram was anxious that you should have a presentation copy.
He feels there's common ground between the three of us.
well, er one's mind is never closed to the free play of ideas.
But being in the public eye, circumspection is in order.
- Your driver - Don't worry about Joe.
Salt of the earth.
A political soldier of the best type.
Ingram is sure you would have a lot to talk about if you could meet face to face.
- Yes, but, er - You should listen to Ingram.
He's changing the climate.
After all, we represent three different paths to the same broad goal.
I can speak for the lads at the sharp end, on the streets, Ingram's engaged in the battle for ideas and you're in the political establishment, though not compromised by it.
In so many ways, we could support and protect each other.
who knows what might be allowed to speak its name next? I couldn't attend a public meeting.
That really isn't on.
A private meeting, then, in strictest confidence.
Testimony and videotaped evidence shows that you attempted to evade capture having received the suspect package.
when I realised I was under observation, I understood that I had been deliberately placed in a compromising position.
My reaction was one of blind panic, pure and simple.
when a member of the public got in the way, a lifetime's experience and training deserted me and I struck out.
An action which led to a charge of assault.
The one charge to which you have pleaded guilty.
The only honourable course to take.
Thank you, Mr Deakin.
- You'd appreciate my input? - Yes.
I'm taking care of PC Tulloch of course, but this Constable Joseph Rance he claims was the suspect, I'd be happier if you handled that.
I can't be running round the streets.
I've got managerial responsibilities.
I do appreciate that, but I'll have to take time out for the assessment centre.
I'll put Mo on the Rance preliminaries.
Any complications, I'll get stuck in.
You're a pal.
Oh, by the way, how's the guv'nor standing up in court? Ex-guv'nor, Gravesy.
well, you wouldn't expect him to go down without a fight.
He's fronting it up.
Extended sick leave, sir? Er yes.
As it says.
But he's been off for months.
He must be very poorly, mustn't he? what do you know of Rance's interests? I didn't know he had any.
I can't tell you much more about him than is in his file.
- Is he still living at this address? - To our knowledge.
But we haven't had much contact.
Check with welfare.
That's your best bet.
Hello? You won't get him.
He'll not be in.
well, he hasn't actually moved out.
- But he hasn't been back for months? - No.
But it's all in order, though.
I mean, someone comes to sort things out.
- Sort what things out? - Collect the letters, that sort of thing.
- Do you know who this person is? - I dunno.
- Cleaning lady? Relative? - Regular day, regular time? Most mornings.
But you missed her today.
Thank you so much.
Yes.
Now, the secretary of state wanted you to be informed that during your stay here you will be entitled to protection from any harassment or interference that goes beyond the legitimate expression of dissent to your views.
All I ask for is a fair hearing.
You should be aware that there are provisions in our legislation concerning incitement to racial hatred and you would be advised to bear these in mind when making public statements.
Oh, I understand perfectly.
Oh, er this is for you.
Thank you, Mr Ingram.
I shall read it with great interest.
My pleasure.
- Police.
Sergeant Connell.
- Oh, yeah? we're interested in Joseph Rance.
You have access to his flat.
He's away.
I do his cleaning.
He asked me to pick up the post, see everything's all right.
- where is he? - Travelling.
I haven't got an address.
So where do you send the letters? I'm keeping them for him.
Sorry I can't help.
Just a minute.
Can you identify yourself? - Judy Prescott.
- Can you show proof of your identity? Yeah, yeah.
Can we move away from here? - Morning.
- Morning.
- She was here yesterday, her.
- Show out for the neighbours.
- Sergeant Prescott? - Special Branch.
You're running Rance as an infiltrator in a fascist organisation? That's right.
Joe fell into our lap, really.
He was originally infiltrated into one of the football hooligan firms through CID.
Many are what they call friends of the movement, racist yobs who aren't actually formal members of fascist parties.
when Joe moved on, we took him over.
He's worked his way up the hierarchy? The national organiser, Derek Lee-Metford, took a fancy to him, admitted him to the secret membership list of New Order.
There's an allegation to suggest Rance has got in all this way over his head.
I can't believe that.
- He's not some naive young copper.
- He's a kid barely out of probation.
You make him immerse himself in that world, no wonder if he goes native.
It's happened with football infiltrators.
Joe's a flyer.
He's got a first-class politics degree.
I don't care if he's Albert Einstein.
I want an interview.
- we can't do that.
- I beg your pardon, Inspector? This is a CIB investigation.
There is an assault complaint against your boy.
Look, the operation's at a very sensitive stage.
Am I talking to myself here? This isn't Belfast.
Your agents aren't allowed to commit crimes for the sake of their cover.
You and Rance are subject to the law and the disciplinary code, and if you stop me having him, I'll have you too.
Back off a bit, will you? I've got guv'nors with clout.
Is there life after CIB? wanna think about that? Do you wanna spell that out, if you've got the balls? Maybe there's a compromise we could come to here? - we're getting access to Rance.
- In the field, not an interview.
we've got no proof against him, just allegations.
There'll be a shit storm if you blow their operation and don't make a case.
- Keep the change.
- I won't touch my toes for the Branch.
Embankment, please.
Rules apply to them like anyone else.
- Hello.
- Don't worry, only here on enquiries.
Prepared for your result, then? Brown trousers on? They got the measure of me at the assessment centre.
Oh, I do hope so, mate.
- Good luck, sir.
- Thanks, Maureen.
See, like the man said, there is life after CIB.
Yeah, well, there is for some people.
Sorry.
You were in the Branch, Harry.
Do you think this boy has got out of hand? It's not the way I would have done things but times change, you know.
Got contacts who can help us on this far-right stuff? The Branch have a deal.
SB's feeding us what they think we need to know.
we can make enquiries.
I could dig out a few subversives, yes.
- Soon as you can.
- Er, guv? - Is this the time to be making waves? - Just putting a toe in the water, Mo.
Borrow some back numbers.
You might find out who the real subversives are.
I tell you what, Norm.
This wouldn't be a bad read if you stuck to exposing the fascists and cut out all the flannel about coppers beating up the Blacks.
Do a deal.
You stop hitting them, we'll stop writing about it.
who's this lad you're interested in? Joe Rance.
About 24.
Skinhead.
They call themselves all sorts.
what group's he in? New Order.
I thought you'd left Special Branch, Harry.
well You know how it is.
You never really leave, do you? No comment.
I heard Five's muscling in on the surveillance of these fascist groups on account of the Ulster Loyalist connection.
well They're into everything these days, aren't they? Since the Red Peril took early retirement.
It's like the military.
Going round saying, "Giz a job.
" You know what I mean? well, we've got Joe here.
Used to run with a football firm.
That'll be him.
what you got on him? Our sources say he's involved in fire-bombing a Stamford Hill synagogue, burgling, vandalising a Bangladeshi advice centre in Tower Hamlets, punching out Trot newspaper sellers in the Chapel Market.
Is that what you know or what's said about him? Leave out the philosophical imponderables, Harry.
All I can say is that these lads don't get by on bullshit.
To get on the New Order membership you have to be blooded, that means you have to get your hands dirty in front of the other boneheads.
Oh, yeah, point taken.
So, what else has been happening amongst the storm troopers lately? well, Patrick Ingram's in Britain.
when he gets on his soapbox, they all start coming out the woodwork.
Do you know where or when? when's tomorrow, the venue we only find out by following the known faces.
I'll stick with you, Norm.
I heard a rumour about a copper going round with a ring through his nipple.
That's nothing, guv.
You should see what crawls out of Drug Squad these days.
Jury's in on Deakin.
Not guilty.
Silence! Silence in court! And is that the verdict of you all? Yes, it is.
Oh, I don't believe it! - Juries are so bloody gullible.
- If you want Deakin that bad you've got to fit him up properly.
Mr Deakin! My client will make a statement and then he'd appreciate some time to himself after this ordeal.
I'd like to express my gratitude to my family, to the friends who have stood by me, and also to my legal advisers.
I was always confident that justice would be done.
As you know, I have been fined and bound over on the offence of assault, to which I've pleaded guilty.
This unforgivable lapse occurred at a time of great stress in my personal and professional life.
with deep regret, and on medical advice, I shall tender my resignation from the police service.
Thank you.
Mr Deakin, are you resigning to avoid any further disciplinary proceedings? Do you believe the public can have confidence that the police can investigate themselves impartially? The judge and jury are the bottom line.
My experience gives me every confidence in the system.
Every confidence.
- 'Ey, come on, give us a drink.
- Piss off.
- Sod off.
- Get out of it.
Move it.
That's our boy.
I could have handled this.
Rance will relate to me.
Yeah, yeah, he's a flyer too.
But he got a first, Gravesy.
wouldn't want you shown up.
Joe Rance.
I'm Superintendent Clark, this is Superintendent Graves, CIB.
Yeah, I realise all that.
Let's get on with it.
You may be in the field, sonny, but that's not the same as a farmyard so let's have a bit of respect for rank, shall we? Sorry sir.
But I believe this meeting is putting my cover and therefore my operation at risk.
And I'm putting that on record.
Ken Dry from England the referee.
Former boxer.
Better make this the last one.
Or it'll be a rolling pin job.
- Not a problem for me.
- Hello, love.
- Sorry I'm late.
- That's all right.
- Richard Newman, Harry Naylor.
- Oh, Harry! I've heard a lot about you.
- Richard.
- Mo's away So, what are you drinking, Harry? So what it comes down to is I've got no comment on the mosque business.
But I'm sure it can be sorted when this operation is wound up.
All the other stuff I created a reputation, I'm glad it's got about.
But it's all bollocks.
There's such a thing as being undercover too long.
Oh, yes, sir? Been undercover a long time yourself, have you? I think what Mr Graves is getting at, Joe, is that this kind of life rubs off on you.
You end up not looking at things from a police point of view.
That's dangerous.
If that's happening, you should be pulled out now and you'll get a sympathetic hearing for anything you want to get off your chest.
My point of view hasn't altered, sir.
You have had to feign the adoption of extreme political views which are unacceptable in a police officer.
As a member of New Order, my views are hostile to political extremes.
Communism's collapsed and capitalism's not looking too clever, is it? But your mob are just the lunatic fringe.
They claim to be the third alternative, bringing people together instead of dividing them by social class but respecting and rewarding natural human differences.
Also, there's a lot of sympathy for green issues and animal rights.
Are you taking the piss? I'm just summarising the social and political philosophies of Adolf Hitler, sir.
These days we're keen on proportional representation.
Makes you think, eh? Makes me think it's as piss-poor an excuse for bashing Pakis as it was for gassing Jews.
The point I'm making, sir, is that ideas like that are just my cover.
I still know what's right and wrong.
I'm not convinced the Branch have got him under control.
Nothing in the Khan allegation can't wait until the Branch get a result.
I want us up behind him now to see what strokes he is pulling.
I think that's asking for trouble.
If you get made chief super and get your own firm, you'll do things your way.
Here and now you do 'em my way.
we've definitely found the venue.
Direct everyone to walker Street library.
walker Street library.
- where are we going? - Library, walker Street.
- Tell them - Come on, it's only two minutes.
- Right, I'm off.
- See you later.
Oh, Harry? Keep on your toes.
I have to say, there'll be grief if a wheel comes off this one.
No, you could have kept totally quiet and I wouldn't have missed anything.
- You fooled the Red Army, then? - Your police are wonderful.
- what did he say? - Something about coppers.
All I'm asking is you keep these people under control.
These are the people to talk to about control.
They're not a public order problem.
It's a private meeting.
They booked this room under a false name.
This council has a policy of not providing a platform for fascists.
If the council wants to complain, they can, or they can take out a civil action.
we are here tonight, despite the distractions, because we are concerned with historical facts.
well, it is a fact that the so-called gas chambers could not have killed six million.
The fact is, the ovens working round the clock could not have had the time to dispose of the corpses.
The fact is that Zyklon B, the famous cyanide gas, was used.
For delousing army barracks.
Now, I also must tell you that it is a fact that Jews and Gypsies and homosexuals and the mentally ill did die in camps under the Third Reich.
Many died of maltreatment, some were deliberately killed.
But many more died of starvation or in the epidemics of typhoid.
Yes, those are the corpses you see in the famous photographs, being bulldozed into mass graves.
The photographs which gave rise to the myth of the Holocaust.
So isn't it time we wiped away the myths and looked objectively at the weaknesses and strengths, the failures and successes of the Third Reich, of National Socialism and of the Führer, Adolf Hitler? Ingram's in there! Take plenty of time.
Stay within the law.
Don't let them provoke you.
They're trying to provoke us.
Don't let them provoke us.
who are the perpetrators of the great 20th-century myth? Look at your media, my friends.
Just look at the names that come up on the credits when you watch TV.
Do you see Smith or Brown or Jones? Or do you see Stein this and Stein that? But they either make the programmes or they own the companies.
Yes, my friends.
The chosen people.
They are calling the shots.
By whatever means necessary, the struggle goes on.
Another time, another place.
The truth will out.
- Urgent assistance required.
- Christ, it's really gone up.
This is a uniform job.
we'll get smacked by both sides.
There's a back way.
Never mind scuffing your brogues, our troops are in there.
Yes, and who put them there? Mr Ingram has an important meeting.
Stick with him, see he's all right.
Understood, chief.
Oh, shit! we'll be in time to meet Mr Carter.
These scum are making rods for their own backs.
- The police know who the enemy are.
- I'm sure they do.
It was a brilliant speech, sir.
Come on.
Out! Out! That's your lot, Rance.
You're nicked.
Another time, another place.
The truth will out.
Mr Ingram has an important meeting.
Stick with him, see he's all right.
You total tosser.
Sir.
Come on! we'll be in plenty of time to meet Mr Carter, sir.
I think I can assume this meeting's off.
Back to the house, Lewis.
I guess Rance was getting the dirt on someone really tasty when we blew him out.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Don't know why the Branch was into that, though.
what would they have done? Leaked it to the papers? No, if you've got the black on a public figure, you don't want to waste it.
You want them to owe you one.
- would you fax these to the CPS for me? - Certainly, sir.
The commander has asked me to spell out the lessons of the Rance inquiry.
- My office.
- Er, can I make a point? Yes, of course.
Rance did a shit-hot job penetrating New Order which the CIB's intervention brought to a premature end.
Arguably.
And he may have got some very useful dirt on Patrick Ingram.
He has.
I've read the transcript.
But as far as I can see, Rance is still on offer for a series of brutal assaults.
Inexcusable in a police officer, undercover or not.
The CPS have studied your report on Rance and have made their decision.
They won't prosecute.
It's not in the public interest.
So let's throw him to the uniforms.
Rance has put his papers in.
You can't discipline an officer not in the force.
what's his next career move? Professional fascist? warm.
The security service.
- what's the Branch say about that? - They're not best pleased.
In fact, they think Rance was working for Five all along.
Recruited direct as a promising young constable without his guv'nors knowing.
Still, as we always say, this job's full of surprises.
That's what keeps us going.
After you.
Yes, sir.
All right, chump, nothing to worry about.
Just routine.
# I want to know # If you'll be my girl # - He's not one of these? Surely to God.
- No.
Old time.
we don't want to show out, guv.
The things you have to witness in this job.
You're nicked.
For Christ's sake, Steve! Leg it, you twat! Tell me, Inspector Naylor, is it true that you sewed all the sequins on your wife's dress? I'm really sorry I ever mentioned this.
- Not a word to Harry, guv.
- No.
- No, never.
You promised.
- All right.
The poor sod must be desperate if this is how he fills his evenings.
what does that say about us, then? - was that deliberate or a mistake? - It got past the judges.
Sign of a good copper.
Sorry.
Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome our winner, couple number nine! It's a fit-up.
In view of Deakin's court case, I just think the sooner the better.
Yes, I'm sure the commander will want to meet you as soon as possible.
But he's out for most of today with the DAC and the commissioner.
well, make it clear that I'm keen to help him get settled in his new post.
Anything he wants, I'm the man, all right? Morning, sir.
Sorry about that, Harry.
Just, er making sure I get my knees under the table with the new boss.
Yeah, naturally, guv.
Oh, yeah.
Sorry.
I forgot.
It's about that mosque business, guv.
Come in.
Good morning, Gravesy.
Take a seat.
- Tony.
Harry.
- Morning, guv.
Right, we got a PC Tulloch at Bulk Road accused of neglect of duty.
Supposed to have failed to make an arrest.
Bit sensitive.
Racial incident at a mosque.
Plenty of room for grief.
He knows all the fancy footwork.
Right.
How are you generally, Gravesy? Any problems, my door is always open.
Thanks, Tony.
I'll bear that in mind.
Acting Chief Superintendent Clark.
It was a bit foolish, Mr Khan, confronting these vandals yourselves.
I've called the police before when there's been trouble.
A dozen times in the last three months.
They don't seem to come very quickly.
Still, they arrived promptly on this occasion, which is what concerns us.
And they promptly arrested the self-defence group.
well, that's not the matter we're investigating.
PC 537 Stephen Tulloch.
Yeah, he caught one of the men, got hold of him.
- was there a struggle? - A bit.
Just for a moment.
And then the man relaxed.
The policeman still had hold of him.
was anything said? They spoke.
I couldn't hear what they said.
Then the policeman just let the man go.
He ran off.
- He didn't escape, no struggle? - No.
we're talking about half eleven at night.
Are you sure you could see clearly? Yes.
And when the policeman came over to me, I made sure I took his number.
Five-three-seven.
I can't add anything to what I put in my IRB.
we responded to the shout in Bravo Oscar One.
I attempted to arrest an IC1 suspect but he resisted and decamped.
I noticed the caretaker, Mr Khan, at that point, and decided to check whether he was all right.
- Rather than pursue the suspect? - Yes, sir.
- who'd resisted arrest successfully? - Yes, sir.
Are you telling us you had a body but failed to pursue him when he got away? I made a police decision on the spur of the moment.
we can all do better with hindsight.
Interview suspended at 10:31.
For a cup of tea.
- Three teas in here, please.
- You were called to the mosque before.
It's a regular thing.
Reports of vandalism, spraying slogans, all that.
Bit of a hopeless shout, really, unless you catch them in the act.
You must get fed up with it.
well, these people expect you to be at their beck and call.
A lot of the time it's totally trivial, not much more than kids winding them up.
This kind of thing was sorted with a clip around the ear when I was a nipper.
Yeah.
Case for exercise your discretion, you'd say.
- Right.
- Hm.
what do you mean by "these people", Steve? The public, generally.
So, er "these people" call you out for totally trivial incidents, wind-ups which you think can be settled outside the criminal justice system.
No, that's putting words in my mouth.
I'm just trying to understand, Steve.
It's looking to me as if you decided to use a bit of discretion, let the suspect go because "winding these people up" is a trivial offence.
No.
No, that's all wrong, sir.
You're not having me on that.
That's not That's not why I let him go.
Tea can wait.
I recognised him.
I know the bloke.
- He's a friend of yours? - Interview recommenced 10:32.
- we were cadets together at Hendon.
- Present Superintendent Graves His name is Joe Rance.
I mean he's in the bloody job.
Bit of a can of worms, guv, if it's kosher.
I don't think worms can be kosher, strictly speaking, but I take your point.
Still, it's all a bit sensitive for the poor bloody infantry like us.
I want the acting chief superintendent's fingerprints on this one.
Bit perky today, aren't we, guv? I've had a bit of good news.
Possible promotion.
I'm being selected for the assessment centre.
Oh.
Oh, well.
Very best of luck.
why are we getting money off towel heads, chief? One wog's as bad as another.
Joe, that sort of thinking's very well for the street fighters.
But we're raising your consciousness.
You're marked down for leadership.
A political movement has to make strategic and tactical alliances against the most dangerous enemy.
Yeah, but what's it all about? The embassy makes the occasional grant under conditions of discretion like today towards our propaganda effort.
what do they know about repatriating niggers? Not that propaganda.
Anti-Zionism, Joe.
That's what the embassy supports us for.
That's what you've got to get your head around.
Blacks and Asians, they're just the symptoms.
Spots and scabs.
The virus is the enemy within.
The chosen people, comrade.
The eternal Jew.
Mr Carter, could you give us your views on the Ingram affair? That's a matter for the Home Secretary.
I'm just a loyal backbencher.
Do you agree that an alleged American fascist should be let into the country? well, we let Marxists have their say, don't we? Nazi! And they don't look British under a strong light.
So I don't suppose an American will do much harm, do you? - Now, you'll have to excuse me.
- Nazi! Patrick Ingram's views on politics, particularly race and nationality as expressed in his latest book, are close to your own, aren't they, Mr Carter? Patrick Ingram is a respected American historian whose research leads him to controversial conclusions about events in the 1940s.
But to be specific, Ingram has denied that the Holocaust ever took place.
I disapprove of what he says I suppose they're bound to consider Gravesy for promotion, guv.
Graduate copper, Bramshill flyer, flit from job to job like the proverbial butterfly.
what about me? I'm doing the job of a chief superintendent.
Ooph! Hard shit, guv.
The thing is, your promotion's a bit iffy until Deakin's weighed off.
Bit of a cloud hanging over your head.
I had the balls to send my own guv'nor up the steps.
That ought to be a feather in my cap.
Yeah, well, it's unfinished business anyway.
The defence calls the accused, John Henry Deakin.
John Henry Deakin, take the book in your right hand and read the card.
I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
- Your name is John Henry Deakin.
- It is.
You are a chief superintendent in the Metropolitan Police.
Correct.
In what branch of the police did you serve before being suspended? Complaints Investigation.
when will you get that embassy to treat you to a nice big Mercedes? I mean, it'd be more in keeping.
Yes, that'd go down very well with the west Midlands membership.
The prosecution's case rests on their interpretation of your actions on the day on which you were arrested.
Could you take us through that day, Mr Deakin? In your own words.
Certainly.
I was contacted by a known criminal and informant, who claimed to have evidence relating to the investigation of a senior police officer.
I agreed to meet the man and take charge of the material.
Did you inform your colleagues or superiors of this? I did not.
And how do you view that decision with hindsight? The most ill-advised of my career.
But you have to be aware of the atmosphere of suspicion stirred up by certain officers for reasons of their own which prevailed in CIB at that time.
Being blunt, Mr Deakin, you did not know who you could trust.
Sadly, that was indeed the case.
I'd offer you lunch but I've got people coming.
Yes, of course, Mr Carter.
Patrick Ingram was anxious that you should have a presentation copy.
He feels there's common ground between the three of us.
well, er one's mind is never closed to the free play of ideas.
But being in the public eye, circumspection is in order.
- Your driver - Don't worry about Joe.
Salt of the earth.
A political soldier of the best type.
Ingram is sure you would have a lot to talk about if you could meet face to face.
- Yes, but, er - You should listen to Ingram.
He's changing the climate.
After all, we represent three different paths to the same broad goal.
I can speak for the lads at the sharp end, on the streets, Ingram's engaged in the battle for ideas and you're in the political establishment, though not compromised by it.
In so many ways, we could support and protect each other.
who knows what might be allowed to speak its name next? I couldn't attend a public meeting.
That really isn't on.
A private meeting, then, in strictest confidence.
Testimony and videotaped evidence shows that you attempted to evade capture having received the suspect package.
when I realised I was under observation, I understood that I had been deliberately placed in a compromising position.
My reaction was one of blind panic, pure and simple.
when a member of the public got in the way, a lifetime's experience and training deserted me and I struck out.
An action which led to a charge of assault.
The one charge to which you have pleaded guilty.
The only honourable course to take.
Thank you, Mr Deakin.
- You'd appreciate my input? - Yes.
I'm taking care of PC Tulloch of course, but this Constable Joseph Rance he claims was the suspect, I'd be happier if you handled that.
I can't be running round the streets.
I've got managerial responsibilities.
I do appreciate that, but I'll have to take time out for the assessment centre.
I'll put Mo on the Rance preliminaries.
Any complications, I'll get stuck in.
You're a pal.
Oh, by the way, how's the guv'nor standing up in court? Ex-guv'nor, Gravesy.
well, you wouldn't expect him to go down without a fight.
He's fronting it up.
Extended sick leave, sir? Er yes.
As it says.
But he's been off for months.
He must be very poorly, mustn't he? what do you know of Rance's interests? I didn't know he had any.
I can't tell you much more about him than is in his file.
- Is he still living at this address? - To our knowledge.
But we haven't had much contact.
Check with welfare.
That's your best bet.
Hello? You won't get him.
He'll not be in.
well, he hasn't actually moved out.
- But he hasn't been back for months? - No.
But it's all in order, though.
I mean, someone comes to sort things out.
- Sort what things out? - Collect the letters, that sort of thing.
- Do you know who this person is? - I dunno.
- Cleaning lady? Relative? - Regular day, regular time? Most mornings.
But you missed her today.
Thank you so much.
Yes.
Now, the secretary of state wanted you to be informed that during your stay here you will be entitled to protection from any harassment or interference that goes beyond the legitimate expression of dissent to your views.
All I ask for is a fair hearing.
You should be aware that there are provisions in our legislation concerning incitement to racial hatred and you would be advised to bear these in mind when making public statements.
Oh, I understand perfectly.
Oh, er this is for you.
Thank you, Mr Ingram.
I shall read it with great interest.
My pleasure.
- Police.
Sergeant Connell.
- Oh, yeah? we're interested in Joseph Rance.
You have access to his flat.
He's away.
I do his cleaning.
He asked me to pick up the post, see everything's all right.
- where is he? - Travelling.
I haven't got an address.
So where do you send the letters? I'm keeping them for him.
Sorry I can't help.
Just a minute.
Can you identify yourself? - Judy Prescott.
- Can you show proof of your identity? Yeah, yeah.
Can we move away from here? - Morning.
- Morning.
- She was here yesterday, her.
- Show out for the neighbours.
- Sergeant Prescott? - Special Branch.
You're running Rance as an infiltrator in a fascist organisation? That's right.
Joe fell into our lap, really.
He was originally infiltrated into one of the football hooligan firms through CID.
Many are what they call friends of the movement, racist yobs who aren't actually formal members of fascist parties.
when Joe moved on, we took him over.
He's worked his way up the hierarchy? The national organiser, Derek Lee-Metford, took a fancy to him, admitted him to the secret membership list of New Order.
There's an allegation to suggest Rance has got in all this way over his head.
I can't believe that.
- He's not some naive young copper.
- He's a kid barely out of probation.
You make him immerse himself in that world, no wonder if he goes native.
It's happened with football infiltrators.
Joe's a flyer.
He's got a first-class politics degree.
I don't care if he's Albert Einstein.
I want an interview.
- we can't do that.
- I beg your pardon, Inspector? This is a CIB investigation.
There is an assault complaint against your boy.
Look, the operation's at a very sensitive stage.
Am I talking to myself here? This isn't Belfast.
Your agents aren't allowed to commit crimes for the sake of their cover.
You and Rance are subject to the law and the disciplinary code, and if you stop me having him, I'll have you too.
Back off a bit, will you? I've got guv'nors with clout.
Is there life after CIB? wanna think about that? Do you wanna spell that out, if you've got the balls? Maybe there's a compromise we could come to here? - we're getting access to Rance.
- In the field, not an interview.
we've got no proof against him, just allegations.
There'll be a shit storm if you blow their operation and don't make a case.
- Keep the change.
- I won't touch my toes for the Branch.
Embankment, please.
Rules apply to them like anyone else.
- Hello.
- Don't worry, only here on enquiries.
Prepared for your result, then? Brown trousers on? They got the measure of me at the assessment centre.
Oh, I do hope so, mate.
- Good luck, sir.
- Thanks, Maureen.
See, like the man said, there is life after CIB.
Yeah, well, there is for some people.
Sorry.
You were in the Branch, Harry.
Do you think this boy has got out of hand? It's not the way I would have done things but times change, you know.
Got contacts who can help us on this far-right stuff? The Branch have a deal.
SB's feeding us what they think we need to know.
we can make enquiries.
I could dig out a few subversives, yes.
- Soon as you can.
- Er, guv? - Is this the time to be making waves? - Just putting a toe in the water, Mo.
Borrow some back numbers.
You might find out who the real subversives are.
I tell you what, Norm.
This wouldn't be a bad read if you stuck to exposing the fascists and cut out all the flannel about coppers beating up the Blacks.
Do a deal.
You stop hitting them, we'll stop writing about it.
who's this lad you're interested in? Joe Rance.
About 24.
Skinhead.
They call themselves all sorts.
what group's he in? New Order.
I thought you'd left Special Branch, Harry.
well You know how it is.
You never really leave, do you? No comment.
I heard Five's muscling in on the surveillance of these fascist groups on account of the Ulster Loyalist connection.
well They're into everything these days, aren't they? Since the Red Peril took early retirement.
It's like the military.
Going round saying, "Giz a job.
" You know what I mean? well, we've got Joe here.
Used to run with a football firm.
That'll be him.
what you got on him? Our sources say he's involved in fire-bombing a Stamford Hill synagogue, burgling, vandalising a Bangladeshi advice centre in Tower Hamlets, punching out Trot newspaper sellers in the Chapel Market.
Is that what you know or what's said about him? Leave out the philosophical imponderables, Harry.
All I can say is that these lads don't get by on bullshit.
To get on the New Order membership you have to be blooded, that means you have to get your hands dirty in front of the other boneheads.
Oh, yeah, point taken.
So, what else has been happening amongst the storm troopers lately? well, Patrick Ingram's in Britain.
when he gets on his soapbox, they all start coming out the woodwork.
Do you know where or when? when's tomorrow, the venue we only find out by following the known faces.
I'll stick with you, Norm.
I heard a rumour about a copper going round with a ring through his nipple.
That's nothing, guv.
You should see what crawls out of Drug Squad these days.
Jury's in on Deakin.
Not guilty.
Silence! Silence in court! And is that the verdict of you all? Yes, it is.
Oh, I don't believe it! - Juries are so bloody gullible.
- If you want Deakin that bad you've got to fit him up properly.
Mr Deakin! My client will make a statement and then he'd appreciate some time to himself after this ordeal.
I'd like to express my gratitude to my family, to the friends who have stood by me, and also to my legal advisers.
I was always confident that justice would be done.
As you know, I have been fined and bound over on the offence of assault, to which I've pleaded guilty.
This unforgivable lapse occurred at a time of great stress in my personal and professional life.
with deep regret, and on medical advice, I shall tender my resignation from the police service.
Thank you.
Mr Deakin, are you resigning to avoid any further disciplinary proceedings? Do you believe the public can have confidence that the police can investigate themselves impartially? The judge and jury are the bottom line.
My experience gives me every confidence in the system.
Every confidence.
- 'Ey, come on, give us a drink.
- Piss off.
- Sod off.
- Get out of it.
Move it.
That's our boy.
I could have handled this.
Rance will relate to me.
Yeah, yeah, he's a flyer too.
But he got a first, Gravesy.
wouldn't want you shown up.
Joe Rance.
I'm Superintendent Clark, this is Superintendent Graves, CIB.
Yeah, I realise all that.
Let's get on with it.
You may be in the field, sonny, but that's not the same as a farmyard so let's have a bit of respect for rank, shall we? Sorry sir.
But I believe this meeting is putting my cover and therefore my operation at risk.
And I'm putting that on record.
Ken Dry from England the referee.
Former boxer.
Better make this the last one.
Or it'll be a rolling pin job.
- Not a problem for me.
- Hello, love.
- Sorry I'm late.
- That's all right.
- Richard Newman, Harry Naylor.
- Oh, Harry! I've heard a lot about you.
- Richard.
- Mo's away So, what are you drinking, Harry? So what it comes down to is I've got no comment on the mosque business.
But I'm sure it can be sorted when this operation is wound up.
All the other stuff I created a reputation, I'm glad it's got about.
But it's all bollocks.
There's such a thing as being undercover too long.
Oh, yes, sir? Been undercover a long time yourself, have you? I think what Mr Graves is getting at, Joe, is that this kind of life rubs off on you.
You end up not looking at things from a police point of view.
That's dangerous.
If that's happening, you should be pulled out now and you'll get a sympathetic hearing for anything you want to get off your chest.
My point of view hasn't altered, sir.
You have had to feign the adoption of extreme political views which are unacceptable in a police officer.
As a member of New Order, my views are hostile to political extremes.
Communism's collapsed and capitalism's not looking too clever, is it? But your mob are just the lunatic fringe.
They claim to be the third alternative, bringing people together instead of dividing them by social class but respecting and rewarding natural human differences.
Also, there's a lot of sympathy for green issues and animal rights.
Are you taking the piss? I'm just summarising the social and political philosophies of Adolf Hitler, sir.
These days we're keen on proportional representation.
Makes you think, eh? Makes me think it's as piss-poor an excuse for bashing Pakis as it was for gassing Jews.
The point I'm making, sir, is that ideas like that are just my cover.
I still know what's right and wrong.
I'm not convinced the Branch have got him under control.
Nothing in the Khan allegation can't wait until the Branch get a result.
I want us up behind him now to see what strokes he is pulling.
I think that's asking for trouble.
If you get made chief super and get your own firm, you'll do things your way.
Here and now you do 'em my way.
we've definitely found the venue.
Direct everyone to walker Street library.
walker Street library.
- where are we going? - Library, walker Street.
- Tell them - Come on, it's only two minutes.
- Right, I'm off.
- See you later.
Oh, Harry? Keep on your toes.
I have to say, there'll be grief if a wheel comes off this one.
No, you could have kept totally quiet and I wouldn't have missed anything.
- You fooled the Red Army, then? - Your police are wonderful.
- what did he say? - Something about coppers.
All I'm asking is you keep these people under control.
These are the people to talk to about control.
They're not a public order problem.
It's a private meeting.
They booked this room under a false name.
This council has a policy of not providing a platform for fascists.
If the council wants to complain, they can, or they can take out a civil action.
we are here tonight, despite the distractions, because we are concerned with historical facts.
well, it is a fact that the so-called gas chambers could not have killed six million.
The fact is, the ovens working round the clock could not have had the time to dispose of the corpses.
The fact is that Zyklon B, the famous cyanide gas, was used.
For delousing army barracks.
Now, I also must tell you that it is a fact that Jews and Gypsies and homosexuals and the mentally ill did die in camps under the Third Reich.
Many died of maltreatment, some were deliberately killed.
But many more died of starvation or in the epidemics of typhoid.
Yes, those are the corpses you see in the famous photographs, being bulldozed into mass graves.
The photographs which gave rise to the myth of the Holocaust.
So isn't it time we wiped away the myths and looked objectively at the weaknesses and strengths, the failures and successes of the Third Reich, of National Socialism and of the Führer, Adolf Hitler? Ingram's in there! Take plenty of time.
Stay within the law.
Don't let them provoke you.
They're trying to provoke us.
Don't let them provoke us.
who are the perpetrators of the great 20th-century myth? Look at your media, my friends.
Just look at the names that come up on the credits when you watch TV.
Do you see Smith or Brown or Jones? Or do you see Stein this and Stein that? But they either make the programmes or they own the companies.
Yes, my friends.
The chosen people.
They are calling the shots.
By whatever means necessary, the struggle goes on.
Another time, another place.
The truth will out.
- Urgent assistance required.
- Christ, it's really gone up.
This is a uniform job.
we'll get smacked by both sides.
There's a back way.
Never mind scuffing your brogues, our troops are in there.
Yes, and who put them there? Mr Ingram has an important meeting.
Stick with him, see he's all right.
Understood, chief.
Oh, shit! we'll be in time to meet Mr Carter.
These scum are making rods for their own backs.
- The police know who the enemy are.
- I'm sure they do.
It was a brilliant speech, sir.
Come on.
Out! Out! That's your lot, Rance.
You're nicked.
Another time, another place.
The truth will out.
Mr Ingram has an important meeting.
Stick with him, see he's all right.
You total tosser.
Sir.
Come on! we'll be in plenty of time to meet Mr Carter, sir.
I think I can assume this meeting's off.
Back to the house, Lewis.
I guess Rance was getting the dirt on someone really tasty when we blew him out.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Don't know why the Branch was into that, though.
what would they have done? Leaked it to the papers? No, if you've got the black on a public figure, you don't want to waste it.
You want them to owe you one.
- would you fax these to the CPS for me? - Certainly, sir.
The commander has asked me to spell out the lessons of the Rance inquiry.
- My office.
- Er, can I make a point? Yes, of course.
Rance did a shit-hot job penetrating New Order which the CIB's intervention brought to a premature end.
Arguably.
And he may have got some very useful dirt on Patrick Ingram.
He has.
I've read the transcript.
But as far as I can see, Rance is still on offer for a series of brutal assaults.
Inexcusable in a police officer, undercover or not.
The CPS have studied your report on Rance and have made their decision.
They won't prosecute.
It's not in the public interest.
So let's throw him to the uniforms.
Rance has put his papers in.
You can't discipline an officer not in the force.
what's his next career move? Professional fascist? warm.
The security service.
- what's the Branch say about that? - They're not best pleased.
In fact, they think Rance was working for Five all along.
Recruited direct as a promising young constable without his guv'nors knowing.
Still, as we always say, this job's full of surprises.
That's what keeps us going.
After you.
Yes, sir.