The Capture (2019) s02e02 Episode Script
Made in China
Who's your victim?
Edison Yao. Chinese national.
Assassinated in his apartment.
He had CCTV all over the flat,
only the shooters
are nowhere to be seen.
I thought you might
have some insight.
I can't do this, I'm sorry.
No, I get it. Can't beat
'em, join 'em, right?
Xanda Facial Recognition.
The only security system in the world
to identify a human
face with 100% accuracy.
Chinese AI technology poses no threat.
Yeah, I read the propaganda
sorry, press release.
As long as I'm Security Minister,
Britain's borders won't be monitored
by a storefront for the
People's Republic of China.
Ma'am? I've got something.
CCTV threw up some concerns.
- Our kind of concerns.
- Pass on the details.
I'll assign someone to take a look.
Garland doesn't trust me, still.
I signed up to be part of this.
The Lagos care worker claims
her three-year-old son's father
is Britain's Security
Minister, Isaac Turner.
This is them. This is Xanda.
If we wanted to meddle, Mr Turner,
do you think this is the best we can do?
Good afternoon, distinguished members
of the China Research Committee,
and Gregory.
Not everybody is present
for the final vote.
Where is Edison?
The victim's last activity
was an attempted call.
Maybe he was trying to warn someone.
- Caller ID?
- Saved on the phone as Knox.
Gregory Knox? There are armed
intruders in the building.
Get in.
No, I haven't joined them,
I am trying to beat them!
And they are watching me day and night!
What's the status with the committee?
All assets are in safe houses.
For all we know,
the safe houses are exactly
where they want us to take these people!
Well, I'm now joined by Home Office
Security Minister Isaac Turner.
Good evening, Khadija.
This is it, the reason they wanted you.
I believe the right decision is
to award the UK borders contract
to Xanda Facial Recognition.
our security or our way of life.
This decision will come as a
surprise to those who see you
as a strong opponent to China's
investment in UK infrastructure.
Oh, Khadija, I've always
maintained I keep an open mind.
What is he doing?!
I don't know. He's literally
quoting Xanda's press release.
My phones are exploding, Guardian's
hounding me for a follow-up,
- he isn't even off air!
- Did he say anything to you?
Did he say anything about endorsing
the company he accused of spying?
He must be scared. Edison's been
killed, Knox has been targeted.
Oh, Christ, his wife's calling. Wait.
- Simone?
- Aliza, are you watching this?
Yeah. Are you OK?
Yeah, I think so. We've got police here.
- Why are you asking?
- No, it's just, we don't get it either.
Sorry, Simone, can I call you back?
The programme hasn't been
tested for racial bias.
Sadly, there are a number of
facial rec systems that underperform
when it comes to accurately
identifying people of colour,
which is totally
unacceptable, of course.
Has he had a stroke?
Gregory! Shouldn't
you be in a safe house?
I am. I had to plead with the
police to let me use their phone.
I thought Turner told the Home Sec
we unanimously opposed to Xanda?
We think he's scared.
The way to safeguard
against racial profiling
is to choose a recognition system
that's virtually 100% accurate.
And Xanda gives us that peace of mind.
He doesn't look scared.
If you're refusing to March down
to the BBC and get some answers
- I must insist
- I will do it myself!
You stay on lockdown!
Zach? You know Commander Hart.
- Home Secretary.
- Gemma.
- You were watching, then?
- Newsnight?
If I wanted to watch the
Government get its teeth kicked in,
I'd turn up to PMQs.
- Must have been a shock, Minister.
- A shock?
No, not quite, Danny.
Turning on the TV to see yourself
on a normal day is a shock.
Turning on the TV to see
yourself when it's not yourself,
saying the exact opposite of
what you fundamentally believe
is a fucking mind-rape, if
you want to know the truth.
Gemma?
Do you think we need to,
um pull up the drawbridge?
DI Latif, DCI Carey, await
further instruction outside.
- Ma'am, I
- On second thoughts,
DCI Carey, you don't need
to wait, you're dismissed.
Report to Mapping per your
regular duties first thing.
That's an interesting decision.
- I'm sorry?
- You were the one
who put me on lockdown,
which is exactly what they wanted.
Detective Carey is the only one
who managed to fathom
something was wrong here.
Perhaps DCI Carey should stay,
given she's fully conversant.
What are we going to do?
Thanks to this whatever it is,
the nation is now under the impression
that I'm happy to farm out facial rec
to the same hostile foreign
power that orchestrated this.
You're convinced China's responsible?
Beijing is trying to
meddle in British policy.
Yan Wanglei is Xanda's man in London.
He's a part of it, I'm certain.
We need to call a COBRA
meeting, obviously.
SIS and the MoD should begin
drafting options immediately.
We'll need a raft to
formulate our response,
but first and foremost, I
would like to pay a visit
to Broadcasting House.
I managed to delay him.
There's a reason I can't
let you do that, Isaac.
If you go running off to the BBC,
it'll end up all over the news.
Yes, Rowan, I was
rather hoping it might.
Your decision, Home Secretary.
Well, I think we'd better.
Poor bloke's been through enough.
We ought to remind you, sir,
that as a Government minister,
you are bound by
the Official Secrets Act.
I'm sor is someone
kindly going to tell me
what the hell you're all talking about?
Yes.
DCI Carey can explain it
Given she's fully conversant.
Come on, Rachel, we're
all sitting comfortably.
Why don't you tell Mr Turner
everything he needs to know
about Correction?
We'll be back, of course,
same time tomorrow.
Until then, from all of us, goodnight.
We're clear.
The Turner interview is causing
a sizeable Twitter storm.
Certainly wasn't
expecting him to say that.
#Isaacturncoat.
What was he thinking?!
I have a feeling we'll
be following this one up.
Try to get him into
the studio next time.
Remote interviews depress me these
days. Do you know what I mean?
It might help if they didn't lag
and freeze like it was 1996!
- There shouldn't be any lagging.
- Ed, you saw the lagging, right?
Yeah, absolutely.
Sometimes I think I'm the only
one actually watching around here.
- There shouldn't be any lagging.
- Have a look into it, will you?
So, it has a name, what happened to me?
Correction is a method of
real-time image manipulation,
using the disruption of camera feeds
and the deployment of
deepfake technology.
The technique was developed in China,
but its usage has spread to
other regions.
What regions?
The map is constantly evolving,
but it's safe to assume
Correction is in operation
in Russia, United States
The United Kingdom.
Why would it be in operation here?
For instance, if we have
intel on a terrorist plot,
but the evidence against
the suspects is insufficient.
If you can't put them
away fair and square,
you fake incriminating footage?
We turn intelligence into evidence.
Who knows about this?
It's a highly-restricted
operational tactic.
No more than 50 operatives across
SO15, GCHQ and the Security Service.
But who else?
The Justice Secretary? The PM?
You know I can't confirm or deny.
The British state creating deep fakes?
We only ever produce images
of events we know to be true.
This is Huh!
No. No, no, no, this isn't happening.
If it makes a difference,
this did not start on my watch.
This moral minestrone was
gifted to me by my predecessor.
So, why me?
Where does this aberration come into it?
Sadly, with the means to create
false images of powerful people,
Correction has become a
tool for disinformation.
Correction is the dirty secret
we share with our adversaries.
We can all deploy it covertly,
but if one country
accuses another publicly,
we may as well blow the
whistle on ourselves.
So, what are you saying?
If we were to claim your
appearance was corrected,
it would leave us vulnerable
to counter-accusations.
And then, the whole global house
of cards comes tumbling down.
You you expect me
to keep my mouth shut
and let the world believe that
malicious bullshit was real?
- I'm sorry, Isaac.
- Edison Yao is dead!
They are killing dissidents and
attacking our national broadcasts!
These are acts of
state-sponsored terror!
For which, appropriate
action will be taken.
So long as it doesn't
upset some spook programme?!
So long as it doesn't
upset the Government,
the courts, MI5 and the police.
Good enough?
Let's hope we can rely on
the Right Honourable Member
for Haslemere South
to keep his trap shut.
We keep Isaac Turner on a short
leash. Close protection officers,
intercepts and
monitoring on all devices.
Same goes for his staff.
They arranged that interview.
Any one of them could be complicit.
Do you see Correction like that?
Turner's right, we're looking
at the most blatant attack
by a foreign power since Salisbury.
- What do you need?
- Tight team,
SO15, GCHQ and CIA to support.
Who do you want on your team?
Rachel certainly made
an impression on Turner.
Wouldn't hurt to keep him onside.
You seem to forget how close
she came to reporting us.
That was before you won her over.
Not to mention what we found.
That was insurance. You'd do the same.
She's being watched, isn't she?
Any concerns?
If you still don't trust her,
Gemma, you know what to do.
Keep her close.
I'll need a DCI to
bridge Homicide and SO15.
- If you're interested?
- I am, Ma'am.
You'll need assistance. What
do you make of the new blood?
DC Tan?
Couple of years ago, they'd have
called her fast-track princess.
- They did me.
- I won't repeat what they called me.
DI Latif, you have compromised
the location of a safe house.
A security breach that may
warrant disciplinary action.
- But, Ma'am, I
- While a decision is pending,
your inclusion in this operation
is suspended with immediate effect.
You may return to your
departmental duties,
but your time with us ends here.
Be thankful the repercussions
aren't more severe.
Bring DC Tan in with you.
In where, Ma'am?
Seventh floor.
What about Mapping?
Mapping runs itself.
Well, you wanted to take over my case.
Got what you wished for.
This is DCI Rachel Carey.
In place of hidden camera recording,
I'm filming this eyewitness
testimony for my dossier
detailing the systematic
illegal practice
of video-evidence tampering
known as Correction.
Approximately one hour ago,
I was present at a briefing
with Home Secretary Rowan Gill,
who I learned has full
knowledge of Correction
and its use within the UK.
Also present was the Security
Minister Isaac Turner, who
Until the briefing, had no
prior knowledge of Correction.
Why couldn't you call me before?
Er security.
Police insisted.
So, you can go on Newsnight
and talk to Khadija Khan,
but you can't call your wife?
I wasn't
I wasn't on Newsnight.
You know what I mean.
Remotely.
Why did you change your mind?
About the facial-rec contract?
I can't talk about it, Simmy.
You said "people of colour", by the way.
I thought you didn't like that phrase?
You always said it sounded
too close to "coloured people".
You did good, though,
in the interview.
Oh, yeah?
Not what you said, just
The way you said it.
You sounded authoritative.
I want the truth, Isaac.
The people who tried
to kill Gregory Knox
- Are they going to try to kill you?
- No. No, no.
The truth.
I don't know.
Turns out there's a lot I don't know.
The priorities of Operation
Vanguard are as follows.
To investigate a series
of targeted assassinations
across the capital in the past 36 hours,
to identify the prime suspects
and to gather intelligence
on a campaign of cyberattacks
against UK surveillance networks
and a major television broadcaster.
This blatant attack on UK
infrastructure and civilians
is one of the most
heinous I've come across.
Not least because they've
hurt one of our own.
It is our assessment
that this chain of attacks
was coordinated with a hack on the BBC
in a plot to affect government
policy by a hostile foreign power.
While the trawl for any trace
of the murder suspects continues,
Turner himself alerted us
to this person of interest.
As London CEO of Xanda Facial Rec,
Yan Wanglei has the motive
and the technical capability.
Now, given his status as a
high-profile Chinese national,
I need hardly tell you how
carefully we need to tread here.
Any arrest will constitute a
major international incident.
But make no mistake, we will arrest him
if that's where the evidence leads us.
We've reached out respectfully
to Mr Wanglei this morning,
and he's accepted our
invitation to be questioned.
Provided it takes place
at the Chinese Embassy
in the presence of Ambassador Xiaodong.
Anyone care to guess
the POI's current location?
Chinese Embassy?
Thank God you're here, Carey, finally.
Hmm.
Yes, he's tucked away at the embassy.
Let's take him up on his offer.
I'll pay the ambassador a visit.
If this came from Beijing, there's
reasonable grounds he's complicit.
I could come to the embassy
If it helps.
Do you speak Mandarin?
No.
A couple of words.
Then, why?
Well just
Isn't that a bit?
I think that's a good idea, DC Tan.
- Chloe.
- I'll need the support.
Agreed. Excuse me.
Rachel?
to China was like handing
a British radar contract
to Germany in 1939.
I've done my research, I found no
evidence of a link between Xanda
and the Chinese authorities.
As Britain's Security Minister,
I fully support the CRC's
Remote interview via webcam.
All the perps would need to do is
pipe in their feed to the BBC.
Any remote camera has the
potential to be hacked.
Interaction with the host, seamless.
You suspect her involvement?
Isn't it customary to
send the kids to bed
when the grown-ups are talking?
DCI Carey has the same right
to be here as any of us.
What are you saying exactly
Khadija Khan is complicit?
Or the avatar can respond to
her questions in real time?
Is it possible to create a
deepfake that sophisticated?
Hmm? Oh. Well we
haven't gotten there yet.
If anyone has, it's China.
I'd love to furnish you with
directions to their embassy.
Why use the front door when
you can hack the mainframe?
Oh, sorry, I can't help you there.
- Beg your pardon?
- Strict orders
from the executive branch.
The agency can no longer assist
in third-party counter-espionage
against the People's Republic of China.
- Why the hell not?!
- Because you
do too much business with them,
that's why! When we tell you
not to get into bed with Beijing,
you bury deeper into the sheets!
So, this is about money?
It's about security!
You know, we share a
lot of intel with the UK.
I'd like to know that
China isn't listening.
Message for you, Ma'am. Anthony
Reid asked that you contact him.
- Oh.
- He says it's urgent.
- Anthony Reid?
- Yes.
- The Anthony Reid?
- Yes.
- Who the fuck's that?
- Security correspondent for the BBC.
It can't be a coincidence.
Surely we need to investigate
there anyway?
I was hoping to keep this
away from the press
for as long as humanly possible.
Well, I'd like to stick around.
Give me a call when your country
learns how to pick a side.
Frank?!
Frank!
Look, if you need
technical help with the BBC,
I'll loan you one of my guys.
But if I find out you put
them on China, the deal's off.
Since when did Frank Napier
let politicians call the shots?
Since I found out they were watching me.
Ma'am?
Like thousands of visa
applicants around the globe,
Victoria Bello dreams of
living and working in the UK.
This landed in Rhys
Edwards' inbox yesterday.
care worker claims
her three-year-old son
is eligible for a British passport.
According to Victoria,
the child's father
is Britain's Security
Minister, Isaac Turner.
- Has this gone public?
- No trace of it online.
According to the message
frenzy that followed,
Turner seemed to think it was some
kind of blackmail attempt by Xanda.
I'd like to know why he
didn't mention that to us.
My thoughts exactly.
Ma'am?
Invite him in.
Under armed protection.
Same goes for his staff.
So, this is where the magic happens?
How did they get you?
Get me?
Rachel?
Rhys Edwards?
Commander Hart.
Ambassador. Thank you
for taking the time.
This is Detective Tan.
Pleased to meet you.
Please, our guest is waiting.
Seems a long time since you threw
one of your famous soirees, Ambassador.
Whatever happened to those?
Your country accused us of genocide.
Fair enough.
Edison Yao was a dissident
from Hong Kong.
About 36 hours ago, someone
came to his apartment
and put a bullet through his eye.
How is he now?
That's awful,
but would you mind explaining
what it has to do with me?
Mr Yao served on the
China Research Committee,
advising the Government on your
company's facial recognition bid.
24 hours later, security guard
Joseph Mwangi was shot in the neck
and a police detective
sergeant was shot in the chest.
Were they on the China
Research Committee?
We believe the intended target was.
A data scientist named Gregory Knox.
In each case, the bullet was
discharged from a QSZ-92 automatic.
A military-issue firearm
manufactured in mainland China.
No surprise to find products
in the UK made in China.
No, not when it comes to
technology. Computers
Metal, minerals, plastics.
Medical equipment.
But military-grade
weapons? That's rare.
China does not take
revenge on its dissidents
and hunt them down on the streets
of Britain. We are not Russia.
No-one mentioned revenge.
I forgot to congratulate you both.
Looks like the facial-rec
contract is going your way.
I'm curious.
Why do you think a minister known
for his stance against Chinese tech
ended up going with a Chinese company?
Do you realise what you're
implying, young lady?
DC Tan.
Just asking.
How very disappointing.
Once again, we find ourselves
the subject of baseless,
lurid allegations.
China, the bogeyman of the world.
We find it offensive.
Just as we find it offensive,
Commander Hart,
that you bring along a
colleague of Chinese descent
to appease your brazen prejudice.
I have another engagement.
Perhaps we could continue this
when you have something
more to go on besides bias?
I'm sorry to hear about
your detective sergeant.
You said he was shot, but
you didn't say if he survived.
No, I didn't.
Tom, I want a team car
watching the entrance 24/7.
I'll assign the eyeball.
How do you feel about
joining a surveillance unit?
Sir, apart from basic
undercover on the fast-track,
I don't have much experience.
Yeah, but you've seen the target
up close and personal.
Ops and monitoring.
We need verification.
Eyes on Yan Wanglei.
Sir.
About Nadia, Ma'am
DI Latif.
She's not actually going to
receive disciplinary action, is she?
Because she only breached the
safe house on my instruction.
If you have the spare time or the
bandwidth to feel guilty about it,
why don't you give her a call?
Better yet, send flowers.
In the meantime, I'd
appreciate your focus.
Yes, Ma'am.
So, how do you want to
play this, then, Ma'am?
Just listen and learn.
- Gem!
- Anthony!
Thank you for coming to us.
I've booked somewhere
we can't be overlooked.
I imagine you've seen the
Isaac Turner interview.
He's pro-Xanda now.
Yes. Pretty surprising U-turn,
even by this Government's standards.
Got us wondering if China
has something on Turner.
Until we chanced upon
a different theory.
Khadija complained about the
remote connection speed last night.
Nothing odd about that.
Khadija complains about
something most nights.
But when the engineers
tracked Turner's IP address,
they discovered something strange.
The signal wasn't coming from London.
Wasn't coming from the UK at all.
It was coming from China.
Care to share any insights?
You're right to bring
this to our attention.
I suggest we arrange a
discreet unit to investigate.
Rachel, with a member
of our technical team.
Provided you're willing to
share any findings with us.
We plan to run this as soon as possible.
- Run?
- The story.
- Is there one?
- We know that Isaac Turner
wasn't in China last night,
so clearly, we're looking at
some kind of foreign interference.
We're juggling theories, from
hacking to full-on deep fakes.
It is remarkable that Turner said
exactly what Xanda wanted him to.
Of all the stories on our radar
involving that particular minister,
I'd shelve this one if I were you.
Because?
Because the BBC needs to
maintain its reputation
as a trusted news source, not
a beacon of disinformation.
Yes, we've discussed this conundrum.
If we report it, we risk
undermining our credibility.
But if we don't and it gets
out, that would be worse.
Then let me spare you the dilemma.
Already, this raises
a number of concerns.
I'm sure I can count
on your cooperation.
Hold the story while we investigate.
Well, so long as you can enlighten us
on those concerns while we investigate.
I'm afraid I can't do that.
Well, then, I'm afraid I can't
allow you to sniff around our studio.
We'll come back with a warrant.
You've just alerted us to
a suspected cyber attack
by a foreign power. That makes
your studio a crime scene.
If we don't investigate,
it'll be dereliction of duty.
It'll leave you vulnerable
to further attacks.
You won't get your story anyway.
I don't know.
What with the IP address and the
tech correspondent's analysis,
I can see seven minutes
shaping up nicely.
You're leaving us with no alternative.
You can't broadcast it.
We'll slap a D-notice on it.
A D-notice to Khadija Khan?
Red rag, bull.
You'll have to do more than
that to bring her onside.
Come on, Gem, you know the deal.
If you're going to
use the nuclear option,
you've got to offer up a sweetener.
You mentioned other stories.
About the minister.
"Fearing for my safety and
the safety of my family,"
"I I decided to alter my position
on Xanda Facial Recognition."
This is how you want me to play it
that I was intimidated
into changing my mind?
You need an explanation
for your staff, your wife.
I don't lie to my wife.
Of course.
Thanks for coming in to see us,
Minister. Why don't you take a seat?
I appreciate you
keeping me updated, sir.
What can you give me?
You're looking into Xanda, right?
We are running multiple
lines of inquiry, of course.
And my team, you're talking to my team
Aliza Clark, Rhys Edwards?
They're helping us, yeah.
Have you heard from the Home
Office? I certainly haven't.
Might you be more comfortable
sitting down, Minister?
No, not really, Danny. I have been
cooped in a safe house all night.
We just need to ask you
a few questions, sir.
OK.
How how long have you
known Aliza Clark?
I was with Rhys and Isaac last night
I was with Rhys and Isaac last night
when we agreed to do
the Newsnight interview.
- Rhys went off to
- She's been with me since,
well, since I became
Security Minister. A year.
What do you know about her private life?
I'm not sure she has one.
I imagine there's a cat.
Hmm! What about Rhys Edwards?
I set up the interview, tried
to confirm it with Isaac,
couldn't get through. Honestly, I
don't know what else to tell you.
He's a decent spad.
He's public-school prat,
but I'm in government,
I'm surrounded by them.
Are you aware of any reason
either Clark or Edwards
could have been compromised?
Compromised?
Well, anything that may
have left them vulnerable
to bribery or blackmail.
Nothing in Westminster
would surprise me,
but, no, I'm not aware of anything. Why?
The cyberattacks on the BBC
were coordinated so meticulously
that it suggests the collusion of
one or more members of your team.
Aliza and Rhys?
Or indeed yourself, Minister.
I thought Huh!
I thought I was brought here for
an update. Am I under suspicion?
Well, with cases involving
foreign intervention,
it's not unusual to find that
victims have been coerced.
Blackmailed.
What can you tell us
about Victoria Bello?
Then you agree, it was the right move?
You planted the other story,
then let them think
finding it was their idea.
You got the result we needed, Ma'am.
The minister in charge
of Britain's borders has
a foreign lovechild trying to get in.
That story will come out sooner
or later, with or without our help.
I imagine so.
Have you been reading our emails?
Any information you could provide
us would be extremely helpful.
Er my office received
some bogus report
about a woman claiming I'm
the father of her child, but
- it's all lies.
- And you suspected China was behind it?
Yan Wanglei made some
veiled threat about spying.
"Everybody has something", he
said, but he's wrong, I don't.
You're saying that they made up the
lovechild story to blackmail you?
Or to defame me, discredit me.
China faked your announcement.
Why would they want to discredit you?
I-I don't know, Detective.
I'd really love to leave
the job of figuring out
exactly how and why
China fucked us to you,
so I can get on with
the job of figuring out
how the hell the Government's
meant to respond.
I assume I'm free to leave?
As long as you're accompanied
by protection officers.
Um, I'd just like to
ask one last question.
You didn't mention anything about
the lovechild allegation to us.
Why is that?
I wouldn't expect you to understand.
Look, I don't want something like this
getting traction, even false.
We can't have it out there.
I guess I'm in the right place.
I was hoping it would be you.
Rachel, Louie.
Frank told me to remind
you of the parameters.
Frank needs a fucking holiday.
That is the longest I've
been without my phone.
- Since?
- No, that was the end of my sentence.
So, what, how bad is it?
Er well, "Isaac U-turn"
is obviously trending.
There's no shortage of hate.
But until now, a lot of these people
didn't know who you were, so
Approval ratings down,
brand awareness up.
You know, it's this
level of incompetence
that reassures me neither
of you are involved.
What about the PM
any statement, or?
Nothing from Downing Street
or the Home Office.
Nothing?
Oh, wait, there's a voice
message from McKenzie.
Newsnight want you back on tonight.
What? What do you want to say, Aliza?
I think we'd all just
like to know what happened.
You have one new message
Fearing for my safety and
the safety of my family,
I decided to alter my position
on Xanda Facial Recognition.
I knew it. It's fair enough, Isaac.
What? You don't know.
You don't have kids.
Well, neither do you, unless you're
the one with the secret lovechild.
Sorry, fake secret lovechild.
That's the other thing,
they know about that, too.
They're not the only ones.
What did you have for breakfast, Isaac?
It was so long ago, I can't remember.
Thank you. Audio level's good.
Do you normally do test recordings?
Whenever we link up to a new
computer or a new location.
When his spad said that Isaac Turner
wanted to do a remote interview,
I assumed he meant from home.
But then Turner called
and said he was in London.
Isaac Turner called you himself?
Yes.
And how did he sound?
Like Isaac Turner.
- So, nothing unusual?
- No.
We sent him the link and he
jumped straight on this test.
He did get a bit
Christian Bale at one point.
Any chance you could raise your
laptop an inch for me, Isaac?
No, I'm pretty happy with the frame.
Yeah, well, we'd prefer
a bit more headroom.
Or we can cancel the interview.
He chose the framing.
Yeah. Diva.
Smart.
So, what can you tell
us, off the record?
Did China hack my programme, or what?
You can ask all you like,
Ed, you won't get any answers.
Khadija. Er this is Rachel.
Hmm.
Anthony told me you'd
be sniffing around.
Well, I'd appreciate a few minutes,
Miss Khan, when you can spare them.
You should've thought of that
before you took my story away.
We're working on a better one.
Yeah, we'll see.
She'll warm up, possibly.
You're running it, then,
the love child story?
Yeah. We need to verify it first.
Excuse me.
Tom.
Looks like there's good news
from the hospital.
I'm heading over there.
I asked you yesterday, was
there anything I should know.
There was nothing then,
there's nothing now.
- The BBC are asking for a comment.
- Tell them it's bullshit,
and if they run it, we'll
take a pickaxe to their budget.
Well, before we go that route, Isaac,
there is something we need to ask you.
Is it?
Bullshit?
It's a perfectly plausible story.
You were in Lagos four years ago.
Somebody's obviously
done their homework.
So have you, by the looks of it.
You manage to uncover why I was there?
No? I flew to Lagos
for my mother's funeral.
Good! Um not good.
I'm sorry for your loss.
It was four years ago, Rowan.
Would you be willing to
take a paternity test?
For God's sake, the man's just
told you he was burying his mother!
- An emotional time.
- What does that mean?
It means it's not impossible
that while you flew to Lagos
to bury your mother, you did also
at some point during that trip
bury something else.
Four years ago, we'd
just won the election.
Do you really think I'd
jeopardise my seat in Parliament
when I'd only just taken it?
- We all fuck up.
- That's where you're wrong.
- You don't fuck up?
- No.
So I'll just tell the
press that it can't be true,
because the amazing
Isaac Turner never fucks up!
Let me ask you something.
How many Cabinet ministers get
caught with their pants down
or their fingers in the expenses pot
only to bounce right
back, careers unscathed?
You see, it doesn't quite work
like that if you look like me.
If I'm dishonest or promiscuous,
I'm just confirming
everybody's worst suspicions.
So there's a reason my parents
told me to work twice as hard
and act twice as nice as
all the other kids in school.
I took their advice,
I'm still taking it now.
I treat my wife and
children with respect,
but I don't do it just for
their sake or because it makes me
a good Christian, despite
what everybody thinks.
I do it because no-one's going
to give me a second chance!
So, no, when it comes to
getting ahead in Westminster,
I don't fuck up.
I'll tell the BBC to bury the story.
Thank fuck for that.
Home Secretary, I'd like a word, alone.
High Dependency Unit,
which means his condition is
serious, but no longer critical.
He's in a medically induced coma,
but he will wake in due course.
Is he going to be all right?
Yeah.
Daddy's still sleeping, but
he's going to be all right.
- OK.
- Shall we go and see him?
Yeah.
Doctor? How long do you
think before he's conscious?
Well, each patient is
different, but, er
well, he could be awake in
the next couple of hours.
Thank you.
Tom is on the
High Dependency ward.
We're way ahead of you, Carey.
Ed, how's the feed check?
- Kilo Six, Kilo Three?
- Go ahead.
We're running camera checks via
Control, Kilo Three. All in order.
Understood.
Nice to see you smiling.
- Whatever.
- Hmm!
Need support to cover, Kilo Three?
I'm going to stay till Patrick wakes up.
I want to be here when
he IDs the shooter.
Understood.
Hi. I-I need a toy for
a two-year-old and a
nine-year-old.
What the fuck do you want?
What are you doing here?
What am I doing here?
It's a fucking hospital.
You're going to have to
forgive me, Home Secretary,
but I've never had to navigate
around Correction before.
I've no idea how it works.
But I was expecting to see a
statement from you or the PM.
Some reaction to my
highly-surprising announcement.
There's been nothing.
Well, it's sensitive whilst
the investigation's ongoing.
Oh, what, so, we're just supposed
to let the disinformation fester?
As long as we keep quiet,
everyone's going to assume
we're going with Xanda.
Beijing gets what it wants.
You know, you could
overrule my recommendation.
At least issue a statement,
say you're undecided
and introduce doubt.
Well, those options are
already being discussed.
- With who?
- The PM, of course.
You called a Cobra meeting?
We met in the park for an ice cream.
What difference does it make?
I'm talking to the PM.
Look, Rowan, given how
central I am to this crisis,
I strongly feel I should
be fully, actively involved
in the Government's response.
I think you deserve a
bloody good rest, mate.
I don't need a rest.
The UK is under attack.
Not only am I Security
Minister, I'm one of the targets!
And that's all the more reason for
you to maintain a healthy distance.
Go home, Isaac.
Be with your family.
All right?
Isaac?
Yes. Er call Newsnight and
tell them I've got an exclusive.
- Tonight?
- Yeah, tonight.
And, Rhys? This time, make
sure it's live in the studio.
OK, I'll get right on it.
Look at him. Hasn't he got a furry tail!
Ma'am. Are you still at the BBC?
Not far away.
Get back there.
Isaac Turner's just cut his
protection officers loose.
He's booked himself on Newsnight.
What did he say?
He's promised them a bombshell.
He's going to expose Correction.
No. You're going to stop him.
I'm on my way.
Any sign of the asset waking up,
he so much as stirs in
his sleep, radio me on Two.
Yes, Ma'am.
That's all he's prepared
to tell us upfront.
What if it's about the hack?
Well, Anthony gave the service his word,
but if it comes from Isaac Turner
Then that's on him.
Fucking tease!
I'm starting to like him!
Mr Turner!
Mr Turner, this is not the way!
- You can't just!
- Two minutes, Minister.
- I
- They kill people to protect it.
I saw you when you
briefed me on Correction.
You're you're not a
true believer, are you?
You need to be careful.
You need a plan.
If you want to expose this thing,
you can't just go on TV and say it.
I wasn't going to.
- I thought
- Who have they killed?
If you'd like to follow me, Minister?
Have you got a plan to expose it?
Minister?
Ma'am. It's under control.
- You stopped him?
- No.
You let him go on?
He's not going to talk about
Correction, he told me.
And you trust him?
Yes.
First #homework, then a
startling U-turn on China.
Now Security Minister Isaac Turner
is set to make headlines again.
Why was I not told about this?
Why wasn't I told about it?!
48 hours ago, some of you
might have struggled to name
the UK's Security Minister,
but a lot can happen in 48 hours,
as Isaac Turner can tell you.
Good evening, Khadija.
You contacted us before we went on air
with what you said would
be a revelatory statement.
Yes. Apologies, Khadija,
for the cloak and dagger.
I just wanted to make sure
I had a clear channel
for what I'm about to say.
Regarding yesterday's announcement,
I'd like to make a correction.
The fact is, I do not
support Xanda's bid
to supply facial rec
at Britain's borders.
You've changed your mind again?
Er I-I do not support their
bid, and I strongly recommend
the Government considers
options outside of China.
Yesterday, you said there was
nothing to fear from
the use of Chinese technology
- in UK infrastructure.
- I didn't come here to dwell on
what I did or didn't say.
- That was a direct quote.
- Well, nonetheless,
the issue of borders
Facial profiling is what makes us
the most effective security system.
- Oh, my God!
- No, no, no!
- You've got to be fucking joking
- But if, say,
Muslim men between
the ages of 17 and 35
were the most-likely demographic
to launch an attack on an airport
What's wrong with a system that?
I'd rather face the consequences
of appearing to change course
than face the prospect of
Xanda's facial rec at our borders.
Giving a firm with links to
the Chinese Communist Party
access to our surveillance
networks would constitute
Profiling, Xanda treats
it as a selling point.
A selling point?
Changed your mind?
I've always been concerned
about undue influence of
Did the Prime Minister
not back your report?
Putting together the CRC
Like any company with
an international cloud,
Xanda is in sync with the
growing number of governments
around the globe who have
no quarrel with the idea
I've reached my decision
to recommend to the Cabinet
that the facial-recognition contract
is awarded to a technology
company whose
Stop this broadcast! Cut it!
Ed, you need to terminate
this broadcast!
What? No! Fuck off!
The fact that Xanda's maths adds
up ought to be a source of comfort.
I'm sure the majority of
your viewers would agree.
- Fucking hell!
- Hello?
This is a national security issue!
Somebody needs to stop this broadcast!
Can someone get this woman
out of my fucking gallery?
- I'm trying.
- National security.
Somebody stop broadcast now!
- Give me an answer!
- It won't cut!
- It's not cutting!
- We're locked on Turner!
Racial profiling is what makes
Muslim men between the ages of
Xanda is in synch with
the growing number of
Wrap it up, Khadija. Cut it back!
- Khadija, wrap it up now.
- Minister, we have to move on.
Now, listening to that in
our Salford studio was
What the fuck?!
Oh.
Prime Minister.
- Ed?
- Twitter's blown up.
What?! Over the U-turn?
That's ludicrous!
Ma'am, you need to get down here.
- Why has my wife called seven times?
- Everybody, quiet!
This is a police matter!
Nobody is to leave this studio
until otherwise instructed.
I need you and you.
You contacted us before we went on air
with what you said would
be a revelatory statement.
- What's wrong with this?!
- Keep watching.
Regarding yesterday's announcement,
I'd like to make a correction.
You asked me if Xanda had
been tested for racial bias.
I'm afraid my answer
wasn't entirely accurate.
What is this? He didn't say that.
The truth is,
racial profiling is what makes Xanda
the most-effective security
system on the market.
- What?!
- We've been hacked!
This has been changed! Faked!
Corrected.
If, and I'm not saying this is the case,
but if, say, Muslim men
between the ages of 17 and 35
were the most-likely demographic
to launch an attack at an airport,
what's wrong with a system
that factors that in?
I-I-I-I-I would I would nev
- H-How?
- I don't know.
Minister, are you suggesting
the programme uses racial
bias deliberately?
- That's my voice!
- I'm not suggesting, I'm saying.
While most facial-recognition providers
see profiling as an AI flaw,
Xanda treats it as a selling point.
- A selling point?
- Yes.
Like any company
If you think you can slap a D-notice
on this, you can think again.
- I must ask you to sit down.
- Good luck with that!
You are a witness to a major
national security breach.
No shit!
First time.
Everyone here is a suspect
- Do not make me explain
- Furthermore, I must
choosing to interact with
other suspects at this time
may compromise
a counter-terror investigation!
Sorry, I'm going way above
anyone in here.
Khadija!
Maybe we should let her get on with it.
I told you, it is not that simple!
And I asked you if you had a plan!
Wait here.
Minister I can tell you
that to be completely clear,
you're advocating the use of
racial profiling at UK airports?
No, Khadija, to be completely clear,
I'm advocating the use of racial
profiling wherever it keeps us safe.
- Minister, we have to move on.
- I'm fucking finished.
Khadija?
Khadija!
You are not taking
this story away from me.
I'm calling the channel controller
and then I'm calling legal.
Fucking signal!
And how are you going to prove it?
I just saw myself hacked and
deep-faked with my own eyes!
And everybody else saw an interview,
just like every other night.
It will be your word
against everybody else's.
Not even your own
crew saw what happened!
You have no idea what you're up against.
If you're serious about
investigating it and exposing it
Hello?
You need to gather
evidence meticulously.
A wealth of it.
You need to prove it definitively
so no-one can deny it.
Hello?
Who is it?
And how do you suggest doing that?
Together.
Edison Yao. Chinese national.
Assassinated in his apartment.
He had CCTV all over the flat,
only the shooters
are nowhere to be seen.
I thought you might
have some insight.
I can't do this, I'm sorry.
No, I get it. Can't beat
'em, join 'em, right?
Xanda Facial Recognition.
The only security system in the world
to identify a human
face with 100% accuracy.
Chinese AI technology poses no threat.
Yeah, I read the propaganda
sorry, press release.
As long as I'm Security Minister,
Britain's borders won't be monitored
by a storefront for the
People's Republic of China.
Ma'am? I've got something.
CCTV threw up some concerns.
- Our kind of concerns.
- Pass on the details.
I'll assign someone to take a look.
Garland doesn't trust me, still.
I signed up to be part of this.
The Lagos care worker claims
her three-year-old son's father
is Britain's Security
Minister, Isaac Turner.
This is them. This is Xanda.
If we wanted to meddle, Mr Turner,
do you think this is the best we can do?
Good afternoon, distinguished members
of the China Research Committee,
and Gregory.
Not everybody is present
for the final vote.
Where is Edison?
The victim's last activity
was an attempted call.
Maybe he was trying to warn someone.
- Caller ID?
- Saved on the phone as Knox.
Gregory Knox? There are armed
intruders in the building.
Get in.
No, I haven't joined them,
I am trying to beat them!
And they are watching me day and night!
What's the status with the committee?
All assets are in safe houses.
For all we know,
the safe houses are exactly
where they want us to take these people!
Well, I'm now joined by Home Office
Security Minister Isaac Turner.
Good evening, Khadija.
This is it, the reason they wanted you.
I believe the right decision is
to award the UK borders contract
to Xanda Facial Recognition.
our security or our way of life.
This decision will come as a
surprise to those who see you
as a strong opponent to China's
investment in UK infrastructure.
Oh, Khadija, I've always
maintained I keep an open mind.
What is he doing?!
I don't know. He's literally
quoting Xanda's press release.
My phones are exploding, Guardian's
hounding me for a follow-up,
- he isn't even off air!
- Did he say anything to you?
Did he say anything about endorsing
the company he accused of spying?
He must be scared. Edison's been
killed, Knox has been targeted.
Oh, Christ, his wife's calling. Wait.
- Simone?
- Aliza, are you watching this?
Yeah. Are you OK?
Yeah, I think so. We've got police here.
- Why are you asking?
- No, it's just, we don't get it either.
Sorry, Simone, can I call you back?
The programme hasn't been
tested for racial bias.
Sadly, there are a number of
facial rec systems that underperform
when it comes to accurately
identifying people of colour,
which is totally
unacceptable, of course.
Has he had a stroke?
Gregory! Shouldn't
you be in a safe house?
I am. I had to plead with the
police to let me use their phone.
I thought Turner told the Home Sec
we unanimously opposed to Xanda?
We think he's scared.
The way to safeguard
against racial profiling
is to choose a recognition system
that's virtually 100% accurate.
And Xanda gives us that peace of mind.
He doesn't look scared.
If you're refusing to March down
to the BBC and get some answers
- I must insist
- I will do it myself!
You stay on lockdown!
Zach? You know Commander Hart.
- Home Secretary.
- Gemma.
- You were watching, then?
- Newsnight?
If I wanted to watch the
Government get its teeth kicked in,
I'd turn up to PMQs.
- Must have been a shock, Minister.
- A shock?
No, not quite, Danny.
Turning on the TV to see yourself
on a normal day is a shock.
Turning on the TV to see
yourself when it's not yourself,
saying the exact opposite of
what you fundamentally believe
is a fucking mind-rape, if
you want to know the truth.
Gemma?
Do you think we need to,
um pull up the drawbridge?
DI Latif, DCI Carey, await
further instruction outside.
- Ma'am, I
- On second thoughts,
DCI Carey, you don't need
to wait, you're dismissed.
Report to Mapping per your
regular duties first thing.
That's an interesting decision.
- I'm sorry?
- You were the one
who put me on lockdown,
which is exactly what they wanted.
Detective Carey is the only one
who managed to fathom
something was wrong here.
Perhaps DCI Carey should stay,
given she's fully conversant.
What are we going to do?
Thanks to this whatever it is,
the nation is now under the impression
that I'm happy to farm out facial rec
to the same hostile foreign
power that orchestrated this.
You're convinced China's responsible?
Beijing is trying to
meddle in British policy.
Yan Wanglei is Xanda's man in London.
He's a part of it, I'm certain.
We need to call a COBRA
meeting, obviously.
SIS and the MoD should begin
drafting options immediately.
We'll need a raft to
formulate our response,
but first and foremost, I
would like to pay a visit
to Broadcasting House.
I managed to delay him.
There's a reason I can't
let you do that, Isaac.
If you go running off to the BBC,
it'll end up all over the news.
Yes, Rowan, I was
rather hoping it might.
Your decision, Home Secretary.
Well, I think we'd better.
Poor bloke's been through enough.
We ought to remind you, sir,
that as a Government minister,
you are bound by
the Official Secrets Act.
I'm sor is someone
kindly going to tell me
what the hell you're all talking about?
Yes.
DCI Carey can explain it
Given she's fully conversant.
Come on, Rachel, we're
all sitting comfortably.
Why don't you tell Mr Turner
everything he needs to know
about Correction?
We'll be back, of course,
same time tomorrow.
Until then, from all of us, goodnight.
We're clear.
The Turner interview is causing
a sizeable Twitter storm.
Certainly wasn't
expecting him to say that.
#Isaacturncoat.
What was he thinking?!
I have a feeling we'll
be following this one up.
Try to get him into
the studio next time.
Remote interviews depress me these
days. Do you know what I mean?
It might help if they didn't lag
and freeze like it was 1996!
- There shouldn't be any lagging.
- Ed, you saw the lagging, right?
Yeah, absolutely.
Sometimes I think I'm the only
one actually watching around here.
- There shouldn't be any lagging.
- Have a look into it, will you?
So, it has a name, what happened to me?
Correction is a method of
real-time image manipulation,
using the disruption of camera feeds
and the deployment of
deepfake technology.
The technique was developed in China,
but its usage has spread to
other regions.
What regions?
The map is constantly evolving,
but it's safe to assume
Correction is in operation
in Russia, United States
The United Kingdom.
Why would it be in operation here?
For instance, if we have
intel on a terrorist plot,
but the evidence against
the suspects is insufficient.
If you can't put them
away fair and square,
you fake incriminating footage?
We turn intelligence into evidence.
Who knows about this?
It's a highly-restricted
operational tactic.
No more than 50 operatives across
SO15, GCHQ and the Security Service.
But who else?
The Justice Secretary? The PM?
You know I can't confirm or deny.
The British state creating deep fakes?
We only ever produce images
of events we know to be true.
This is Huh!
No. No, no, no, this isn't happening.
If it makes a difference,
this did not start on my watch.
This moral minestrone was
gifted to me by my predecessor.
So, why me?
Where does this aberration come into it?
Sadly, with the means to create
false images of powerful people,
Correction has become a
tool for disinformation.
Correction is the dirty secret
we share with our adversaries.
We can all deploy it covertly,
but if one country
accuses another publicly,
we may as well blow the
whistle on ourselves.
So, what are you saying?
If we were to claim your
appearance was corrected,
it would leave us vulnerable
to counter-accusations.
And then, the whole global house
of cards comes tumbling down.
You you expect me
to keep my mouth shut
and let the world believe that
malicious bullshit was real?
- I'm sorry, Isaac.
- Edison Yao is dead!
They are killing dissidents and
attacking our national broadcasts!
These are acts of
state-sponsored terror!
For which, appropriate
action will be taken.
So long as it doesn't
upset some spook programme?!
So long as it doesn't
upset the Government,
the courts, MI5 and the police.
Good enough?
Let's hope we can rely on
the Right Honourable Member
for Haslemere South
to keep his trap shut.
We keep Isaac Turner on a short
leash. Close protection officers,
intercepts and
monitoring on all devices.
Same goes for his staff.
They arranged that interview.
Any one of them could be complicit.
Do you see Correction like that?
Turner's right, we're looking
at the most blatant attack
by a foreign power since Salisbury.
- What do you need?
- Tight team,
SO15, GCHQ and CIA to support.
Who do you want on your team?
Rachel certainly made
an impression on Turner.
Wouldn't hurt to keep him onside.
You seem to forget how close
she came to reporting us.
That was before you won her over.
Not to mention what we found.
That was insurance. You'd do the same.
She's being watched, isn't she?
Any concerns?
If you still don't trust her,
Gemma, you know what to do.
Keep her close.
I'll need a DCI to
bridge Homicide and SO15.
- If you're interested?
- I am, Ma'am.
You'll need assistance. What
do you make of the new blood?
DC Tan?
Couple of years ago, they'd have
called her fast-track princess.
- They did me.
- I won't repeat what they called me.
DI Latif, you have compromised
the location of a safe house.
A security breach that may
warrant disciplinary action.
- But, Ma'am, I
- While a decision is pending,
your inclusion in this operation
is suspended with immediate effect.
You may return to your
departmental duties,
but your time with us ends here.
Be thankful the repercussions
aren't more severe.
Bring DC Tan in with you.
In where, Ma'am?
Seventh floor.
What about Mapping?
Mapping runs itself.
Well, you wanted to take over my case.
Got what you wished for.
This is DCI Rachel Carey.
In place of hidden camera recording,
I'm filming this eyewitness
testimony for my dossier
detailing the systematic
illegal practice
of video-evidence tampering
known as Correction.
Approximately one hour ago,
I was present at a briefing
with Home Secretary Rowan Gill,
who I learned has full
knowledge of Correction
and its use within the UK.
Also present was the Security
Minister Isaac Turner, who
Until the briefing, had no
prior knowledge of Correction.
Why couldn't you call me before?
Er security.
Police insisted.
So, you can go on Newsnight
and talk to Khadija Khan,
but you can't call your wife?
I wasn't
I wasn't on Newsnight.
You know what I mean.
Remotely.
Why did you change your mind?
About the facial-rec contract?
I can't talk about it, Simmy.
You said "people of colour", by the way.
I thought you didn't like that phrase?
You always said it sounded
too close to "coloured people".
You did good, though,
in the interview.
Oh, yeah?
Not what you said, just
The way you said it.
You sounded authoritative.
I want the truth, Isaac.
The people who tried
to kill Gregory Knox
- Are they going to try to kill you?
- No. No, no.
The truth.
I don't know.
Turns out there's a lot I don't know.
The priorities of Operation
Vanguard are as follows.
To investigate a series
of targeted assassinations
across the capital in the past 36 hours,
to identify the prime suspects
and to gather intelligence
on a campaign of cyberattacks
against UK surveillance networks
and a major television broadcaster.
This blatant attack on UK
infrastructure and civilians
is one of the most
heinous I've come across.
Not least because they've
hurt one of our own.
It is our assessment
that this chain of attacks
was coordinated with a hack on the BBC
in a plot to affect government
policy by a hostile foreign power.
While the trawl for any trace
of the murder suspects continues,
Turner himself alerted us
to this person of interest.
As London CEO of Xanda Facial Rec,
Yan Wanglei has the motive
and the technical capability.
Now, given his status as a
high-profile Chinese national,
I need hardly tell you how
carefully we need to tread here.
Any arrest will constitute a
major international incident.
But make no mistake, we will arrest him
if that's where the evidence leads us.
We've reached out respectfully
to Mr Wanglei this morning,
and he's accepted our
invitation to be questioned.
Provided it takes place
at the Chinese Embassy
in the presence of Ambassador Xiaodong.
Anyone care to guess
the POI's current location?
Chinese Embassy?
Thank God you're here, Carey, finally.
Hmm.
Yes, he's tucked away at the embassy.
Let's take him up on his offer.
I'll pay the ambassador a visit.
If this came from Beijing, there's
reasonable grounds he's complicit.
I could come to the embassy
If it helps.
Do you speak Mandarin?
No.
A couple of words.
Then, why?
Well just
Isn't that a bit?
I think that's a good idea, DC Tan.
- Chloe.
- I'll need the support.
Agreed. Excuse me.
Rachel?
to China was like handing
a British radar contract
to Germany in 1939.
I've done my research, I found no
evidence of a link between Xanda
and the Chinese authorities.
As Britain's Security Minister,
I fully support the CRC's
Remote interview via webcam.
All the perps would need to do is
pipe in their feed to the BBC.
Any remote camera has the
potential to be hacked.
Interaction with the host, seamless.
You suspect her involvement?
Isn't it customary to
send the kids to bed
when the grown-ups are talking?
DCI Carey has the same right
to be here as any of us.
What are you saying exactly
Khadija Khan is complicit?
Or the avatar can respond to
her questions in real time?
Is it possible to create a
deepfake that sophisticated?
Hmm? Oh. Well we
haven't gotten there yet.
If anyone has, it's China.
I'd love to furnish you with
directions to their embassy.
Why use the front door when
you can hack the mainframe?
Oh, sorry, I can't help you there.
- Beg your pardon?
- Strict orders
from the executive branch.
The agency can no longer assist
in third-party counter-espionage
against the People's Republic of China.
- Why the hell not?!
- Because you
do too much business with them,
that's why! When we tell you
not to get into bed with Beijing,
you bury deeper into the sheets!
So, this is about money?
It's about security!
You know, we share a
lot of intel with the UK.
I'd like to know that
China isn't listening.
Message for you, Ma'am. Anthony
Reid asked that you contact him.
- Oh.
- He says it's urgent.
- Anthony Reid?
- Yes.
- The Anthony Reid?
- Yes.
- Who the fuck's that?
- Security correspondent for the BBC.
It can't be a coincidence.
Surely we need to investigate
there anyway?
I was hoping to keep this
away from the press
for as long as humanly possible.
Well, I'd like to stick around.
Give me a call when your country
learns how to pick a side.
Frank?!
Frank!
Look, if you need
technical help with the BBC,
I'll loan you one of my guys.
But if I find out you put
them on China, the deal's off.
Since when did Frank Napier
let politicians call the shots?
Since I found out they were watching me.
Ma'am?
Like thousands of visa
applicants around the globe,
Victoria Bello dreams of
living and working in the UK.
This landed in Rhys
Edwards' inbox yesterday.
care worker claims
her three-year-old son
is eligible for a British passport.
According to Victoria,
the child's father
is Britain's Security
Minister, Isaac Turner.
- Has this gone public?
- No trace of it online.
According to the message
frenzy that followed,
Turner seemed to think it was some
kind of blackmail attempt by Xanda.
I'd like to know why he
didn't mention that to us.
My thoughts exactly.
Ma'am?
Invite him in.
Under armed protection.
Same goes for his staff.
So, this is where the magic happens?
How did they get you?
Get me?
Rachel?
Rhys Edwards?
Commander Hart.
Ambassador. Thank you
for taking the time.
This is Detective Tan.
Pleased to meet you.
Please, our guest is waiting.
Seems a long time since you threw
one of your famous soirees, Ambassador.
Whatever happened to those?
Your country accused us of genocide.
Fair enough.
Edison Yao was a dissident
from Hong Kong.
About 36 hours ago, someone
came to his apartment
and put a bullet through his eye.
How is he now?
That's awful,
but would you mind explaining
what it has to do with me?
Mr Yao served on the
China Research Committee,
advising the Government on your
company's facial recognition bid.
24 hours later, security guard
Joseph Mwangi was shot in the neck
and a police detective
sergeant was shot in the chest.
Were they on the China
Research Committee?
We believe the intended target was.
A data scientist named Gregory Knox.
In each case, the bullet was
discharged from a QSZ-92 automatic.
A military-issue firearm
manufactured in mainland China.
No surprise to find products
in the UK made in China.
No, not when it comes to
technology. Computers
Metal, minerals, plastics.
Medical equipment.
But military-grade
weapons? That's rare.
China does not take
revenge on its dissidents
and hunt them down on the streets
of Britain. We are not Russia.
No-one mentioned revenge.
I forgot to congratulate you both.
Looks like the facial-rec
contract is going your way.
I'm curious.
Why do you think a minister known
for his stance against Chinese tech
ended up going with a Chinese company?
Do you realise what you're
implying, young lady?
DC Tan.
Just asking.
How very disappointing.
Once again, we find ourselves
the subject of baseless,
lurid allegations.
China, the bogeyman of the world.
We find it offensive.
Just as we find it offensive,
Commander Hart,
that you bring along a
colleague of Chinese descent
to appease your brazen prejudice.
I have another engagement.
Perhaps we could continue this
when you have something
more to go on besides bias?
I'm sorry to hear about
your detective sergeant.
You said he was shot, but
you didn't say if he survived.
No, I didn't.
Tom, I want a team car
watching the entrance 24/7.
I'll assign the eyeball.
How do you feel about
joining a surveillance unit?
Sir, apart from basic
undercover on the fast-track,
I don't have much experience.
Yeah, but you've seen the target
up close and personal.
Ops and monitoring.
We need verification.
Eyes on Yan Wanglei.
Sir.
About Nadia, Ma'am
DI Latif.
She's not actually going to
receive disciplinary action, is she?
Because she only breached the
safe house on my instruction.
If you have the spare time or the
bandwidth to feel guilty about it,
why don't you give her a call?
Better yet, send flowers.
In the meantime, I'd
appreciate your focus.
Yes, Ma'am.
So, how do you want to
play this, then, Ma'am?
Just listen and learn.
- Gem!
- Anthony!
Thank you for coming to us.
I've booked somewhere
we can't be overlooked.
I imagine you've seen the
Isaac Turner interview.
He's pro-Xanda now.
Yes. Pretty surprising U-turn,
even by this Government's standards.
Got us wondering if China
has something on Turner.
Until we chanced upon
a different theory.
Khadija complained about the
remote connection speed last night.
Nothing odd about that.
Khadija complains about
something most nights.
But when the engineers
tracked Turner's IP address,
they discovered something strange.
The signal wasn't coming from London.
Wasn't coming from the UK at all.
It was coming from China.
Care to share any insights?
You're right to bring
this to our attention.
I suggest we arrange a
discreet unit to investigate.
Rachel, with a member
of our technical team.
Provided you're willing to
share any findings with us.
We plan to run this as soon as possible.
- Run?
- The story.
- Is there one?
- We know that Isaac Turner
wasn't in China last night,
so clearly, we're looking at
some kind of foreign interference.
We're juggling theories, from
hacking to full-on deep fakes.
It is remarkable that Turner said
exactly what Xanda wanted him to.
Of all the stories on our radar
involving that particular minister,
I'd shelve this one if I were you.
Because?
Because the BBC needs to
maintain its reputation
as a trusted news source, not
a beacon of disinformation.
Yes, we've discussed this conundrum.
If we report it, we risk
undermining our credibility.
But if we don't and it gets
out, that would be worse.
Then let me spare you the dilemma.
Already, this raises
a number of concerns.
I'm sure I can count
on your cooperation.
Hold the story while we investigate.
Well, so long as you can enlighten us
on those concerns while we investigate.
I'm afraid I can't do that.
Well, then, I'm afraid I can't
allow you to sniff around our studio.
We'll come back with a warrant.
You've just alerted us to
a suspected cyber attack
by a foreign power. That makes
your studio a crime scene.
If we don't investigate,
it'll be dereliction of duty.
It'll leave you vulnerable
to further attacks.
You won't get your story anyway.
I don't know.
What with the IP address and the
tech correspondent's analysis,
I can see seven minutes
shaping up nicely.
You're leaving us with no alternative.
You can't broadcast it.
We'll slap a D-notice on it.
A D-notice to Khadija Khan?
Red rag, bull.
You'll have to do more than
that to bring her onside.
Come on, Gem, you know the deal.
If you're going to
use the nuclear option,
you've got to offer up a sweetener.
You mentioned other stories.
About the minister.
"Fearing for my safety and
the safety of my family,"
"I I decided to alter my position
on Xanda Facial Recognition."
This is how you want me to play it
that I was intimidated
into changing my mind?
You need an explanation
for your staff, your wife.
I don't lie to my wife.
Of course.
Thanks for coming in to see us,
Minister. Why don't you take a seat?
I appreciate you
keeping me updated, sir.
What can you give me?
You're looking into Xanda, right?
We are running multiple
lines of inquiry, of course.
And my team, you're talking to my team
Aliza Clark, Rhys Edwards?
They're helping us, yeah.
Have you heard from the Home
Office? I certainly haven't.
Might you be more comfortable
sitting down, Minister?
No, not really, Danny. I have been
cooped in a safe house all night.
We just need to ask you
a few questions, sir.
OK.
How how long have you
known Aliza Clark?
I was with Rhys and Isaac last night
I was with Rhys and Isaac last night
when we agreed to do
the Newsnight interview.
- Rhys went off to
- She's been with me since,
well, since I became
Security Minister. A year.
What do you know about her private life?
I'm not sure she has one.
I imagine there's a cat.
Hmm! What about Rhys Edwards?
I set up the interview, tried
to confirm it with Isaac,
couldn't get through. Honestly, I
don't know what else to tell you.
He's a decent spad.
He's public-school prat,
but I'm in government,
I'm surrounded by them.
Are you aware of any reason
either Clark or Edwards
could have been compromised?
Compromised?
Well, anything that may
have left them vulnerable
to bribery or blackmail.
Nothing in Westminster
would surprise me,
but, no, I'm not aware of anything. Why?
The cyberattacks on the BBC
were coordinated so meticulously
that it suggests the collusion of
one or more members of your team.
Aliza and Rhys?
Or indeed yourself, Minister.
I thought Huh!
I thought I was brought here for
an update. Am I under suspicion?
Well, with cases involving
foreign intervention,
it's not unusual to find that
victims have been coerced.
Blackmailed.
What can you tell us
about Victoria Bello?
Then you agree, it was the right move?
You planted the other story,
then let them think
finding it was their idea.
You got the result we needed, Ma'am.
The minister in charge
of Britain's borders has
a foreign lovechild trying to get in.
That story will come out sooner
or later, with or without our help.
I imagine so.
Have you been reading our emails?
Any information you could provide
us would be extremely helpful.
Er my office received
some bogus report
about a woman claiming I'm
the father of her child, but
- it's all lies.
- And you suspected China was behind it?
Yan Wanglei made some
veiled threat about spying.
"Everybody has something", he
said, but he's wrong, I don't.
You're saying that they made up the
lovechild story to blackmail you?
Or to defame me, discredit me.
China faked your announcement.
Why would they want to discredit you?
I-I don't know, Detective.
I'd really love to leave
the job of figuring out
exactly how and why
China fucked us to you,
so I can get on with
the job of figuring out
how the hell the Government's
meant to respond.
I assume I'm free to leave?
As long as you're accompanied
by protection officers.
Um, I'd just like to
ask one last question.
You didn't mention anything about
the lovechild allegation to us.
Why is that?
I wouldn't expect you to understand.
Look, I don't want something like this
getting traction, even false.
We can't have it out there.
I guess I'm in the right place.
I was hoping it would be you.
Rachel, Louie.
Frank told me to remind
you of the parameters.
Frank needs a fucking holiday.
That is the longest I've
been without my phone.
- Since?
- No, that was the end of my sentence.
So, what, how bad is it?
Er well, "Isaac U-turn"
is obviously trending.
There's no shortage of hate.
But until now, a lot of these people
didn't know who you were, so
Approval ratings down,
brand awareness up.
You know, it's this
level of incompetence
that reassures me neither
of you are involved.
What about the PM
any statement, or?
Nothing from Downing Street
or the Home Office.
Nothing?
Oh, wait, there's a voice
message from McKenzie.
Newsnight want you back on tonight.
What? What do you want to say, Aliza?
I think we'd all just
like to know what happened.
You have one new message
Fearing for my safety and
the safety of my family,
I decided to alter my position
on Xanda Facial Recognition.
I knew it. It's fair enough, Isaac.
What? You don't know.
You don't have kids.
Well, neither do you, unless you're
the one with the secret lovechild.
Sorry, fake secret lovechild.
That's the other thing,
they know about that, too.
They're not the only ones.
What did you have for breakfast, Isaac?
It was so long ago, I can't remember.
Thank you. Audio level's good.
Do you normally do test recordings?
Whenever we link up to a new
computer or a new location.
When his spad said that Isaac Turner
wanted to do a remote interview,
I assumed he meant from home.
But then Turner called
and said he was in London.
Isaac Turner called you himself?
Yes.
And how did he sound?
Like Isaac Turner.
- So, nothing unusual?
- No.
We sent him the link and he
jumped straight on this test.
He did get a bit
Christian Bale at one point.
Any chance you could raise your
laptop an inch for me, Isaac?
No, I'm pretty happy with the frame.
Yeah, well, we'd prefer
a bit more headroom.
Or we can cancel the interview.
He chose the framing.
Yeah. Diva.
Smart.
So, what can you tell
us, off the record?
Did China hack my programme, or what?
You can ask all you like,
Ed, you won't get any answers.
Khadija. Er this is Rachel.
Hmm.
Anthony told me you'd
be sniffing around.
Well, I'd appreciate a few minutes,
Miss Khan, when you can spare them.
You should've thought of that
before you took my story away.
We're working on a better one.
Yeah, we'll see.
She'll warm up, possibly.
You're running it, then,
the love child story?
Yeah. We need to verify it first.
Excuse me.
Tom.
Looks like there's good news
from the hospital.
I'm heading over there.
I asked you yesterday, was
there anything I should know.
There was nothing then,
there's nothing now.
- The BBC are asking for a comment.
- Tell them it's bullshit,
and if they run it, we'll
take a pickaxe to their budget.
Well, before we go that route, Isaac,
there is something we need to ask you.
Is it?
Bullshit?
It's a perfectly plausible story.
You were in Lagos four years ago.
Somebody's obviously
done their homework.
So have you, by the looks of it.
You manage to uncover why I was there?
No? I flew to Lagos
for my mother's funeral.
Good! Um not good.
I'm sorry for your loss.
It was four years ago, Rowan.
Would you be willing to
take a paternity test?
For God's sake, the man's just
told you he was burying his mother!
- An emotional time.
- What does that mean?
It means it's not impossible
that while you flew to Lagos
to bury your mother, you did also
at some point during that trip
bury something else.
Four years ago, we'd
just won the election.
Do you really think I'd
jeopardise my seat in Parliament
when I'd only just taken it?
- We all fuck up.
- That's where you're wrong.
- You don't fuck up?
- No.
So I'll just tell the
press that it can't be true,
because the amazing
Isaac Turner never fucks up!
Let me ask you something.
How many Cabinet ministers get
caught with their pants down
or their fingers in the expenses pot
only to bounce right
back, careers unscathed?
You see, it doesn't quite work
like that if you look like me.
If I'm dishonest or promiscuous,
I'm just confirming
everybody's worst suspicions.
So there's a reason my parents
told me to work twice as hard
and act twice as nice as
all the other kids in school.
I took their advice,
I'm still taking it now.
I treat my wife and
children with respect,
but I don't do it just for
their sake or because it makes me
a good Christian, despite
what everybody thinks.
I do it because no-one's going
to give me a second chance!
So, no, when it comes to
getting ahead in Westminster,
I don't fuck up.
I'll tell the BBC to bury the story.
Thank fuck for that.
Home Secretary, I'd like a word, alone.
High Dependency Unit,
which means his condition is
serious, but no longer critical.
He's in a medically induced coma,
but he will wake in due course.
Is he going to be all right?
Yeah.
Daddy's still sleeping, but
he's going to be all right.
- OK.
- Shall we go and see him?
Yeah.
Doctor? How long do you
think before he's conscious?
Well, each patient is
different, but, er
well, he could be awake in
the next couple of hours.
Thank you.
Tom is on the
High Dependency ward.
We're way ahead of you, Carey.
Ed, how's the feed check?
- Kilo Six, Kilo Three?
- Go ahead.
We're running camera checks via
Control, Kilo Three. All in order.
Understood.
Nice to see you smiling.
- Whatever.
- Hmm!
Need support to cover, Kilo Three?
I'm going to stay till Patrick wakes up.
I want to be here when
he IDs the shooter.
Understood.
Hi. I-I need a toy for
a two-year-old and a
nine-year-old.
What the fuck do you want?
What are you doing here?
What am I doing here?
It's a fucking hospital.
You're going to have to
forgive me, Home Secretary,
but I've never had to navigate
around Correction before.
I've no idea how it works.
But I was expecting to see a
statement from you or the PM.
Some reaction to my
highly-surprising announcement.
There's been nothing.
Well, it's sensitive whilst
the investigation's ongoing.
Oh, what, so, we're just supposed
to let the disinformation fester?
As long as we keep quiet,
everyone's going to assume
we're going with Xanda.
Beijing gets what it wants.
You know, you could
overrule my recommendation.
At least issue a statement,
say you're undecided
and introduce doubt.
Well, those options are
already being discussed.
- With who?
- The PM, of course.
You called a Cobra meeting?
We met in the park for an ice cream.
What difference does it make?
I'm talking to the PM.
Look, Rowan, given how
central I am to this crisis,
I strongly feel I should
be fully, actively involved
in the Government's response.
I think you deserve a
bloody good rest, mate.
I don't need a rest.
The UK is under attack.
Not only am I Security
Minister, I'm one of the targets!
And that's all the more reason for
you to maintain a healthy distance.
Go home, Isaac.
Be with your family.
All right?
Isaac?
Yes. Er call Newsnight and
tell them I've got an exclusive.
- Tonight?
- Yeah, tonight.
And, Rhys? This time, make
sure it's live in the studio.
OK, I'll get right on it.
Look at him. Hasn't he got a furry tail!
Ma'am. Are you still at the BBC?
Not far away.
Get back there.
Isaac Turner's just cut his
protection officers loose.
He's booked himself on Newsnight.
What did he say?
He's promised them a bombshell.
He's going to expose Correction.
No. You're going to stop him.
I'm on my way.
Any sign of the asset waking up,
he so much as stirs in
his sleep, radio me on Two.
Yes, Ma'am.
That's all he's prepared
to tell us upfront.
What if it's about the hack?
Well, Anthony gave the service his word,
but if it comes from Isaac Turner
Then that's on him.
Fucking tease!
I'm starting to like him!
Mr Turner!
Mr Turner, this is not the way!
- You can't just!
- Two minutes, Minister.
- I
- They kill people to protect it.
I saw you when you
briefed me on Correction.
You're you're not a
true believer, are you?
You need to be careful.
You need a plan.
If you want to expose this thing,
you can't just go on TV and say it.
I wasn't going to.
- I thought
- Who have they killed?
If you'd like to follow me, Minister?
Have you got a plan to expose it?
Minister?
Ma'am. It's under control.
- You stopped him?
- No.
You let him go on?
He's not going to talk about
Correction, he told me.
And you trust him?
Yes.
First #homework, then a
startling U-turn on China.
Now Security Minister Isaac Turner
is set to make headlines again.
Why was I not told about this?
Why wasn't I told about it?!
48 hours ago, some of you
might have struggled to name
the UK's Security Minister,
but a lot can happen in 48 hours,
as Isaac Turner can tell you.
Good evening, Khadija.
You contacted us before we went on air
with what you said would
be a revelatory statement.
Yes. Apologies, Khadija,
for the cloak and dagger.
I just wanted to make sure
I had a clear channel
for what I'm about to say.
Regarding yesterday's announcement,
I'd like to make a correction.
The fact is, I do not
support Xanda's bid
to supply facial rec
at Britain's borders.
You've changed your mind again?
Er I-I do not support their
bid, and I strongly recommend
the Government considers
options outside of China.
Yesterday, you said there was
nothing to fear from
the use of Chinese technology
- in UK infrastructure.
- I didn't come here to dwell on
what I did or didn't say.
- That was a direct quote.
- Well, nonetheless,
the issue of borders
Facial profiling is what makes us
the most effective security system.
- Oh, my God!
- No, no, no!
- You've got to be fucking joking
- But if, say,
Muslim men between
the ages of 17 and 35
were the most-likely demographic
to launch an attack on an airport
What's wrong with a system that?
I'd rather face the consequences
of appearing to change course
than face the prospect of
Xanda's facial rec at our borders.
Giving a firm with links to
the Chinese Communist Party
access to our surveillance
networks would constitute
Profiling, Xanda treats
it as a selling point.
A selling point?
Changed your mind?
I've always been concerned
about undue influence of
Did the Prime Minister
not back your report?
Putting together the CRC
Like any company with
an international cloud,
Xanda is in sync with the
growing number of governments
around the globe who have
no quarrel with the idea
I've reached my decision
to recommend to the Cabinet
that the facial-recognition contract
is awarded to a technology
company whose
Stop this broadcast! Cut it!
Ed, you need to terminate
this broadcast!
What? No! Fuck off!
The fact that Xanda's maths adds
up ought to be a source of comfort.
I'm sure the majority of
your viewers would agree.
- Fucking hell!
- Hello?
This is a national security issue!
Somebody needs to stop this broadcast!
Can someone get this woman
out of my fucking gallery?
- I'm trying.
- National security.
Somebody stop broadcast now!
- Give me an answer!
- It won't cut!
- It's not cutting!
- We're locked on Turner!
Racial profiling is what makes
Muslim men between the ages of
Xanda is in synch with
the growing number of
Wrap it up, Khadija. Cut it back!
- Khadija, wrap it up now.
- Minister, we have to move on.
Now, listening to that in
our Salford studio was
What the fuck?!
Oh.
Prime Minister.
- Ed?
- Twitter's blown up.
What?! Over the U-turn?
That's ludicrous!
Ma'am, you need to get down here.
- Why has my wife called seven times?
- Everybody, quiet!
This is a police matter!
Nobody is to leave this studio
until otherwise instructed.
I need you and you.
You contacted us before we went on air
with what you said would
be a revelatory statement.
- What's wrong with this?!
- Keep watching.
Regarding yesterday's announcement,
I'd like to make a correction.
You asked me if Xanda had
been tested for racial bias.
I'm afraid my answer
wasn't entirely accurate.
What is this? He didn't say that.
The truth is,
racial profiling is what makes Xanda
the most-effective security
system on the market.
- What?!
- We've been hacked!
This has been changed! Faked!
Corrected.
If, and I'm not saying this is the case,
but if, say, Muslim men
between the ages of 17 and 35
were the most-likely demographic
to launch an attack at an airport,
what's wrong with a system
that factors that in?
I-I-I-I-I would I would nev
- H-How?
- I don't know.
Minister, are you suggesting
the programme uses racial
bias deliberately?
- That's my voice!
- I'm not suggesting, I'm saying.
While most facial-recognition providers
see profiling as an AI flaw,
Xanda treats it as a selling point.
- A selling point?
- Yes.
Like any company
If you think you can slap a D-notice
on this, you can think again.
- I must ask you to sit down.
- Good luck with that!
You are a witness to a major
national security breach.
No shit!
First time.
Everyone here is a suspect
- Do not make me explain
- Furthermore, I must
choosing to interact with
other suspects at this time
may compromise
a counter-terror investigation!
Sorry, I'm going way above
anyone in here.
Khadija!
Maybe we should let her get on with it.
I told you, it is not that simple!
And I asked you if you had a plan!
Wait here.
Minister I can tell you
that to be completely clear,
you're advocating the use of
racial profiling at UK airports?
No, Khadija, to be completely clear,
I'm advocating the use of racial
profiling wherever it keeps us safe.
- Minister, we have to move on.
- I'm fucking finished.
Khadija?
Khadija!
You are not taking
this story away from me.
I'm calling the channel controller
and then I'm calling legal.
Fucking signal!
And how are you going to prove it?
I just saw myself hacked and
deep-faked with my own eyes!
And everybody else saw an interview,
just like every other night.
It will be your word
against everybody else's.
Not even your own
crew saw what happened!
You have no idea what you're up against.
If you're serious about
investigating it and exposing it
Hello?
You need to gather
evidence meticulously.
A wealth of it.
You need to prove it definitively
so no-one can deny it.
Hello?
Who is it?
And how do you suggest doing that?
Together.