Silk (2011–2014): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript
Aware that he has enemies in the firm Billy sets up Reader. He gets a friend in another chambers to offer Reader a better job and then threatens to expose him for being disloyal and 'jumping ship' unless he spies on Billy's opponents and reports their movements. Martha tells Reader that he is the father of her child and ,on learning that she will not have an abortion,he offers to support her. He is also extremely helpful to her in a misconduct hearing where an Asian policewoman is accused of racism against a black colleague by providing a tape with which Martha is able to persuade one of the judging panel that his own racism will be made known in the press unless the woman,whose remarks were joking and did not offend her colleague,is allowed to keep her job. She is however unsuccessful in securing bail for rent boy Nick,who is accused of murdering a judge.
I'm pregnant.
- Half your age?
- I know.
It won't end well.
He's got form, Niamh.
Trust me.
Billy... We're not sure how he fits in.
What are you saying, miss?
You want him out, Kate.
It's a bit bigger than a clerking issue.
Never underestimate what I know, John.
I want you to have a future.
I can't go back inside.
I know.
Did you win?
- What did you get?
- Do you want a lift or not?
- The rest of your aged debt.
- All of it?
Yes.
Thank you.
Pleasure.
Eh, can I just drop off a brief
and pick up some papers?
No.
- Ten minutes?
- No.
Five?
Ah, all right.
Oh!
- What was that?
- What?
With the porter.
- It was just charm.
- Is that what it's called?
The thing is with charm
is that it works,
but then there's the big question.
What's underneath it?
You all right?
- Noah.
- Kate.
- What's this?
- Return.
- From?
- Me.
- Oh, it's a Bailey!
- That all right?
I've got a robbery trial
starting at Southwark on the same day.
Have you checked
with Billy about this yet?
Billy was born in Southend.
You can think of it
as quite near Norfolk.
I don't understand.
There's not many black people
in East Anglia
and there's almost no Jews at all.
No. Billy? No way.
So ask yourself,
why else don't you get the work?
- Well, uh...
- You're 17 years core, Noah.
Now, I've checked with John,
he's fine with about the Bailey return.
Old Street on Monday?
I can offer you Noah Zeigler.
- What?
- He's doing Miss Brockman's return.
Can I call you back?
What, suddenly you don't come
through me any more?
That was some crappy solicitor
offering some crappy work,
but that could have been
anyone on the phone.
How do I look, John?
Do I want to look like an idiot?
I know everything or we'll die in here.
Sometimes you're not around.
Boys.
- Hello, sir.
- Sir.
- What?
- You never call me "sir".
What is this,
some kind of victim thing here?
Why would you say that?
Well, you're sounding
a little bit paranoid.
You mean I'm sounding
a little bit Jewish?
You are Jewish.
I'm just going to ask you this, okay?
What do you think of the Jews?
Second favourite race of all time.
Excuse me.
Hello?
Have you got any more details
of the victim?
Bloody hell! Okay. Thanks.
- Billy?
- Mark Draper.
- What about him?
- He's just been arrested.
It's not for cottaging this time, miss.
It's for murder.
- What do we know?
- Not much yet.
Why not?
Just arrested, miss.
Okay, well... I'll do the first
appearance in the morning.
Doesn't look good, you knocking
about the Magistrates Court
when you're applying for silk.
Well, you know what?
Looking good really doesn't matter.
- You're con's here, miss.
- What con?
- Have I got a con?
- Misconduct hearing,
you're listed 2:00 pm tomorrow,
Urquhart House.
A police officer?
I spend my life cross-examining
lying police officers.
- How is this a good idea?
- Asked for you, apparently.
- What sort of misconduct?
- It's a race thing, miss.
A racist police officer,
is that what you're giving me?
Great. Just gr...
Would you like to
come through to my room?
Send somebody proper for Mark Draper.
Scalextric. It's the best game
we had when we was kids.
But what always happened
was when you accelerated,
one of the cars went berserk
and flew off the first corner.
That is Martha right now.
She is that car.
Why?
What do you think, Jake? Hmm?
What do you think can happen
to make a Doris fly off the corners?
She's pregnant?
You do not know this, all right?
It is more than your life is worth.
So, she does the racist copper
because there's no chance of winning,
so she can sit down for four days.
We got to look after her, Jake,
these next few months.
We've got to keep her quiet.
But she cannot know
that we're doing that.
Did you say it?
Yes.
- It was directed at a colleague?
- Yes.
And it was in the middle of
a public order situation
on a Saturday afternoon?
I was in a van with other officers.
And PC Johnson.
And you called PC Johnson
a "lazy nigger".
Why would you say a thing like that?
He was slow in getting out of the van.
- So we're pleading guilty?
- I don't want to.
I don't feel guilty.
So what's the defence?
I've worked very, very hard
to get where I've got.
And I don't want to lose it all.
A racist who works hard
is still a racist.
What's the defence?
- Ready?
- Yeah.
Harry, can I call you back?
- Promised her half an hour.
- Half an hour of what?
I think the junior end
could do with some TLC.
Do you?
- Is that your idea, John?
- Yeah.
And since when do you have ideas?
All right, get on with your work.
He got all my aged debt in,
he's here all day, every day,
and he doesn't lie to you.
What Billy does is invisible.
He works solicitors.
He does things that we don't see
and probably don't even want to see.
He drinks and spends money.
And we all think because he's all out
there, drinking and spending money,
it must mean that
he is working on our behalf.
He's not.
He's drinking and spending money.
I don't know, Kate.
We're the grown-ups.
We employ him, not the other way round.
Come for a drink.
You know where we are.
It was a joke.
What kind of joke?
Police canteen in the 1970s
kind of joke?
It wasn't intended to be abusive.
First trial I ever did,
Marylebone Magistrates Court,
2 p.m., Friday the 15th of May, 1995.
Dangerous driving.
Smacked into a lamppost,
just missing a pram with a baby in it.
The defence was,
"I wasn't driving, it was my wife.
"And then she walked away,
"leaving the scene and me in the car,
in the front seat with my seatbelt on."
It was my first day in court
and I got six months.
Why are you telling me this?
Because it was the worst defence
I've ever run in my life,
until now.
Can you give me a moment?
- Where's Billy?
- Uh, I don't know.
You're asking me
to do a remand in the youth court?
- It's Miss Costello's rent boy.
- Yeah.
Silk interviews
are just around the corner,
Billy, what if someone sees me?
- Exactly.
- What?
Quite nice for
the client to meet you now
in case Miss Costello
isn't available to do the trial.
High-profile murder,
out at the Old Bailey,
around the time decisions about silk
are being made.
Why wouldn't she be available?
Well, you know, things happen.
Don't they, sir? You know how it goes.
What kind of high-profile?
Ah!
Sorry. Left these in here.
You don't smoke, do you?
- Uh, Mark Draper.
- Oh, you're doing that tomorrow?
- What are they saying?
- Not clear. I haven't got much.
He's vulnerable, Clive.
He's had a wretched life, this boy.
Well, this is a two-minute remand,
so the social work can wait
until he gets back to you.
Mark Draper is the reason
that I do this job.
He's had a terrible life
and it keeps getting worse.
And now it has just blown up.
And it is him who is on trial
when it should be all the people
who have abused him and let him down
and made his life
so completely hopeless.
He's a child
and children need looking after.
And I will not apologise for it.
You're not going to thank me
for covering for you
in the Youth Court for ?2.50?
I'm getting out of this police thing.
He needs me.
Okay, some advice.
Having a barrister at these tribunals
basically works against you.
Senior police officers
acting as judge and jury.
- Hmm?
- They're brought up
to distrust defence counsel.
So anything I do they'll hate me for,
and that rubs off on you.
What are you saying?
Represent yourself.
Plead guilty,
tell them how sorry you are,
throw yourself in their mercy.
- It's your best chance.
- The MET needs women.
The police station where I work
needs women.
You know what it's like.
I want you to fight for me, please.
You knew that score
on this kind of thing.
Racism on this level and you're out.
No questions, end of career.
- I saw you in court two years ago.
- Did you?
And I thought if I was ever
in trouble, that's who I'd want.
You haven't given me a defence to run,
so there is no point of me
being there, is there?
It was my way of sending racism up.
What do you mean?
To sound racist and mean the opposite.
What I said, it's saying,
"This is so racist it isn't."
It's undermining racism.
Okay. We can try running that.
But I have to be honest with you,
you've only the smallest hope
of winning.
Can we get PC Johnson
to corroborate what you're saying?
I don't know what he'd say.
Her police station,
find out about its background history
and anything ugly.
And anything there is
on the complainant officer.
Shouldn't their solicitors do that?
They get too much police work
and rocking the boat
isn't in their interest.
What's the matter, Nick?
You don't like police stations?
Clive.
- Great. What are you having?
- Red wine, please.
Hello, and a glass of red...
- Hello?
- Billy.
What's going on, Jake?
- He's with them.
- Okay.
- PS Sorby?
- He doesn't work at this police station.
- You sure?
- Who are you?
Martha Costello's pupil.
She's doing the Rachna Ali hearing.
Well, you go tell Miss Costello
that sending her boy to speak to
witnesses for the other side is not on.
Yeah, there's, um...
There's no property in a witness.
Don't get all law school with me, son.
Or?
Or I'll have you nicked
for wasting police time.
Hey.
- Sorby.
- What about him?
He's the only one in that van
that would have done that.
You wouldn't get anyone here
grassing her up.
What, you mean you'd protect a racist?
It's not as simple as that.
Why is Clive Reader doing
the Mark Draper murder case?
He's Martha Costello's client.
Ah, well, officially,
Miss Costello is not free.
- Unofficially, Billy said that...
- What did Billy say?
Um...
- Jake?
- What did Billy say?
Jake?
Hmm? No, nothing, miss.
- What did he say?
- He, uh, he said that...
you, uh...
needed a rest.
Don't you ever, ever say that again!
Hello, pupil mistress.
The complainant officer doesn't
work at that police station.
- Where are you off to?
- I'm going to Newham Youth Court.
I thought you were doing the police one.
2:00. I'm doing them both.
You angry about something?
I'm pregnant.
- Where's Martha?
- Doing another case for more money.
I brought you these.
- I don't smoke.
- But they're currency inside.
Well, what about bail?
The thing about me, Mark,
is that I'm always straight with people.
I'm afraid there's no point in applying,
you won't get it.
- She got me bail.
- That was cottaging.
This is an extremely
high-profile murder.
Are you a batty boy?
- What's your name?
- What's it to you?
I'm much, much too good
to be anywhere near a court like this,
so it's your lucky day
because I'm going to give you
some advice. Charge sheet.
If I hear, Benjamin Samways,
that my client is having
a bad time inside
because of his sexual orientation,
I shall personally make sure
that the whole world knows
that you're a nonce.
- What? I'm not a nonce.
- Oh, I thought you were.
Let's just check, shall we?
What are you doing?
- One question, um, this one here...
- No!
No?
Please.
Sorry. All sorted in here now.
Thank you.
May I have your bag, please?
Okay.
- I'm here now.
- Hello, Martha.
For Mark Draper.
- Well.
- Well, what?
- He's my client, I know his history.
- Mr. Reader.
I know Mark.
Bit embarrassing,
scrapping over a remand.
- You going to make a bail application?
- Yes.
You know the victim's a judge.
We believe that Mark Draper
should not be granted bail.
This is a vicious murder,
His Honour Judge Guthrie
was an enormously
well-respected member of the judiciary.
The Crown object to bail
on every ground.
The strongest objection
is that the seriousness of the offence
means there's a real likelihood
he'll abscond.
The seriousness of the offence
argument is basically lazy.
It's a catch-all fall-back
objection to bail.
It's serious, he'll run away.
And it relies on the bench
being too timid to look beyond it.
The defendant was on bail
for his last trial,
all the way through, and I know this,
because I was representing him.
He came to court every day,
always on time...
And really quite soon afterwards
he was arrested again.
At his trial, he was found not guilty.
So, I think what my friend
is actually saying
is that he was arrested quite soon
after something that he didn't do.
Were there conditions attached?
- Yes.
- What were they?
Residence and a curfew.
Did he keep to the curfew?
No.
Um...
- Dog case.
- Yes, sir.
How much will I get?
Half day summary trial...
Sixty quid.
Involving class examination
of expert witnesses?
One very expert witness.
Sixty-five.
Right.
- Can I borrow some money?
- Uh, sure. How much?
Fourteen... grand.
That bad, huh?
Do you want to go and get coffee?
I'll pay.
I've got stuff to do for Martha.
So, I'll help.
Um, Rachna Ali.
Look into the police station
she works out of.
- The history of it.
- Okay.
Bad luck.
Collin Guthrie.
I mean, can you believe it?
- Well, this... This is a very big deal.
- Did you appear in front of him?
Once or twice.
Total bastard, of course.
He was always quite nice to me.
Old Harrovian.
Look, I've got to go.
Oh, don't worry. I'll pop downstairs
and do the after-care.
- You were right about bail.
- Yeah.
Sometimes it's premature
to make a bail app
at a first appearance
when you don't know enough.
And there's a risk of disclosing
what you're thinking to the other side.
Did she do that?
I think you got away with it.
Oh, um...
It's up to you
who represents you at trial.
All right? Don't get pushed around
by the solicitor or anyone else.
It's crucial you get the barrister
that you want.
You know, the surprising thing
about murder trials is that
they are over very quickly.
And if it goes against you,
your life is over.
There you go, Keith.
Thank you.
So, go on, then.
Well, delivery of three
nothing returns,
you don't send your baby clerk to do it,
you ask for me personally.
Senior clerk to senior clerk,
cutting out the bullshit.
What's going on?
One of my boys has gone restless on me.
Why are you telling me?
Ah!
- What are you doing?
- Something for Martha.
- Why?
- What does that mean?
Martha will support Nick
at the tenancy meeting.
So?
So, it's a waste of time
doing any work for her.
If you want to impress anyone,
you're better off impressing Kate.
It's not about impressing anyone.
It's about interesting work.
You're right.
You can afford to relax anyway,
with your pedigree.
So, you're for the accused officer,
Miss Costello.
And you're for us, Mr. Roundtree.
Sorry, can I just...
Is that the right term,
"for us"?
How does that sound?
This is a closed hearing,
there's no one else here,
so we allow ourselves
a degree of informality.
You can sit down to address us.
I'm just a bit concerned
how my client might feel
when you call prosecuting counsel
"one of us".
It's not exactly what I said.
And it's presenting counsel,
not prosecuting counsel.
Justice has to be seen to be done
as well as done, doesn't it?
I think you can assume we know that.
Why don't you sit down?
We find that sitting down
lowers the temperature.
Fine. Good.
Could you excuse me a moment?
She's... pregnant.
That's why she's, um...
Overexcited?
Yeah.
Miss Costello,
would you like a glass of water?
Why would I want
a glass of water?
I'd just got out of the van
when she said it.
And how did it make you feel?
I can't tell you how shocked
I was to hear it. I mean...
That word, of all words,
and for a police officer.
You don't know the defendant.
No, not really.
You'd never met
before the day of this incident?
No.
And you don't know
the police officer
the words were directed at, PC Johnson.
No.
That's because you don't work
at the same police station.
I was on an a secondment.
So when you made the complaint,
you had no idea
about their relationship.
You're judging her solely
on what you heard her say.
I think the words speaks for themselves,
don't you?
Why did you say that?
Why not?
Because I will not be defined
by the fact that I'm pregnant.
It's the way you're behaving.
What do you mean?
It's...
It's not in the best interests
of our client
for you to fall out
with the three people trying her
in the first five minutes
of the hearing.
Which was exactly
what you were doing in there.
There's fearlessness
in standing up to people,
and then there's just pigheadedness.
I'm sorry but...
What?
Not many pupils would have the balls
to say something like that.
Martha, hi. Hi.
The police station, I found something.
You've worked with
the accused officer for a long time.
Since she started.
And how long have you been
at the police station she worked at?
Twenty years.
So you were there in 2001
when John Mogoger died in police custody
in one of your cells?
There was an enquiry
and no prosecutions.
Relevance, Miss Costello?
John Mogoger was black.
Yes, I can't see
how that helps your case.
We've got nothing to hide, sir.
You see, that's my point.
- What do you mean?
- And since John Mogoger,
race became the biggest single issue
at your police station.
Fair enough.
Anything that could be considered racist
was clamped down on.
- Yes.
- However trifling.
There's nothing remotely trifling
about what Rachna Ali said.
Exactly!
And yet none of the other officers
from her own station reported it.
So, what you're saying is that
what PS Ali said
could not, therefore, be racist?
Well, what I'm saying is...
It's complicated.
Very well. Point taken, Miss Costello.
Can we move on?
PC Johnson, the victim of
the racial abuse is not present,
and his statement can be read.
Uh, sorry, I...
I haven't agreed to this.
You don't dispute that your client
said what she's alleged to have said?
No.
Then what possible
difference does it make
whether the victim is here
in person or is read?
My memory from the last hearing
is that your client
didn't want PC Johnson to attend.
Can I have a moment, please?
You didn't tell me you
weren't planning to have him called.
As a lawyer,
I have to be allowed to look and see
that justice is being done.
You have to let me do this.
I have been instructed
to get PC Johnson to attend.
You want us to adjourn overnight
to get him here?
In the interest of justice, yes.
As long as it's not in the interest
of a defence fishing expedition.
Is that a question?
Because it's really not what I do,
talk about justice
and mean something else.
Very well.
Do you want me to go easy on him
because he's a black police officer?
About a year ago, there was a big fight
on one of the estates.
He was beaten up badly
and it might have been worse
if another unit hadn't arrived
so quickly.
It was a white-black gang fight.
The black gang members couldn't believe
that a black officer was arresting them
and not the white gang.
- He took it very hard.
- Yeah, I can see that he would.
It's difficult enough as it is
on the streets
being the non-white police officer...
What, without having the pressure of
giving evidence
at your misconduct hearing.
Sorry. Is that what you're saying?
- You were in the Youth Court today.
- How did you know that?
- We've been watching you.
- Why?
We can offer you heavier, classier work
all round, Mr. Reader.
- In a heavier, classier set.
- You're headhunting me?
Now, I'd want to block out
your year in advance.
Three months fraud, murder.
Five weeks summer holiday,
some sex, more fraud.
Sounds like a silk's practice.
Well, six of the last 12 judges
you've appeared in front of
are former members of chambers.
We got three out of three
last time around.
Your silk application
is unlikely to fail.
This is, uh, out of the blue.
Has to be.
When we find someone we want,
we move very quickly.
I need to know, sir.
I've done this before
and in this situation a barrister's
whole career is on the line
during the time it takes
to make his choice.
If a set he's thinking of leaving
find out, well, he's out the door.
If that happens, then you, sir,
don't want to be there
because of the bad smell.
Three words above all others
at the criminal bar.
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty.
You go into loyalty limbo
and you're risking everything.
- So, decide. Quick.
- I've got a pupil.
And she'll be compromised
if she doesn't move with you.
Which wouldn't be fair on someone
so important to your happiness.
You can bring Miss Cranitch with you.
We like her, too.
How do you know about Niamh?
Just doing my job properly.
How long have I got?
- You probably need a pee, don't you?
- What?
Go for a pee, wash your hands,
take a look in the mirror,
come back, give me your answer.
You know, one of the things we like
so much about you, Mr. Reader,
is your ability to think on your feet.
Niamh, Clive. Listen very carefully.
- I've got you a tenancy.
- Yeah, yeah.
No, no, no. Listen, listen.
With me, another set.
- Oh, God.
- But I need an answer now.
Well, I can't.
I would have to think about it.
I mean, for God's sake.
No, no, no, it has to be now.
The whole thing could just collapse.
Uh, meet me in five minutes.
- Where?
- Fountain Court.
Okay.
I need a bit longer.
One hour. I'm not moving.
Clive's just offered me a tenancy
somewhere else.
What, do you mean that he's...
He's leaving.
- What do you mean he's leaving?
- He's jumping ship.
- What, he wants you to go with him?
- Yeah.
Well...
It's...
God. What are you going to do?
But it would leave it wide open
for you here, wouldn't it?
Yeah, I guess so.
- In a way, you don't have a choice.
- Why not?
You'd be tainted if you stayed.
It's awful, but um...
When somebody jumps ship,
chambers never forgets.
You'll be like a memory of me.
I love Shoe Lane.
Believe me, I wouldn't even be thinking
about doing this, to go anywhere else,
but this is it.
Your father would be very happy.
This is the oldest, best criminal set
in London.
No argument.
Billy.
My dad was a clerk.
Lovely old Chancery set
in Lincoln's Inn.
He got me into clerking
when I left school.
Friend of a friend.
I...
Didn't know it at the time,
but my old man was ill.
Bowel cancer.
Came into chambers the afternoon
he died.
Just got on with it.
It's what he would have wanted.
And for an hour I felt more alone
than I've ever felt.
Then it was 5:00,
and you lot all came in from court.
And I watched you come in and I knew
that this is my family.
There's something you want
to tell me, sir?
You broke my heart.
It... It was...
You were going to say yes to him.
Am I finished, in chambers?
Tomorrow night we'll talk.
I'll come and find you and we'll talk.
Did you tell anyone?
Oh, Jesus Christ, Niamh. Who?
Nick?
A drink, Clive?
This isn't a good moment, I...
I've already been for a drink.
I think you should come for another.
- So, how long have you known?
- Couple of weeks.
- Fuck me, Martha.
- I did.
Oh, God.
Oh, God, no. I mean, that's...
Uh, when are you...
When are you going to...
- What?
- You know.
- What?
- What do you call it now?
- Termination.
- Yes.
Is money... I mean, do you want me to...
The private hospital that did my knee
was excellent.
I'm keeping the baby.
I just thought you should know.
It's your right as the father.
I don't want anything from you.
You're keeping it?
No, I mean, I just, I...
I just assumed with work
and how much it means...
You know, your...
I mean, your work is your life.
So, I just... I mean, I just presumed...
- It's gone.
- Sorry?
Your charm.
Hello?
Martha?
So, Nottingham.
Well, it only happened the once, Clive.
So, it'd have to be, wouldn't it?
- We were brilliant, weren't we?
- Sex or the trial?
Well...
As far as one-night-stands goes...
It feels like a good start
for him. Or her.
I mean, coming off the back
of that kind of triumph, really.
Sorry. I'm rambling and stupid. Um...
What I'm trying to say is
you can count on me, Martha.
Whatever you want by way of support
for this baby, you'll get it from me.
- Does Billy know?
- Yes.
Not who the father is.
I'm sure Billy thinks you're better
than me, in court.
Maybe he's right.
I'm good at this job, Martha.
I haven't come across any one
of our call who's better
but you've got that extra thing.
I can act it,
and I can get a jury to believe it.
But the real thing...
You can't match Martha Costello
for passion.
- Does he take sugar?
- What?
The real Clive Reader.
Yeah. One, please.
What's your police misconduct about?
I'm a fast-track woman
who says something unspeakable
to a colleague in public.
On balance of probabilities
post-Macpherson,
I'd say you might be in trouble.
- Hmm.
- Who's the panel?
Oh...
It's Superintendent Hague and...
- somebody Carothers?
- Alan Carothers?
Do you know him?
Yeah, for about three months
he read me my bedtime story.
What do you mean?
A tape. I'll get it for you,
you'll love it.
I never got to use it because they
offered no evidence against my client.
It was this Nigerian guy.
It was the most frustrating
"not guilty" I've ever had.
- When can you get it for me?
- I'll have to chase up the solicitor.
Tomorrow night?
The thing about misconduct hearings is
they make it all informal,
so that they can control everything
and get the result they want, you know.
Fewer rules, more discretion,
nobody gets off.
I've noticed.
Do I have to say it?
I'm afraid so.
She called me a lazy nigger.
Did she do or say anything else?
She...
She laughed.
- She laughed?
- Yes.
Do you want to be here today?
- No.
- Why not?
I don't like seeing a fellow officer
in the dock.
What, even one that called you
what she called you?
- Have you known the accused a long time?
- Five years.
Is it right that the accused
was incredibly supportive
when you were beaten up last year
by a gang of youths?
Yes.
Beyond what you'd expect
from a colleague?
Yes.
And the laughter,
that's not in your statement.
Maybe he didn't want
to make things worse for the accused.
What kind of laugh was it?
Was it callous? Mean?
No.
- Did you report what she said?
- No.
Why not? Is it because
you weren't offended by it?
How could he fail to be offended?
- Who reported it?
- Someone else.
So, not any of the others
from your police station?
- No.
- So, are they all tolerant of racism?
Would they let that kind of remark go?
- No, no. Of course not.
- Of course not.
Because this police station
is anti-racist.
This police station wants
to stamp out racism.
But this police station
didn't report this.
Why?
I want you to give evidence
because you're going to
lose the job you love if you don't!
There's something you're not saying,
isn't there?
I don't want to take him down with me.
Who? Johnson?
If you do it, I can save you.
Trust me.
Why did you say what you said
on that day in the police van?
- It was the same estate.
- As where?
He was beaten up a year ago
by a gang of youths.
- Badly?
- Three weeks in hospital.
So, when he found himself back there,
same estate, same sort of situation,
he didn't look happy
getting out of the van.
So, what did you do?
I made the biggest mistake of my life.
I tried to help him
by saying what I'd said
to make a joke, to give him confidence.
Why didn't you say anything of this
when the complaint
was first made against you?
You're never going to get these people
to understand it.
- I've said enough.
- Have you?
I think there's something
you haven't said.
- It was reciprocated.
- Go on.
- PC Johnson used to call me a name.
- What name?
- I'm not going to say.
- Why not?
It was in the same spirit.
No offence meant or taken.
But they're not going to see that,
are they?
What would be the point
in him losing his job, too?
You're protecting him.
If the accused won't say
what was said,
it's unlikely we'll believe it's true.
I want you to do this.
I think you care very deeply
about the police force
and what they could become.
It's now or never, Rachna.
Prince Harry.
He called somebody
"my little Paki friend".
PC Johnson picked it up
and he used to say it to me.
A two-way joke between us.
I'm sorry.
Why are you sorry?
Because I... I don't want him
to lose his career.
- Why not?
- Because he's not a racist.
Are you?
No.
Incriminating another officer
won't help your client, Miss Costello.
Here you are, miss.
- You are at the Crown.
- Thank you.
- Sir, you're at Hammersmith Mags.
- Thanks.
- Tape.
- Yeah.
Sir, Billy will be with you in a sec.
- What's all that about?
- Ah. It's just Billy stuff, you know.
Two things. First, the medal.
- How'd you know about that?
- You won't get this, Billy,
being a clerk and not a lawyer,
but it seems to me
that you're conspiring
to pervert the course of justice.
You wouldn't go with that.
Empty threat?
Now, what's the second thing?
New life.
You what?
I'm going to be a father.
Who's the...
It's... Well, it's changed me,
to be honest.
I want to give Martha stability.
You know, money,
shared responsibility. I mean, I...
I respect that woman so much.
And the last thing she needs
at this pivotal moment in her life
is the father of her child
being kicked out of chambers.
So, what do you want?
I want to stay.
And I don't want anyone
to know I tried to leave.
- And what are you going to give me?
- I will drop the move against you.
And Martha's baby will have
a caring, responsible father.
- I need more from you, sir.
- What?
Well, I can't give you any... more.
I think you can.
I want you on the inside of this coup,
working for me,
feeding me everything I need to know.
I want you to be my mole.
- How's the knee, sir?
- Oh, it's fine, it...
Does this hurt?
If you ever try this again,
I will finish you.
I will not let chambers break up,
do you understand me, sir?
Good boy. Sir.
- What's the matter?
- Oh.
No, it's stupid. Sorry.
What?
This baby, it's...
a huge thing, isn't it?
If you're not in court tomorrow,
will you do something for me?
Absolutely.
- Bright and early, Miss Costello.
- I need to talk to you.
Is that appropriate?
"Appropriate." Now, there's a word.
Excuse me.
What is this?
If they're Nigerian, nick 'em.
Just nick the bastards, 99 times
out of 100 something will stick.
The most dishonest people on Earth.
Germany win at football,
Italians run away
and every last blackie Lagos
is a scam merchant.
Remember?
This is no good to you.
This isn't evidence.
You can't even tell who it is
on the tape.
Which is why I'm not going to try.
- So, what are you going to do?
- Rules of natural justice.
I wanted you to hear first what
the Daily Mirror is about to receive.
- You wouldn't dare!
- Why don't you ask him
how far I'm prepared to go
to get a just result?
Sex?
- I've got a speech to make.
- Not a complete no, then.
It's 17 years since Stephen Lawrence
was murdered.
And 12 since the Macpherson report
labelled this organisation
institutionally racist.
See, I think we've reached a critical
point in the history of the MET.
And why?
Because Rachna Ali and PC Johnson
were trying to laugh at racism.
Lampooning racism isn't racism.
It's the strongest possible weapon
against it.
See, and their colleagues
at the police station understood that.
But when an outside officer heard
what he heard and complained about it,
they got frightened.
I mean, of course they did.
And they reverted to
knee-jerk correctness.
Regardless of meaning,
regardless of motive.
In line with policy,
in line with what people at the top
are saying.
People like you.
See, nobody will criticise you
if you keep using a big sledgehammer
to crack down on racism,
and, in fact, you'll probably
get applauded for it.
But it won't be fair on this woman.
It won't be just or morally right.
If you're brave enough
to find Rachna Ali not guilty,
you will be doing a huge service
to the police force
she has been so proud to represent.
You will be saying, "We are no longer
defined by a our racist history."
You will be saying,
"We are no longer afraid of our past."
Verdict in the morning. Thank you.
Please don't tell Noah
I said this.
He's under huge pressure at home
because four out of the five kids
are ill.
He wants to return the case
at the Bailey,
but doesn't feel he can
without letting chambers down.
He really should, though. I mean,
for the sake of his marriage, actually.
I'll deal with it.
Mr. Zeigler, sir.
Have you given any thought
to what we were talking about?
I believe in tipping points.
I think if Martha came over to us,
I mean, people saw that
she was moving against Billy.
She's got so much integrity, it would...
Billy, I need to talk to you now.
It would say everything we need to say.
The rest of chambers would follow.
You've taken me
off the Bailey case.
- This is unforgivable!
- I know, sir, I'm sorry.
Back to being opponents.
Don't take this the wrong way, um...
but if I was chambers
I'd take you ahead of me.
What would be the wrong way
to take a comment like that, Nick?
Well, you fit in.
Which you might not think is
completely a compliment but...
I mean, the bar is made for you.
Daddy the judge and all that.
- You've got a...
- What?
Oh, just a chip.
What?
You know, because of my father,
because of my background,
everybody thinks I'm going to make it,
which is bloody hard, actually.
If you were chambers,
who would you take?
Me.
We find the accused officer guilty.
But we have decided not to
dismiss the accused
or to ask her to resign.
She will be cautioned.
We're confident she can look forward to
a long and successful career.
Good morning.
Thank you.
So, you wouldn't have any objection
if I started talking to Martha?
Okay.
- She's going off to Martha.
- I want to know.
- Martha!
- We won. Yeah, we won it.
Fantastic. That's great news.
Oh, by the way, Kate's looking for you.
You need a good prosecution under
your belt before this interview.
Been a long time since
we were against each other.
Big kudos for us acting for both sides.
His face was just a mass of blood.
Did you intend to kill him?
It's just not me, prosecution.
- You actually hacked into his computer?
- Thousands unaccounted for.
You want me in your gang
when you kick Billy out of the door.
If I was prosecuting this case,
I'd cut a deal.
And if I was defending,
Tony Paddick would walk.
- Half your age?
- I know.
It won't end well.
He's got form, Niamh.
Trust me.
Billy... We're not sure how he fits in.
What are you saying, miss?
You want him out, Kate.
It's a bit bigger than a clerking issue.
Never underestimate what I know, John.
I want you to have a future.
I can't go back inside.
I know.
Did you win?
- What did you get?
- Do you want a lift or not?
- The rest of your aged debt.
- All of it?
Yes.
Thank you.
Pleasure.
Eh, can I just drop off a brief
and pick up some papers?
No.
- Ten minutes?
- No.
Five?
Ah, all right.
Oh!
- What was that?
- What?
With the porter.
- It was just charm.
- Is that what it's called?
The thing is with charm
is that it works,
but then there's the big question.
What's underneath it?
You all right?
- Noah.
- Kate.
- What's this?
- Return.
- From?
- Me.
- Oh, it's a Bailey!
- That all right?
I've got a robbery trial
starting at Southwark on the same day.
Have you checked
with Billy about this yet?
Billy was born in Southend.
You can think of it
as quite near Norfolk.
I don't understand.
There's not many black people
in East Anglia
and there's almost no Jews at all.
No. Billy? No way.
So ask yourself,
why else don't you get the work?
- Well, uh...
- You're 17 years core, Noah.
Now, I've checked with John,
he's fine with about the Bailey return.
Old Street on Monday?
I can offer you Noah Zeigler.
- What?
- He's doing Miss Brockman's return.
Can I call you back?
What, suddenly you don't come
through me any more?
That was some crappy solicitor
offering some crappy work,
but that could have been
anyone on the phone.
How do I look, John?
Do I want to look like an idiot?
I know everything or we'll die in here.
Sometimes you're not around.
Boys.
- Hello, sir.
- Sir.
- What?
- You never call me "sir".
What is this,
some kind of victim thing here?
Why would you say that?
Well, you're sounding
a little bit paranoid.
You mean I'm sounding
a little bit Jewish?
You are Jewish.
I'm just going to ask you this, okay?
What do you think of the Jews?
Second favourite race of all time.
Excuse me.
Hello?
Have you got any more details
of the victim?
Bloody hell! Okay. Thanks.
- Billy?
- Mark Draper.
- What about him?
- He's just been arrested.
It's not for cottaging this time, miss.
It's for murder.
- What do we know?
- Not much yet.
Why not?
Just arrested, miss.
Okay, well... I'll do the first
appearance in the morning.
Doesn't look good, you knocking
about the Magistrates Court
when you're applying for silk.
Well, you know what?
Looking good really doesn't matter.
- You're con's here, miss.
- What con?
- Have I got a con?
- Misconduct hearing,
you're listed 2:00 pm tomorrow,
Urquhart House.
A police officer?
I spend my life cross-examining
lying police officers.
- How is this a good idea?
- Asked for you, apparently.
- What sort of misconduct?
- It's a race thing, miss.
A racist police officer,
is that what you're giving me?
Great. Just gr...
Would you like to
come through to my room?
Send somebody proper for Mark Draper.
Scalextric. It's the best game
we had when we was kids.
But what always happened
was when you accelerated,
one of the cars went berserk
and flew off the first corner.
That is Martha right now.
She is that car.
Why?
What do you think, Jake? Hmm?
What do you think can happen
to make a Doris fly off the corners?
She's pregnant?
You do not know this, all right?
It is more than your life is worth.
So, she does the racist copper
because there's no chance of winning,
so she can sit down for four days.
We got to look after her, Jake,
these next few months.
We've got to keep her quiet.
But she cannot know
that we're doing that.
Did you say it?
Yes.
- It was directed at a colleague?
- Yes.
And it was in the middle of
a public order situation
on a Saturday afternoon?
I was in a van with other officers.
And PC Johnson.
And you called PC Johnson
a "lazy nigger".
Why would you say a thing like that?
He was slow in getting out of the van.
- So we're pleading guilty?
- I don't want to.
I don't feel guilty.
So what's the defence?
I've worked very, very hard
to get where I've got.
And I don't want to lose it all.
A racist who works hard
is still a racist.
What's the defence?
- Ready?
- Yeah.
Harry, can I call you back?
- Promised her half an hour.
- Half an hour of what?
I think the junior end
could do with some TLC.
Do you?
- Is that your idea, John?
- Yeah.
And since when do you have ideas?
All right, get on with your work.
He got all my aged debt in,
he's here all day, every day,
and he doesn't lie to you.
What Billy does is invisible.
He works solicitors.
He does things that we don't see
and probably don't even want to see.
He drinks and spends money.
And we all think because he's all out
there, drinking and spending money,
it must mean that
he is working on our behalf.
He's not.
He's drinking and spending money.
I don't know, Kate.
We're the grown-ups.
We employ him, not the other way round.
Come for a drink.
You know where we are.
It was a joke.
What kind of joke?
Police canteen in the 1970s
kind of joke?
It wasn't intended to be abusive.
First trial I ever did,
Marylebone Magistrates Court,
2 p.m., Friday the 15th of May, 1995.
Dangerous driving.
Smacked into a lamppost,
just missing a pram with a baby in it.
The defence was,
"I wasn't driving, it was my wife.
"And then she walked away,
"leaving the scene and me in the car,
in the front seat with my seatbelt on."
It was my first day in court
and I got six months.
Why are you telling me this?
Because it was the worst defence
I've ever run in my life,
until now.
Can you give me a moment?
- Where's Billy?
- Uh, I don't know.
You're asking me
to do a remand in the youth court?
- It's Miss Costello's rent boy.
- Yeah.
Silk interviews
are just around the corner,
Billy, what if someone sees me?
- Exactly.
- What?
Quite nice for
the client to meet you now
in case Miss Costello
isn't available to do the trial.
High-profile murder,
out at the Old Bailey,
around the time decisions about silk
are being made.
Why wouldn't she be available?
Well, you know, things happen.
Don't they, sir? You know how it goes.
What kind of high-profile?
Ah!
Sorry. Left these in here.
You don't smoke, do you?
- Uh, Mark Draper.
- Oh, you're doing that tomorrow?
- What are they saying?
- Not clear. I haven't got much.
He's vulnerable, Clive.
He's had a wretched life, this boy.
Well, this is a two-minute remand,
so the social work can wait
until he gets back to you.
Mark Draper is the reason
that I do this job.
He's had a terrible life
and it keeps getting worse.
And now it has just blown up.
And it is him who is on trial
when it should be all the people
who have abused him and let him down
and made his life
so completely hopeless.
He's a child
and children need looking after.
And I will not apologise for it.
You're not going to thank me
for covering for you
in the Youth Court for ?2.50?
I'm getting out of this police thing.
He needs me.
Okay, some advice.
Having a barrister at these tribunals
basically works against you.
Senior police officers
acting as judge and jury.
- Hmm?
- They're brought up
to distrust defence counsel.
So anything I do they'll hate me for,
and that rubs off on you.
What are you saying?
Represent yourself.
Plead guilty,
tell them how sorry you are,
throw yourself in their mercy.
- It's your best chance.
- The MET needs women.
The police station where I work
needs women.
You know what it's like.
I want you to fight for me, please.
You knew that score
on this kind of thing.
Racism on this level and you're out.
No questions, end of career.
- I saw you in court two years ago.
- Did you?
And I thought if I was ever
in trouble, that's who I'd want.
You haven't given me a defence to run,
so there is no point of me
being there, is there?
It was my way of sending racism up.
What do you mean?
To sound racist and mean the opposite.
What I said, it's saying,
"This is so racist it isn't."
It's undermining racism.
Okay. We can try running that.
But I have to be honest with you,
you've only the smallest hope
of winning.
Can we get PC Johnson
to corroborate what you're saying?
I don't know what he'd say.
Her police station,
find out about its background history
and anything ugly.
And anything there is
on the complainant officer.
Shouldn't their solicitors do that?
They get too much police work
and rocking the boat
isn't in their interest.
What's the matter, Nick?
You don't like police stations?
Clive.
- Great. What are you having?
- Red wine, please.
Hello, and a glass of red...
- Hello?
- Billy.
What's going on, Jake?
- He's with them.
- Okay.
- PS Sorby?
- He doesn't work at this police station.
- You sure?
- Who are you?
Martha Costello's pupil.
She's doing the Rachna Ali hearing.
Well, you go tell Miss Costello
that sending her boy to speak to
witnesses for the other side is not on.
Yeah, there's, um...
There's no property in a witness.
Don't get all law school with me, son.
Or?
Or I'll have you nicked
for wasting police time.
Hey.
- Sorby.
- What about him?
He's the only one in that van
that would have done that.
You wouldn't get anyone here
grassing her up.
What, you mean you'd protect a racist?
It's not as simple as that.
Why is Clive Reader doing
the Mark Draper murder case?
He's Martha Costello's client.
Ah, well, officially,
Miss Costello is not free.
- Unofficially, Billy said that...
- What did Billy say?
Um...
- Jake?
- What did Billy say?
Jake?
Hmm? No, nothing, miss.
- What did he say?
- He, uh, he said that...
you, uh...
needed a rest.
Don't you ever, ever say that again!
Hello, pupil mistress.
The complainant officer doesn't
work at that police station.
- Where are you off to?
- I'm going to Newham Youth Court.
I thought you were doing the police one.
2:00. I'm doing them both.
You angry about something?
I'm pregnant.
- Where's Martha?
- Doing another case for more money.
I brought you these.
- I don't smoke.
- But they're currency inside.
Well, what about bail?
The thing about me, Mark,
is that I'm always straight with people.
I'm afraid there's no point in applying,
you won't get it.
- She got me bail.
- That was cottaging.
This is an extremely
high-profile murder.
Are you a batty boy?
- What's your name?
- What's it to you?
I'm much, much too good
to be anywhere near a court like this,
so it's your lucky day
because I'm going to give you
some advice. Charge sheet.
If I hear, Benjamin Samways,
that my client is having
a bad time inside
because of his sexual orientation,
I shall personally make sure
that the whole world knows
that you're a nonce.
- What? I'm not a nonce.
- Oh, I thought you were.
Let's just check, shall we?
What are you doing?
- One question, um, this one here...
- No!
No?
Please.
Sorry. All sorted in here now.
Thank you.
May I have your bag, please?
Okay.
- I'm here now.
- Hello, Martha.
For Mark Draper.
- Well.
- Well, what?
- He's my client, I know his history.
- Mr. Reader.
I know Mark.
Bit embarrassing,
scrapping over a remand.
- You going to make a bail application?
- Yes.
You know the victim's a judge.
We believe that Mark Draper
should not be granted bail.
This is a vicious murder,
His Honour Judge Guthrie
was an enormously
well-respected member of the judiciary.
The Crown object to bail
on every ground.
The strongest objection
is that the seriousness of the offence
means there's a real likelihood
he'll abscond.
The seriousness of the offence
argument is basically lazy.
It's a catch-all fall-back
objection to bail.
It's serious, he'll run away.
And it relies on the bench
being too timid to look beyond it.
The defendant was on bail
for his last trial,
all the way through, and I know this,
because I was representing him.
He came to court every day,
always on time...
And really quite soon afterwards
he was arrested again.
At his trial, he was found not guilty.
So, I think what my friend
is actually saying
is that he was arrested quite soon
after something that he didn't do.
Were there conditions attached?
- Yes.
- What were they?
Residence and a curfew.
Did he keep to the curfew?
No.
Um...
- Dog case.
- Yes, sir.
How much will I get?
Half day summary trial...
Sixty quid.
Involving class examination
of expert witnesses?
One very expert witness.
Sixty-five.
Right.
- Can I borrow some money?
- Uh, sure. How much?
Fourteen... grand.
That bad, huh?
Do you want to go and get coffee?
I'll pay.
I've got stuff to do for Martha.
So, I'll help.
Um, Rachna Ali.
Look into the police station
she works out of.
- The history of it.
- Okay.
Bad luck.
Collin Guthrie.
I mean, can you believe it?
- Well, this... This is a very big deal.
- Did you appear in front of him?
Once or twice.
Total bastard, of course.
He was always quite nice to me.
Old Harrovian.
Look, I've got to go.
Oh, don't worry. I'll pop downstairs
and do the after-care.
- You were right about bail.
- Yeah.
Sometimes it's premature
to make a bail app
at a first appearance
when you don't know enough.
And there's a risk of disclosing
what you're thinking to the other side.
Did she do that?
I think you got away with it.
Oh, um...
It's up to you
who represents you at trial.
All right? Don't get pushed around
by the solicitor or anyone else.
It's crucial you get the barrister
that you want.
You know, the surprising thing
about murder trials is that
they are over very quickly.
And if it goes against you,
your life is over.
There you go, Keith.
Thank you.
So, go on, then.
Well, delivery of three
nothing returns,
you don't send your baby clerk to do it,
you ask for me personally.
Senior clerk to senior clerk,
cutting out the bullshit.
What's going on?
One of my boys has gone restless on me.
Why are you telling me?
Ah!
- What are you doing?
- Something for Martha.
- Why?
- What does that mean?
Martha will support Nick
at the tenancy meeting.
So?
So, it's a waste of time
doing any work for her.
If you want to impress anyone,
you're better off impressing Kate.
It's not about impressing anyone.
It's about interesting work.
You're right.
You can afford to relax anyway,
with your pedigree.
So, you're for the accused officer,
Miss Costello.
And you're for us, Mr. Roundtree.
Sorry, can I just...
Is that the right term,
"for us"?
How does that sound?
This is a closed hearing,
there's no one else here,
so we allow ourselves
a degree of informality.
You can sit down to address us.
I'm just a bit concerned
how my client might feel
when you call prosecuting counsel
"one of us".
It's not exactly what I said.
And it's presenting counsel,
not prosecuting counsel.
Justice has to be seen to be done
as well as done, doesn't it?
I think you can assume we know that.
Why don't you sit down?
We find that sitting down
lowers the temperature.
Fine. Good.
Could you excuse me a moment?
She's... pregnant.
That's why she's, um...
Overexcited?
Yeah.
Miss Costello,
would you like a glass of water?
Why would I want
a glass of water?
I'd just got out of the van
when she said it.
And how did it make you feel?
I can't tell you how shocked
I was to hear it. I mean...
That word, of all words,
and for a police officer.
You don't know the defendant.
No, not really.
You'd never met
before the day of this incident?
No.
And you don't know
the police officer
the words were directed at, PC Johnson.
No.
That's because you don't work
at the same police station.
I was on an a secondment.
So when you made the complaint,
you had no idea
about their relationship.
You're judging her solely
on what you heard her say.
I think the words speaks for themselves,
don't you?
Why did you say that?
Why not?
Because I will not be defined
by the fact that I'm pregnant.
It's the way you're behaving.
What do you mean?
It's...
It's not in the best interests
of our client
for you to fall out
with the three people trying her
in the first five minutes
of the hearing.
Which was exactly
what you were doing in there.
There's fearlessness
in standing up to people,
and then there's just pigheadedness.
I'm sorry but...
What?
Not many pupils would have the balls
to say something like that.
Martha, hi. Hi.
The police station, I found something.
You've worked with
the accused officer for a long time.
Since she started.
And how long have you been
at the police station she worked at?
Twenty years.
So you were there in 2001
when John Mogoger died in police custody
in one of your cells?
There was an enquiry
and no prosecutions.
Relevance, Miss Costello?
John Mogoger was black.
Yes, I can't see
how that helps your case.
We've got nothing to hide, sir.
You see, that's my point.
- What do you mean?
- And since John Mogoger,
race became the biggest single issue
at your police station.
Fair enough.
Anything that could be considered racist
was clamped down on.
- Yes.
- However trifling.
There's nothing remotely trifling
about what Rachna Ali said.
Exactly!
And yet none of the other officers
from her own station reported it.
So, what you're saying is that
what PS Ali said
could not, therefore, be racist?
Well, what I'm saying is...
It's complicated.
Very well. Point taken, Miss Costello.
Can we move on?
PC Johnson, the victim of
the racial abuse is not present,
and his statement can be read.
Uh, sorry, I...
I haven't agreed to this.
You don't dispute that your client
said what she's alleged to have said?
No.
Then what possible
difference does it make
whether the victim is here
in person or is read?
My memory from the last hearing
is that your client
didn't want PC Johnson to attend.
Can I have a moment, please?
You didn't tell me you
weren't planning to have him called.
As a lawyer,
I have to be allowed to look and see
that justice is being done.
You have to let me do this.
I have been instructed
to get PC Johnson to attend.
You want us to adjourn overnight
to get him here?
In the interest of justice, yes.
As long as it's not in the interest
of a defence fishing expedition.
Is that a question?
Because it's really not what I do,
talk about justice
and mean something else.
Very well.
Do you want me to go easy on him
because he's a black police officer?
About a year ago, there was a big fight
on one of the estates.
He was beaten up badly
and it might have been worse
if another unit hadn't arrived
so quickly.
It was a white-black gang fight.
The black gang members couldn't believe
that a black officer was arresting them
and not the white gang.
- He took it very hard.
- Yeah, I can see that he would.
It's difficult enough as it is
on the streets
being the non-white police officer...
What, without having the pressure of
giving evidence
at your misconduct hearing.
Sorry. Is that what you're saying?
- You were in the Youth Court today.
- How did you know that?
- We've been watching you.
- Why?
We can offer you heavier, classier work
all round, Mr. Reader.
- In a heavier, classier set.
- You're headhunting me?
Now, I'd want to block out
your year in advance.
Three months fraud, murder.
Five weeks summer holiday,
some sex, more fraud.
Sounds like a silk's practice.
Well, six of the last 12 judges
you've appeared in front of
are former members of chambers.
We got three out of three
last time around.
Your silk application
is unlikely to fail.
This is, uh, out of the blue.
Has to be.
When we find someone we want,
we move very quickly.
I need to know, sir.
I've done this before
and in this situation a barrister's
whole career is on the line
during the time it takes
to make his choice.
If a set he's thinking of leaving
find out, well, he's out the door.
If that happens, then you, sir,
don't want to be there
because of the bad smell.
Three words above all others
at the criminal bar.
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty.
You go into loyalty limbo
and you're risking everything.
- So, decide. Quick.
- I've got a pupil.
And she'll be compromised
if she doesn't move with you.
Which wouldn't be fair on someone
so important to your happiness.
You can bring Miss Cranitch with you.
We like her, too.
How do you know about Niamh?
Just doing my job properly.
How long have I got?
- You probably need a pee, don't you?
- What?
Go for a pee, wash your hands,
take a look in the mirror,
come back, give me your answer.
You know, one of the things we like
so much about you, Mr. Reader,
is your ability to think on your feet.
Niamh, Clive. Listen very carefully.
- I've got you a tenancy.
- Yeah, yeah.
No, no, no. Listen, listen.
With me, another set.
- Oh, God.
- But I need an answer now.
Well, I can't.
I would have to think about it.
I mean, for God's sake.
No, no, no, it has to be now.
The whole thing could just collapse.
Uh, meet me in five minutes.
- Where?
- Fountain Court.
Okay.
I need a bit longer.
One hour. I'm not moving.
Clive's just offered me a tenancy
somewhere else.
What, do you mean that he's...
He's leaving.
- What do you mean he's leaving?
- He's jumping ship.
- What, he wants you to go with him?
- Yeah.
Well...
It's...
God. What are you going to do?
But it would leave it wide open
for you here, wouldn't it?
Yeah, I guess so.
- In a way, you don't have a choice.
- Why not?
You'd be tainted if you stayed.
It's awful, but um...
When somebody jumps ship,
chambers never forgets.
You'll be like a memory of me.
I love Shoe Lane.
Believe me, I wouldn't even be thinking
about doing this, to go anywhere else,
but this is it.
Your father would be very happy.
This is the oldest, best criminal set
in London.
No argument.
Billy.
My dad was a clerk.
Lovely old Chancery set
in Lincoln's Inn.
He got me into clerking
when I left school.
Friend of a friend.
I...
Didn't know it at the time,
but my old man was ill.
Bowel cancer.
Came into chambers the afternoon
he died.
Just got on with it.
It's what he would have wanted.
And for an hour I felt more alone
than I've ever felt.
Then it was 5:00,
and you lot all came in from court.
And I watched you come in and I knew
that this is my family.
There's something you want
to tell me, sir?
You broke my heart.
It... It was...
You were going to say yes to him.
Am I finished, in chambers?
Tomorrow night we'll talk.
I'll come and find you and we'll talk.
Did you tell anyone?
Oh, Jesus Christ, Niamh. Who?
Nick?
A drink, Clive?
This isn't a good moment, I...
I've already been for a drink.
I think you should come for another.
- So, how long have you known?
- Couple of weeks.
- Fuck me, Martha.
- I did.
Oh, God.
Oh, God, no. I mean, that's...
Uh, when are you...
When are you going to...
- What?
- You know.
- What?
- What do you call it now?
- Termination.
- Yes.
Is money... I mean, do you want me to...
The private hospital that did my knee
was excellent.
I'm keeping the baby.
I just thought you should know.
It's your right as the father.
I don't want anything from you.
You're keeping it?
No, I mean, I just, I...
I just assumed with work
and how much it means...
You know, your...
I mean, your work is your life.
So, I just... I mean, I just presumed...
- It's gone.
- Sorry?
Your charm.
Hello?
Martha?
So, Nottingham.
Well, it only happened the once, Clive.
So, it'd have to be, wouldn't it?
- We were brilliant, weren't we?
- Sex or the trial?
Well...
As far as one-night-stands goes...
It feels like a good start
for him. Or her.
I mean, coming off the back
of that kind of triumph, really.
Sorry. I'm rambling and stupid. Um...
What I'm trying to say is
you can count on me, Martha.
Whatever you want by way of support
for this baby, you'll get it from me.
- Does Billy know?
- Yes.
Not who the father is.
I'm sure Billy thinks you're better
than me, in court.
Maybe he's right.
I'm good at this job, Martha.
I haven't come across any one
of our call who's better
but you've got that extra thing.
I can act it,
and I can get a jury to believe it.
But the real thing...
You can't match Martha Costello
for passion.
- Does he take sugar?
- What?
The real Clive Reader.
Yeah. One, please.
What's your police misconduct about?
I'm a fast-track woman
who says something unspeakable
to a colleague in public.
On balance of probabilities
post-Macpherson,
I'd say you might be in trouble.
- Hmm.
- Who's the panel?
Oh...
It's Superintendent Hague and...
- somebody Carothers?
- Alan Carothers?
Do you know him?
Yeah, for about three months
he read me my bedtime story.
What do you mean?
A tape. I'll get it for you,
you'll love it.
I never got to use it because they
offered no evidence against my client.
It was this Nigerian guy.
It was the most frustrating
"not guilty" I've ever had.
- When can you get it for me?
- I'll have to chase up the solicitor.
Tomorrow night?
The thing about misconduct hearings is
they make it all informal,
so that they can control everything
and get the result they want, you know.
Fewer rules, more discretion,
nobody gets off.
I've noticed.
Do I have to say it?
I'm afraid so.
She called me a lazy nigger.
Did she do or say anything else?
She...
She laughed.
- She laughed?
- Yes.
Do you want to be here today?
- No.
- Why not?
I don't like seeing a fellow officer
in the dock.
What, even one that called you
what she called you?
- Have you known the accused a long time?
- Five years.
Is it right that the accused
was incredibly supportive
when you were beaten up last year
by a gang of youths?
Yes.
Beyond what you'd expect
from a colleague?
Yes.
And the laughter,
that's not in your statement.
Maybe he didn't want
to make things worse for the accused.
What kind of laugh was it?
Was it callous? Mean?
No.
- Did you report what she said?
- No.
Why not? Is it because
you weren't offended by it?
How could he fail to be offended?
- Who reported it?
- Someone else.
So, not any of the others
from your police station?
- No.
- So, are they all tolerant of racism?
Would they let that kind of remark go?
- No, no. Of course not.
- Of course not.
Because this police station
is anti-racist.
This police station wants
to stamp out racism.
But this police station
didn't report this.
Why?
I want you to give evidence
because you're going to
lose the job you love if you don't!
There's something you're not saying,
isn't there?
I don't want to take him down with me.
Who? Johnson?
If you do it, I can save you.
Trust me.
Why did you say what you said
on that day in the police van?
- It was the same estate.
- As where?
He was beaten up a year ago
by a gang of youths.
- Badly?
- Three weeks in hospital.
So, when he found himself back there,
same estate, same sort of situation,
he didn't look happy
getting out of the van.
So, what did you do?
I made the biggest mistake of my life.
I tried to help him
by saying what I'd said
to make a joke, to give him confidence.
Why didn't you say anything of this
when the complaint
was first made against you?
You're never going to get these people
to understand it.
- I've said enough.
- Have you?
I think there's something
you haven't said.
- It was reciprocated.
- Go on.
- PC Johnson used to call me a name.
- What name?
- I'm not going to say.
- Why not?
It was in the same spirit.
No offence meant or taken.
But they're not going to see that,
are they?
What would be the point
in him losing his job, too?
You're protecting him.
If the accused won't say
what was said,
it's unlikely we'll believe it's true.
I want you to do this.
I think you care very deeply
about the police force
and what they could become.
It's now or never, Rachna.
Prince Harry.
He called somebody
"my little Paki friend".
PC Johnson picked it up
and he used to say it to me.
A two-way joke between us.
I'm sorry.
Why are you sorry?
Because I... I don't want him
to lose his career.
- Why not?
- Because he's not a racist.
Are you?
No.
Incriminating another officer
won't help your client, Miss Costello.
Here you are, miss.
- You are at the Crown.
- Thank you.
- Sir, you're at Hammersmith Mags.
- Thanks.
- Tape.
- Yeah.
Sir, Billy will be with you in a sec.
- What's all that about?
- Ah. It's just Billy stuff, you know.
Two things. First, the medal.
- How'd you know about that?
- You won't get this, Billy,
being a clerk and not a lawyer,
but it seems to me
that you're conspiring
to pervert the course of justice.
You wouldn't go with that.
Empty threat?
Now, what's the second thing?
New life.
You what?
I'm going to be a father.
Who's the...
It's... Well, it's changed me,
to be honest.
I want to give Martha stability.
You know, money,
shared responsibility. I mean, I...
I respect that woman so much.
And the last thing she needs
at this pivotal moment in her life
is the father of her child
being kicked out of chambers.
So, what do you want?
I want to stay.
And I don't want anyone
to know I tried to leave.
- And what are you going to give me?
- I will drop the move against you.
And Martha's baby will have
a caring, responsible father.
- I need more from you, sir.
- What?
Well, I can't give you any... more.
I think you can.
I want you on the inside of this coup,
working for me,
feeding me everything I need to know.
I want you to be my mole.
- How's the knee, sir?
- Oh, it's fine, it...
Does this hurt?
If you ever try this again,
I will finish you.
I will not let chambers break up,
do you understand me, sir?
Good boy. Sir.
- What's the matter?
- Oh.
No, it's stupid. Sorry.
What?
This baby, it's...
a huge thing, isn't it?
If you're not in court tomorrow,
will you do something for me?
Absolutely.
- Bright and early, Miss Costello.
- I need to talk to you.
Is that appropriate?
"Appropriate." Now, there's a word.
Excuse me.
What is this?
If they're Nigerian, nick 'em.
Just nick the bastards, 99 times
out of 100 something will stick.
The most dishonest people on Earth.
Germany win at football,
Italians run away
and every last blackie Lagos
is a scam merchant.
Remember?
This is no good to you.
This isn't evidence.
You can't even tell who it is
on the tape.
Which is why I'm not going to try.
- So, what are you going to do?
- Rules of natural justice.
I wanted you to hear first what
the Daily Mirror is about to receive.
- You wouldn't dare!
- Why don't you ask him
how far I'm prepared to go
to get a just result?
Sex?
- I've got a speech to make.
- Not a complete no, then.
It's 17 years since Stephen Lawrence
was murdered.
And 12 since the Macpherson report
labelled this organisation
institutionally racist.
See, I think we've reached a critical
point in the history of the MET.
And why?
Because Rachna Ali and PC Johnson
were trying to laugh at racism.
Lampooning racism isn't racism.
It's the strongest possible weapon
against it.
See, and their colleagues
at the police station understood that.
But when an outside officer heard
what he heard and complained about it,
they got frightened.
I mean, of course they did.
And they reverted to
knee-jerk correctness.
Regardless of meaning,
regardless of motive.
In line with policy,
in line with what people at the top
are saying.
People like you.
See, nobody will criticise you
if you keep using a big sledgehammer
to crack down on racism,
and, in fact, you'll probably
get applauded for it.
But it won't be fair on this woman.
It won't be just or morally right.
If you're brave enough
to find Rachna Ali not guilty,
you will be doing a huge service
to the police force
she has been so proud to represent.
You will be saying, "We are no longer
defined by a our racist history."
You will be saying,
"We are no longer afraid of our past."
Verdict in the morning. Thank you.
Please don't tell Noah
I said this.
He's under huge pressure at home
because four out of the five kids
are ill.
He wants to return the case
at the Bailey,
but doesn't feel he can
without letting chambers down.
He really should, though. I mean,
for the sake of his marriage, actually.
I'll deal with it.
Mr. Zeigler, sir.
Have you given any thought
to what we were talking about?
I believe in tipping points.
I think if Martha came over to us,
I mean, people saw that
she was moving against Billy.
She's got so much integrity, it would...
Billy, I need to talk to you now.
It would say everything we need to say.
The rest of chambers would follow.
You've taken me
off the Bailey case.
- This is unforgivable!
- I know, sir, I'm sorry.
Back to being opponents.
Don't take this the wrong way, um...
but if I was chambers
I'd take you ahead of me.
What would be the wrong way
to take a comment like that, Nick?
Well, you fit in.
Which you might not think is
completely a compliment but...
I mean, the bar is made for you.
Daddy the judge and all that.
- You've got a...
- What?
Oh, just a chip.
What?
You know, because of my father,
because of my background,
everybody thinks I'm going to make it,
which is bloody hard, actually.
If you were chambers,
who would you take?
Me.
We find the accused officer guilty.
But we have decided not to
dismiss the accused
or to ask her to resign.
She will be cautioned.
We're confident she can look forward to
a long and successful career.
Good morning.
Thank you.
So, you wouldn't have any objection
if I started talking to Martha?
Okay.
- She's going off to Martha.
- I want to know.
- Martha!
- We won. Yeah, we won it.
Fantastic. That's great news.
Oh, by the way, Kate's looking for you.
You need a good prosecution under
your belt before this interview.
Been a long time since
we were against each other.
Big kudos for us acting for both sides.
His face was just a mass of blood.
Did you intend to kill him?
It's just not me, prosecution.
- You actually hacked into his computer?
- Thousands unaccounted for.
You want me in your gang
when you kick Billy out of the door.
If I was prosecuting this case,
I'd cut a deal.
And if I was defending,
Tony Paddick would walk.