Press (2018) s01e04 Episode Script
Magic
I knew I wasn't the only one.
He's still doing it now.
I found the piece, wrote it, oversaw it.
I'm granting the temporary injunction.
- Pulp the papers.
- What? How did you get the story at exactly the same time? Something in the water.
My new flatmate, he works for The Post.
- I think he stole it.
- You still want the PM? I want the word paedophile inches from his face.
That should get them flying off the shelves.
My one real job is to ensure the continued daily publication of the newspaper and for the first time in living memory that hasn't happened.
So what now? That's up to Amina.
But we don't want two days without a paper, so let's just get on with it.
What are you doing today? Er, Leona has a thing she wants me to help with.
- What thing? - I don't know.
You two cooking something up? I have no idea, she said she can't do it on her own.
That hardly narrows it down, does it? I can tell her it has to wait, I can stay here, I can help.
No, no, no, she's showing initiative.
You should do it.
- But West.
- We're not finished with West.
And The Post? We haven't finished with The Post either.
Cos we can't just leave what they've done.
We won't.
Go on, help Leona.
OK.
- You know that scene in Spotlight? - What's Spotlight? - It's a film.
- Never heard of it.
Really? It won an Oscar.
Anyway, there's a bit where a story goes in the paper and suddenly all the phones are ringing.
People calling with their experiences of the same thing.
- OK? - That's what's happening here.
We've got 11 women saying he did a similar thing to them.
By the way, Emmerson's in your office.
What does he want? Isn't he good mates with Joshua West? Have you got the details of those other women? Yeah.
You really haven't seen Spotlight? Ah, good one.
Good one.
Here.
All got in contact this morning.
18 18 19 Six more.
I like West too but it turns out he was a pervert.
I heard you split up with Sarah.
I Yes.
And, strangely, we're all happier.
Literally everyone in the world is smiling because of my impending divorce.
And, more to the point, this is me doing my job so with all the respect in the world, back off.
Actually, I came here to congratulate you.
Right, good.
With money and power mean you can get what you want.
Which is fine if, like me, all you're after is the occasional boat.
But if you're into this sort of thing, well My daughter always said he was creepy.
I never liked his hands.
PM's not happy about where you put his picture.
Why not? Too close to the words "Sex Pest".
No.
Really? - Oh, yeah.
- Call him up.
- Reassure him.
- Maybe if I get a quiet moment.
- I liked Sarah.
- I didn't.
And what about Fred, he all right? I try to phone, but apparently it's always the wrong moment.
Wish you ran your family like you run your paper.
I did.
That was the problem.
Well done on this, anyway.
Thanks.
And do call the PM.
If you get a quiet moment.
- Get Ed.
- Righto.
KNOCK AT DOOR Where did it come from? You told Raz you had a feeling about West.
And then when you passed that on to Alex, it came with detailed notes.
And for some reason, you didn't want to work on it.
That's not a feeling, that's a guilty conscience.
It's an important part of being a journalist that you protect your sources.
Yeah, I understand that, I do, but tell me where you got it or you're fired.
My flatmate's a journalist.
She left it out.
Does she work at the Herald? Holly Evans.
KNOCK AT DOOR We've got a problem.
Len's just called.
He wasn't allowed into the Prime Minister's conference this morning.
I beg your pardon? Focus on the money, not the gossip.
The Post will cover that.
I want financial details, the reactions of his corporations, the charities.
And somebody find out where he is.
He's one of the richest men in the country, someone must know.
Yeah.
Great.
Thanks.
Craig, can you check in with the West team throughout the day? - They need to stay on track.
- Mm-hm.
You've got people on Joshua West? Yeah.
We're going to find him.
Ask all his affiliated companies for a response.
- We lost the story.
- Yeah, I know but Do something else.
We'll do a big front page apology.
Headline "We're sorry".
Up front.
Honest.
Draw a line.
- Really? - Can you write it? And I'm aware it's not your job technically, but you know what you're doing.
What, is this what they want? A full front page apology? Cos it's a bad idea to be on the back foot.
No, it's not what they want.
- Amina, we've only been - It's what I want.
- You ready? - Er, yeah.
- Do I need anything? - Just the usual.
- Where we going? - The Hill.
- Which Hill? - You haven't heard of the Hill? Are you OK? You're in for a treat.
Can you knock, please? - You've got an open door policy.
- Well, we should look at that.
- How are you? - You'll do conference today.
We need new stories, business as usual.
You didn't answer my question.
- What? - How are you? Jesus, Peter, we sleep together once, you think I need a shoulder to cry on I ask you how you are all the time.
I've told them that I caused the mess, I'll clear it up.
You didn't do anything wrong.
Cos for the first time that anyone can remember a national newspaper's failed to print.
It's my paper, so that's Holly's right, you know.
Why aren't we fighting? Explaining to them what happened and People don't care why we got it wrong, they feel let down and they'll want, much like the Board, to know who's to blame.
I'm the editor in chief here, so there really is only one name on that list.
What was last night? - We were drunk.
- It was a mistake.
I want you to understand that.
A mistake.
I'm going to offer my resignation.
By the end of the day.
If you resign, I'll resign too.
Don't be ridiculous.
You have a job to do.
You need to be out there.
Go.
Oh, the service has definitely improved since I was last here.
- The Prime Minister won't be a moment.
- Good to know.
Thanks.
- I want an apology.
- That's funny, cos so do I.
- You didn't let my reporter in.
- That's right.
Post is banned until further notice.
- What for? - Being inaccurate.
Did I hurt your feelings? You put a picture of me with my family by a headline that said "Sex Pest".
That was about Josh West.
Nothing inaccurate about that story, by the way.
But, yeah, I'm sorry, that's just how it fell.
On the page.
Either way though, you don't blacklist us.
That's not how it's done.
I know former Prime Ministers have bent over backwards to indulge you, but I looked at that picture of my family that I never wanted, and I thought it stops now.
You don't have the power you did.
TV, Twitter, YouTube.
They don't need you like we used to.
- Do you want a war? - I want respect.
You carry on with this, we'll be putting the censure of the press up on the website immediately, then tweeting it, then on the front page tomorrow.
That's up to you.
Oh, and this Resonance thing that you seem so keen to kept quiet.
Maybe I'll look into that.
If you want to be allowed back into the briefing I'm going to need that apology.
Don't hold your breath.
Maybe instead what you should - Ready to leave? - Yup.
Yeah, sure, why not? I'm going to have another go at persuading you.
Not now.
I'm presuming that most of Josh West's victims have got in touch with the Post.
Well, three of them have come to us with details that are remarkably similar.
- Also - No.
Then what do I say to these women? Say that we're not looking to cover the story.
- And tell them to go to the Post.
- If they like.
'Understandably, there is a lot of interest in all this, 'and there's a lot of questions people want answers too.
'I could use this opportunity to apologise to any of you, 'my customers, who feel let down.
'And I am sorry.
'But really I want to apologise publicly to my wife, Caroline.
'And my children.
'You probably deserve a much better man as a husband as a father.
'In all honesty I really don't know what they're feeling right now.
'But I am keen to make it work.
- 'Thank you.
- 'Mr West, are you going to resign? 'No, I'm not going to resign.
'I'm going to carry on and try to fix this mess.
- 'Yes? - 'Venture West? 'Venture West, er, 'we've got some exciting new developments' PHONE ALER Some water? Er, yeah, thanks.
- Still or sparkling? - Just tap water's fine.
Tap water? Sparkling's great, thanks so much.
So you come here a lot? - Once or twice.
- Why won't you tell me what this is? You wouldn't have come if you knew who we were meeting.
- Who are we meeting? - Leona! So pleased you could make it.
- Absolute pleasure! How are you? - Mwah.
Terrible.
The taxi couldn't make to the door because of road works so it parked round the corner and I had to walk.
Two Big Issue sellers and 12 smokers later, here I am.
- Is this him? - Yes.
James Edwards.
- James? - Oh, sorry.
Pleasure.
No, no, no.
You despise me.
I can tell, I've seen that look before.
You didn't tell him who he was meeting.
- He I'm not sure he would have come.
- Well, that makes sense.
I imagine you lot are feeling rather prickly this morning.
No paper! How embarrassing! I'm friends with Leona's mother.
We're on the board of the local theatre.
She's a hoot.
I needed a favour, so I got in contact with Dumpling.
- Who's Dumpling? - Dumpling.
There.
Dumpling.
That is what your mother calls you, isn't it? - Normally not in front of people.
- Oh, well.
Your secret's out.
Sorry, this is the story that you want me to help you with? - Yes.
- Yeah.
I'm the story.
What, do you want to criticise poor people for their education? Do you want to beat up on some parents who've lost their child for crying on television? No, I want to talk to you because I've done something terrible.
Possibly criminal.
It needs to be public and I hoped you'd write it.
Shall we order? You were working on Geoff Newman, that ex-soldier you thought had murdered that boy.
Yeah.
You realise he didn't do it? After three days of persecution by your paper, the police announced this morning that they found the real killer.
- The child's step-father.
- I know.
So were you just pretending with that or No, I was busy so a separate team took the Josh West story.
After you gave them my notes.
Your notes were there, under the table.
Don't do that.
- This was a choice.
- I'm a journalist.
- You would have done the same.
- You know I wouldn't.
I mean in a way, with what happened, it's lucky.
If I hadn't taken them, people wouldn't know.
- So I should be thanking you? - No! Just That's what Duncan said today, that you were our best reporter.
You got the story and you were better than all of us.
- Who did he say that to? - Everyone.
In conference.
He said give a round of applause for our star reporter Holly Evans.
And everyone laughed.
He thinks it's funny.
He said if only he could thank you in person.
Right.
I'm sorry.
Are we OK? I can still stay in the flat? Course.
Come on.
Perfect.
Why did you have risotto? So boring.
It was pretty much the only thing on the menu I knew how to pronounce.
So ask! They don't mind! I mean, yes, you will look unsophisticated, but in your case that ship's pretty much sailed.
Clothes.
Accent.
I mean, do you think people look northern? I think they do.
I think you can tell.
So.
What have you done? Is this really how you warm up the subjects of your interviews? I'm not in the mood to warm up, if you want to tell us something, - please just - It's not quite that, actually.
I'm not here to tell you anything, I'm here to check you out.
To see if you should have my confession.
God.
- Are you sure this is worth it? - Yes.
Because I'm overdue a trip to the dentist and right now, that feels like a less painful way to spend my time.
Irony, good! I like a sense of humour.
Can you not just do this yourself? - No.
- Why not? You've been at the paper a while, - you just need to - She asked for you specifically.
- She what? - Oh, yes.
I wanted James Edwards.
Why? I wanted someone incorruptible.
Who drives to the heart of the story and says it like it is.
Who people respect.
Who won't pull punches.
I have to say, so far, so good.
- What have you done? - Later.
Seeing as the Herald's paying for this, after he's finished the boring risotto, shall we move on? Come in.
Sit down, if If you want.
I got you a flat white, which I think you like.
Some biscuits.
I hear you're angry.
- You knew I was coming.
- Yeah.
I told Ed to persuade you.
You stole my work.
Your flatmate stole your work.
I published it.
West was always going to launch a full-blown legal battle.
Amina was naive.
Do you want to see what we've got for tomorrow? Look.
He's moved into his club, the Royal Albion.
So we indulge in some healthy speculation about the state of his marriage.
Did you see that conference he did? Real penitence.
Well, I don't know if it was real, but it was convincing.
It's getting cold.
Why are you sending all my presents back? You liked the umbrella.
You sent me an e-mail.
Yeah, that was a mistake.
Right.
Cos I read it like an expression of interest.
Apparently you told everyone that I was one of your best reporters.
Well, you were responsible for our best story of in weeks, and you are standing in my office with a staff card so I want an apology.
I am very sorry.
- Printed.
- Oh, no.
What upsets you the most? The plagiarism? Or that the Herald missed an edition? Look, everything happened like I'm sure you hoped it would, by the way.
We've had 11 calls today from other women who were on the programme when they slept with West, and felt they'd been used.
- Yeah, we've had calls too.
- Right then.
But he's getting away with it.
That conference.
The carefully managed apologists on TV.
He's got advisors managing this to limit the damage so no-one's talking about him, they're talking about us.
The Herald.
That's because you weren't out there today, explaining why.
I know.
What's your front page tomorrow? It's looking like an apology to the people for missing a print edition.
- Bad choice.
- I know.
I know you know.
If we'd published the West story, we'd put the pressure on, be following it up for a week, longer articles, profiles on the victims, but I'm guessing, since you've covered it, tomorrow you'll move on.
Yeah, well, like I said, we've got him going into his club, and that's on page five and six, so you're right, yeah, there's probably not much more to say.
He deserves to lose everything for what he's done to those women.
Whatever he deserves, he's not actually done anything illegal, so that's pretty hard.
- Yeah.
- Sit down, please.
Sit down.
Why are you an editor? You should be a special correspondent.
You should be out there with the resources to find the stories, and the talent to write them, without interference.
I read your stuff.
You're really good.
You can't be happy, where you are.
Doing admin on a slowly sinking ship.
What we do is becoming more important, between the crap conspiracy theories - on the internet, false accounts - That's interesting And all the shite that your paper's shovelling out.
You don't sound very convincing.
Yeah, look, you're starting to lapse.
- No.
- Yeah, you're beginning to see the world like I do.
Apologise! Let me whisper in your ear.
There isn't a solution to the world.
And, more than that, there's not always progress.
Right, that's why we're making money and you're not.
That's why we're hiring the best people, and you're not.
That's why we've got a big future, in a gleaming building, and you, over there, have got mouse traps in every corridor.
It's why I tell the Prime Minister what to do, and Amina can barely get a paper out.
Because while you try to hold up a mirror to expose small hypocrisies around the edges of a world that doesn't really exist, we influence the outcome of elections.
We protect the NHS, the poor, the voiceless, but we do it through the most outrageous storytelling in the world, not statistics.
And people love us.
Come and write for us.
I'm serious.
If you could write anything for tomorrow, anything.
What would it be? - I'd follow up on Josh West.
- Why? - Because there's more.
- More what? Why? - Instinct.
- Good answer.
- You should find out.
- The world's shit at the moment.
But at least at the Herald we try to make it a bit better.
And how's that going? No-one will stop you being you.
No-one would stop you being intelligent.
You don't have to keep trying to make the world better, Holly, just live in it, report it.
Break free.
Who knows what might happen to you? So much more than what's going on in your life now.
You could dress properly, if you wanted to, you could have the life you've actually always wanted.
No more mousetraps.
- You don't know anything about me.
- I do, now.
A bit, I do.
Wait! Another present.
And maybe keep this one.
Follow your instincts.
And think about my offer.
Everyone knows it's chaos over there.
Come here instead.
Do you want to see this? Yeah, it's fine.
Where's Holly? - Craig, where's Holly? - I don't know.
- Brilliant.
- Just wait five minutes.
- We need to get off-stone.
- I told you it's fine.
It's wrong.
Your entire response to what's happened is wrong.
You're being weak.
Do you know what you're projecting to everyone out there? Shame.
That as a paper we've made some massive mistake We have.
There isn't a paper.
When you walked in here today, we all thought, "This is going to be her big moment.
" You know, we all thought there was going to be a big speech.
But no, you just turned and walked into an office.
- No leadership, no defiance.
Shame.
- It is shame.
Congratulations, you've correctly identified it.
- Right, so you need - I have told them that I'm resigning.
They're going to take the night to think about next steps.
Come back in the morning, get the paper off-stone, Peter.
You're not my mum, you're not my husband, you're just someone I had sex with once last night who therefore thinks he knows me I know you better than your ex-husband, I know you better than your friends.
I work closely with you every day.
This is tough love.
- Sort yourself out - Call your wife.
What? Call your wife and tell her you're not coming home tonight.
- I don't know - I don't want you to go home tonight.
- Where did you go? - Some air.
- We're nearly done.
- Craig's on it.
You've never got "some air", why now? Because I'm the deputy news editor and I don't think that an apology counts as news.
What about you? All right.
Amina's sure.
We're off-stone.
- Do you believe in God? - No.
And you're parents, they're still alive? - Yep.
- And where do they live? - Bolton.
- Urgh! Awful place.
What sort of house? Terraced, Billy Elliot sort of thing? - Yes, actually.
- How did I know? But now you're in a long term relationship with your boyfriend, you said that, are you going to "marry"? You know what, I'm going to have to go.
How do you approach the people you interview? What? I mean, do you judge them? No.
Because I want them to tell the truth.
Do you think you represent them fairly? Yeah, I hope I have a reputation that comes from that, and I always want to portray the truth.
You would never write something just to attract attention? - Never.
- Good.
I suppose we're opposite ends of the spectrum in that regard.
Seeing as I'm queen of the click bait.
Yeah.
He's the most principled journalist at the Herald.
Everyone knows it.
Well, this is what I've heard.
I was hoping for a sort of wide-ranging interview.
A profile piece, within which I will make my confession.
- Would that work for you? - It depends what you've done.
All right, I think I've seen enough.
Honestly, he's really good! Yeah, I know.
I mean, his politics are utter fantasy and I wish he'd get better shoes, but I can see he believes in what he does.
Which is all we need.
- We? - Yeah.
I'm ready to tell you both the truth.
- What? - What do you mean? I'm not what I seem.
- See you tomorrow.
- Bye.
Oh, hey, Holly! - Is Amina around? - Er, they've just left.
What's going on? We've got something.
I think you'll like it.
What? Where have you been? We went to have lunch with Wendy Bolt.
Wendy Bolt? She wanted to see James to vet him.
She said she had a big confession and she wanted to make sure he was as principled as everyone said.
So she asked him all these questions We don't want a Wendy Bolt story.
And then, at the end, she says she'll tell us the truth.
It's not a story about her, it's a story about her friend.
- Who's her friend? - Joshua West.
They know each other from charity things.
She feels sorry for him, for some reason he wanted James to interview him, and they worked out they had me as a connection.
He's up for coming in tomorrow for an interview.
- He asked for you specifically? - Yeah.
- This is - What? OK, what questions are you going to ask him? We'll ask about what he's done, about the women.
He'll tell you what he's done, it's all out there.
He'll say although it's not illegal, he'll point that out, although it's not illegal he can see how much harm it's done to those women and to his family.
We'll ask him about abusing his position of power.
He'll say he's addicted to sex and it's a problem he's entering rehabilitation for.
What else? - I thought you wanted to go after him? - I do.
Precisely because at the moment, it appears nothing will actually stick.
The Post's dropping this tomorrow, if he can ride it out one more day, get the most respected journalist at the Herald to interview him, he's home and dry.
It's a PR exercise.
Isn't that obvious? You know, even if he thinks it's a PR thing, it's an opportunity.
I'll do my best, I will work on the questions tonight.
- You are doing him a favour.
- It's my job to make sure that I'm not.
OK, night.
- What did she say? Your wife? - Not much.
I told her I had to work late and be in early tomorrow, with everything that's going on.
She was very understanding, actually.
I assume you want to talk about today? About you resigning.
You should apply for the job when I leave.
I haven't got any desire to replace you.
Do you know where I'm going? The London Opera.
Chief Executive.
Chance to open the whole place up.
Make a difference.
Make it more accessible.
Opera.
HE CHUCKLES Is this is this a game that you're playing with me? No.
You're going to leave the Herald and run an opera house? I've been on the board a few years, I know my way round.
- It is what people do.
- Not you.
Well, I've already given my resignation in, so But they haven't accepted it yet.
You can e-mail first thing and withdraw it.
Get on the front foot tomorrow.
I've had enough of responsibility.
- You thrive on responsibility.
- Clearly not any more.
Look at what I'm doing.
You're married.
I asked you to come here and you did.
But you're married to someone really nice.
I'm didn't come here You know why you're here.
We both know.
Don't you ever think, "Just let go"? Don't you ever want to stop thinking things through? Amina.
Stop.
- Stop.
- Why? - Stop, stop, stop! - Why?! Because, unlike Joshua West, I don't get off on having sex with vulnerable people.
Well I want to get drunk.
Let's drink.
I should go.
I'm going to go.
Hey! Hey, hey! Hey! Hey, hey! Put the plate down, put the plate down, put the plate down, put the plate down, come on.
Come on.
Hey.
- It's all a mess.
- Then do something! MUSIC:[ HUMAN BY SEVDALIZA.]
Can I join? Sure.
- You're Joshua West.
- That's right, and who are you? Hermione Granger, shhh.
- All right, how can I help? - I want to talk.
Police, fan, journalist? - A concerned citizen.
- Why concerned? Well they say you're being hounded by the paparazzi, thrown out of your marital home, hanging your head in shame.
But I was walking home, thinking, no, that's not your style.
"He made that statement.
He's very careful.
"He would've had that approved by his family before he did it.
" Your marriage is fine.
Isn't it? You're in here so they, they don't chase your wife and kids.
You've got costly lawyers, advisers.
They would have said, "You haven't done anything illegal, "just issue an apology, wait till the wind changes - "and then carry on, as you were.
" - Why does it matter to you? I believe in standards in public life.
- I didn't do anything wrong.
- The women beg to differ.
Nothing illegal.
The women were adults.
- Do you want us to? - No, it's OK.
- Are you recording this conversation? - No.
OK journalist.
I can sense your judgment of me.
But you have no idea.
Of how I live.
Of this world.
I can tell.
By your jumper.
Your shoes.
The quality of your skin.
This is all a dream for you and it always will be.
And you come here and you think it seems a fantasy, but let me tell you this is the real world.
Rooms like this are where real decisions are made.
People like you will only ever get a glimpse of it.
It's obscene.
It's magic.
Things can happen but with a word from me, they didn't.
Hey Like this.
And it seems you ARE recording it.
How were you planning to use that? Secret recording's illegal.
- There's ways.
- Tell me.
You leak it to a foreign website, they put it on the internet, you report that.
You lose some of the credit but at least you get to break the story legally.
Fascinating.
You see, it's magic.
You think this is happening, but it isn't.
It didn't.
No-one here saw anything.
No-one here knows what happened to your phone.
Stand up, please.
I'd do as he asks.
In case you're finding this intrusive, or demeaning, don't worry, it isn't happening.
You're a journalist.
I can smell it.
What paper? Ah, doesn't matter.
You wanted to record me saying dubious things.
That's why you came here.
Lied to me.
I came to look you in the eye.
Well, now you have.
And all your worst suspicions are confirmed.
But nothing you can prove.
Power trumps everything.
You know how you have to go outside to smoke? - How's the key working for you? - Good, thank you.
You can come here whenever you want.
- I don't want to intrude.
- You won't.
What? - What do you want me to do? - Just whatever.
- Make yourself a drink, put the TV on.
- OK? I've got this to be getting on with.
- Is this a game? - No.
You want me to distract you from your important work? It is important, actually.
It's the sales breakdown for the final quarter.
It's interesting.
You want to tell me about it? No, I I just want to read it.
Why did you call me? - Are you staying the night? - If you want.
Good, so take your boots off.
Just, just chill out and do what you want.
- Have you had a good day? - Yes, you? Actually yes.
- Thanks for asking.
- No problem.
Back late.
I haven't had sex in eight months.
- Right.
- We were going to have sex.
- Yeah.
- What happened? - Er you were really drunk.
- I'm not drunk now.
- Is that good? Is that good? - Shh, shh, shh.
Right.
It's a bit early, isn't it? I used to smoke 20 a day.
- I mean to be working.
- Not for me.
Has something happened? - You need to move out.
- Sorry? Right now.
Cos I'm working and I can't trust you.
I can't have you around here any more.
But you said You were doing your job, and I understand that you were thinking practically.
Well, I'm doing the same.
It's not practical to have you here in case you do it again.
Like you said, I'm better off alone.
- But last night - Was really good.
Now you go.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Look, I know yesterday was difficult, but we are back on track today, so business as usual.
- Yeah? - Yeah, sure.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Hi.
We spoke to Amina last night and she agreed so he's coming in, and he's going to be here in 20 minutes.
It's too good an opportunity to turn down.
- Even if the chance of him - Ask him about that instead.
I got up early and did some work.
Work that Amina told me not to do.
Work that isn't actually my job.
I ask him about this, he's going to leave immediately.
What's the alternative, James, that you don't ask him? What is it? Come on, I've worked hard for this.
Well, we have to.
What now? Just touring my favourite organization.
I find it fascinating.
- You're distracting them.
- Nonsense.
And even if I am I own them.
To what do I owe this reappearance? You've upset our Prime Minister and I want you to apologise.
Nothing public, you won't lose face.
Just give him a call, say sorry.
- We get back to normal.
- I'm doing my job.
Journalism, just what you wanted.
- I know, but he's proud.
- Me too! Proud as they get.
- Sorry isn't in my vocabulary.
- Well, it needs to be.
- Are you joking? - This is my serious face.
He also said there was a story you promised to keep quiet.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, you do, and I'd like you to keep that promise.
- Where's this coming from? - We have business together.
You're going to support him in the election.
Business together.
And you're a spanner in our works.
So apologise and move on, all right? - No.
- To keep your ego intact we both pretend you don't have a boss, that you have complete freedom, but the reality is Duncan I own you too.
Use my phone.
This is his number.
You'll get straight through.
I don't ask for much.
I really don't.
You don't mind about the camera? - You did agree we could film it? - Absolutely.
Sorry about the subterfuge in setting this up.
I had to be sure I could trust you.
And Wendy, for all her flaws, is pretty good at judging people.
Tell me about it.
Now, obviously, there's been a lot in the press over the last couple of days about the women who have come forward and accused you of grooming them, sleeping with them.
I believe there's 16 now.
Yes.
And, as I've said, I'm deeply sorry.
Although nothing I did was illegal, I know how much it's hurt people.
There's no excusing it, and I don't intend to.
Right.
I want to start by asking you about one woman in particular, who I don't think has come forward before now.
- All right.
- Sheena Patel.
- You know the name? - Yes, I know Sheena.
So you and her had a relationship? - Yes.
- Slept together? Yes, we did.
But she wasn't on the trainee programme, like the others? I Perhaps she No, I don't believe she was.
Actually, you met at a party, I think.
Can you tell me when that was? I can't remember exactly.
- Well, it's 13 years ago.
- If you say so.
- She's now 28 years old.
- Right.
Which means she was 15 when you met her.
That's right, isn't it? Have you spoken to her? Yeah, one of my colleagues spoke to her this morning.
She claims that you slept with her shortly after that party.
That you slept with her when she was 15.
Is that right? Sheena is a vulnerable person.
What makes you say that? She I'm surprised that she spoke to you.
I'm sure, as you've been paying her large amounts of money for the last ten years.
And you helped fund her university education, you helped her start her own business.
It's very generous.
I didn't sleep with her when she was underage.
She says you did.
And she's got some e-mails from you, around that time.
I don't recognise these.
Well, there's also some e-mails, which seem to imply that you wanted her to keep some kind of a secret.
I'm going to finish this now.
These are accusations of something criminal.
They are in fact libellous.
Only if they're not true.
You did agree I could ask you anything.
But this is a legal matter.
I'm going to need to consult my lawyers.
And here I am.
Magic.
They just told me, well done.
Thanks.
- They just told me, well done.
- Thanks.
You must've worked all night.
- Yeah.
Early start.
- Amazing.
And you got what you wanted.
Something to pin on him.
That's right.
Holly.
Do we have a problem? You told me not to look into it.
The only reason that Sheena's story was told properly - is because I ignored you.
- All right.
Well, I'm sorry If I hadn't done that, the whole paper would have been used to restore the reputation of a man who's abused at least 15 women.
- Are you resigning? - No.
I've thought about it overnight and I think it's important that I keep going.
- That we all keep going.
- I was saying that yesterday.
Before you put the apology on the front page.
- You're angry.
- Oh, you noticed.
Look, do you want to come into my office? - What's the problem? - Holly? You're not resigning, good for you.
But I am.
- Holly - I'll work my notice if you want me to, but I would rather just leave now.
- Why? - Because this whole thing is a mess.
We think that we're better, but we're not, we're just naive.
Ignoring the obvious.
Out of date.
Slowly fucking dying.
The Herald won't exist in two years' time and you know that.
Why are you pretending? - That's why things are going to change.
- Yeah.
Everybody knows you're sleeping together.
You think you're hiding it but you're not.
It's embarrassing.
Holly, you have clearly been finding things difficult I don't want to talk about it.
Perhaps some time away would be useful No, I want to go for good, right now.
- All right.
- Thanks.
Stop her.
- Stop her! - No.
Holly, Holly! Holly.
What's going on? - I've told Amina that I've had enough.
- What? I'm leaving.
Why? Everybody's talking about what just happened.
You got him.
He can't come back from that.
No? I told her that it would make a difference.
He'll be on the phone right now to his lawyer, making every effort to undermine her story.
We have no fucking power at all! PHONE RINGS Holly Evans.
Make me an offer.
MUSIC: [SHE BANGS THE DRUMS BY THE STONE ROSES.]
Did you hear Holly's started at the Post? Oh, Holly, no! - Why are you here? - I work here.
Special correspondent.
What bothers you so much? That I threw you out or I slept with you first? There were three stories I wanted to follow when I was at the Herald, but the people involved wanted money.
- But we're not so squeamish.
- A young Syrian called Adnan Homsi.
There's something else I want you to start with.
Find out what that is.
Said it might compromise the PM.
You wrote the Lyon's story yesterday.
- Yeah.
- Vicious.
What, he puts three people in the hospital, but we're bullying him? Today's saying our front page may have been a contributing factor.
He's still doing it now.
I found the piece, wrote it, oversaw it.
I'm granting the temporary injunction.
- Pulp the papers.
- What? How did you get the story at exactly the same time? Something in the water.
My new flatmate, he works for The Post.
- I think he stole it.
- You still want the PM? I want the word paedophile inches from his face.
That should get them flying off the shelves.
My one real job is to ensure the continued daily publication of the newspaper and for the first time in living memory that hasn't happened.
So what now? That's up to Amina.
But we don't want two days without a paper, so let's just get on with it.
What are you doing today? Er, Leona has a thing she wants me to help with.
- What thing? - I don't know.
You two cooking something up? I have no idea, she said she can't do it on her own.
That hardly narrows it down, does it? I can tell her it has to wait, I can stay here, I can help.
No, no, no, she's showing initiative.
You should do it.
- But West.
- We're not finished with West.
And The Post? We haven't finished with The Post either.
Cos we can't just leave what they've done.
We won't.
Go on, help Leona.
OK.
- You know that scene in Spotlight? - What's Spotlight? - It's a film.
- Never heard of it.
Really? It won an Oscar.
Anyway, there's a bit where a story goes in the paper and suddenly all the phones are ringing.
People calling with their experiences of the same thing.
- OK? - That's what's happening here.
We've got 11 women saying he did a similar thing to them.
By the way, Emmerson's in your office.
What does he want? Isn't he good mates with Joshua West? Have you got the details of those other women? Yeah.
You really haven't seen Spotlight? Ah, good one.
Good one.
Here.
All got in contact this morning.
18 18 19 Six more.
I like West too but it turns out he was a pervert.
I heard you split up with Sarah.
I Yes.
And, strangely, we're all happier.
Literally everyone in the world is smiling because of my impending divorce.
And, more to the point, this is me doing my job so with all the respect in the world, back off.
Actually, I came here to congratulate you.
Right, good.
With money and power mean you can get what you want.
Which is fine if, like me, all you're after is the occasional boat.
But if you're into this sort of thing, well My daughter always said he was creepy.
I never liked his hands.
PM's not happy about where you put his picture.
Why not? Too close to the words "Sex Pest".
No.
Really? - Oh, yeah.
- Call him up.
- Reassure him.
- Maybe if I get a quiet moment.
- I liked Sarah.
- I didn't.
And what about Fred, he all right? I try to phone, but apparently it's always the wrong moment.
Wish you ran your family like you run your paper.
I did.
That was the problem.
Well done on this, anyway.
Thanks.
And do call the PM.
If you get a quiet moment.
- Get Ed.
- Righto.
KNOCK AT DOOR Where did it come from? You told Raz you had a feeling about West.
And then when you passed that on to Alex, it came with detailed notes.
And for some reason, you didn't want to work on it.
That's not a feeling, that's a guilty conscience.
It's an important part of being a journalist that you protect your sources.
Yeah, I understand that, I do, but tell me where you got it or you're fired.
My flatmate's a journalist.
She left it out.
Does she work at the Herald? Holly Evans.
KNOCK AT DOOR We've got a problem.
Len's just called.
He wasn't allowed into the Prime Minister's conference this morning.
I beg your pardon? Focus on the money, not the gossip.
The Post will cover that.
I want financial details, the reactions of his corporations, the charities.
And somebody find out where he is.
He's one of the richest men in the country, someone must know.
Yeah.
Great.
Thanks.
Craig, can you check in with the West team throughout the day? - They need to stay on track.
- Mm-hm.
You've got people on Joshua West? Yeah.
We're going to find him.
Ask all his affiliated companies for a response.
- We lost the story.
- Yeah, I know but Do something else.
We'll do a big front page apology.
Headline "We're sorry".
Up front.
Honest.
Draw a line.
- Really? - Can you write it? And I'm aware it's not your job technically, but you know what you're doing.
What, is this what they want? A full front page apology? Cos it's a bad idea to be on the back foot.
No, it's not what they want.
- Amina, we've only been - It's what I want.
- You ready? - Er, yeah.
- Do I need anything? - Just the usual.
- Where we going? - The Hill.
- Which Hill? - You haven't heard of the Hill? Are you OK? You're in for a treat.
Can you knock, please? - You've got an open door policy.
- Well, we should look at that.
- How are you? - You'll do conference today.
We need new stories, business as usual.
You didn't answer my question.
- What? - How are you? Jesus, Peter, we sleep together once, you think I need a shoulder to cry on I ask you how you are all the time.
I've told them that I caused the mess, I'll clear it up.
You didn't do anything wrong.
Cos for the first time that anyone can remember a national newspaper's failed to print.
It's my paper, so that's Holly's right, you know.
Why aren't we fighting? Explaining to them what happened and People don't care why we got it wrong, they feel let down and they'll want, much like the Board, to know who's to blame.
I'm the editor in chief here, so there really is only one name on that list.
What was last night? - We were drunk.
- It was a mistake.
I want you to understand that.
A mistake.
I'm going to offer my resignation.
By the end of the day.
If you resign, I'll resign too.
Don't be ridiculous.
You have a job to do.
You need to be out there.
Go.
Oh, the service has definitely improved since I was last here.
- The Prime Minister won't be a moment.
- Good to know.
Thanks.
- I want an apology.
- That's funny, cos so do I.
- You didn't let my reporter in.
- That's right.
Post is banned until further notice.
- What for? - Being inaccurate.
Did I hurt your feelings? You put a picture of me with my family by a headline that said "Sex Pest".
That was about Josh West.
Nothing inaccurate about that story, by the way.
But, yeah, I'm sorry, that's just how it fell.
On the page.
Either way though, you don't blacklist us.
That's not how it's done.
I know former Prime Ministers have bent over backwards to indulge you, but I looked at that picture of my family that I never wanted, and I thought it stops now.
You don't have the power you did.
TV, Twitter, YouTube.
They don't need you like we used to.
- Do you want a war? - I want respect.
You carry on with this, we'll be putting the censure of the press up on the website immediately, then tweeting it, then on the front page tomorrow.
That's up to you.
Oh, and this Resonance thing that you seem so keen to kept quiet.
Maybe I'll look into that.
If you want to be allowed back into the briefing I'm going to need that apology.
Don't hold your breath.
Maybe instead what you should - Ready to leave? - Yup.
Yeah, sure, why not? I'm going to have another go at persuading you.
Not now.
I'm presuming that most of Josh West's victims have got in touch with the Post.
Well, three of them have come to us with details that are remarkably similar.
- Also - No.
Then what do I say to these women? Say that we're not looking to cover the story.
- And tell them to go to the Post.
- If they like.
'Understandably, there is a lot of interest in all this, 'and there's a lot of questions people want answers too.
'I could use this opportunity to apologise to any of you, 'my customers, who feel let down.
'And I am sorry.
'But really I want to apologise publicly to my wife, Caroline.
'And my children.
'You probably deserve a much better man as a husband as a father.
'In all honesty I really don't know what they're feeling right now.
'But I am keen to make it work.
- 'Thank you.
- 'Mr West, are you going to resign? 'No, I'm not going to resign.
'I'm going to carry on and try to fix this mess.
- 'Yes? - 'Venture West? 'Venture West, er, 'we've got some exciting new developments' PHONE ALER Some water? Er, yeah, thanks.
- Still or sparkling? - Just tap water's fine.
Tap water? Sparkling's great, thanks so much.
So you come here a lot? - Once or twice.
- Why won't you tell me what this is? You wouldn't have come if you knew who we were meeting.
- Who are we meeting? - Leona! So pleased you could make it.
- Absolute pleasure! How are you? - Mwah.
Terrible.
The taxi couldn't make to the door because of road works so it parked round the corner and I had to walk.
Two Big Issue sellers and 12 smokers later, here I am.
- Is this him? - Yes.
James Edwards.
- James? - Oh, sorry.
Pleasure.
No, no, no.
You despise me.
I can tell, I've seen that look before.
You didn't tell him who he was meeting.
- He I'm not sure he would have come.
- Well, that makes sense.
I imagine you lot are feeling rather prickly this morning.
No paper! How embarrassing! I'm friends with Leona's mother.
We're on the board of the local theatre.
She's a hoot.
I needed a favour, so I got in contact with Dumpling.
- Who's Dumpling? - Dumpling.
There.
Dumpling.
That is what your mother calls you, isn't it? - Normally not in front of people.
- Oh, well.
Your secret's out.
Sorry, this is the story that you want me to help you with? - Yes.
- Yeah.
I'm the story.
What, do you want to criticise poor people for their education? Do you want to beat up on some parents who've lost their child for crying on television? No, I want to talk to you because I've done something terrible.
Possibly criminal.
It needs to be public and I hoped you'd write it.
Shall we order? You were working on Geoff Newman, that ex-soldier you thought had murdered that boy.
Yeah.
You realise he didn't do it? After three days of persecution by your paper, the police announced this morning that they found the real killer.
- The child's step-father.
- I know.
So were you just pretending with that or No, I was busy so a separate team took the Josh West story.
After you gave them my notes.
Your notes were there, under the table.
Don't do that.
- This was a choice.
- I'm a journalist.
- You would have done the same.
- You know I wouldn't.
I mean in a way, with what happened, it's lucky.
If I hadn't taken them, people wouldn't know.
- So I should be thanking you? - No! Just That's what Duncan said today, that you were our best reporter.
You got the story and you were better than all of us.
- Who did he say that to? - Everyone.
In conference.
He said give a round of applause for our star reporter Holly Evans.
And everyone laughed.
He thinks it's funny.
He said if only he could thank you in person.
Right.
I'm sorry.
Are we OK? I can still stay in the flat? Course.
Come on.
Perfect.
Why did you have risotto? So boring.
It was pretty much the only thing on the menu I knew how to pronounce.
So ask! They don't mind! I mean, yes, you will look unsophisticated, but in your case that ship's pretty much sailed.
Clothes.
Accent.
I mean, do you think people look northern? I think they do.
I think you can tell.
So.
What have you done? Is this really how you warm up the subjects of your interviews? I'm not in the mood to warm up, if you want to tell us something, - please just - It's not quite that, actually.
I'm not here to tell you anything, I'm here to check you out.
To see if you should have my confession.
God.
- Are you sure this is worth it? - Yes.
Because I'm overdue a trip to the dentist and right now, that feels like a less painful way to spend my time.
Irony, good! I like a sense of humour.
Can you not just do this yourself? - No.
- Why not? You've been at the paper a while, - you just need to - She asked for you specifically.
- She what? - Oh, yes.
I wanted James Edwards.
Why? I wanted someone incorruptible.
Who drives to the heart of the story and says it like it is.
Who people respect.
Who won't pull punches.
I have to say, so far, so good.
- What have you done? - Later.
Seeing as the Herald's paying for this, after he's finished the boring risotto, shall we move on? Come in.
Sit down, if If you want.
I got you a flat white, which I think you like.
Some biscuits.
I hear you're angry.
- You knew I was coming.
- Yeah.
I told Ed to persuade you.
You stole my work.
Your flatmate stole your work.
I published it.
West was always going to launch a full-blown legal battle.
Amina was naive.
Do you want to see what we've got for tomorrow? Look.
He's moved into his club, the Royal Albion.
So we indulge in some healthy speculation about the state of his marriage.
Did you see that conference he did? Real penitence.
Well, I don't know if it was real, but it was convincing.
It's getting cold.
Why are you sending all my presents back? You liked the umbrella.
You sent me an e-mail.
Yeah, that was a mistake.
Right.
Cos I read it like an expression of interest.
Apparently you told everyone that I was one of your best reporters.
Well, you were responsible for our best story of in weeks, and you are standing in my office with a staff card so I want an apology.
I am very sorry.
- Printed.
- Oh, no.
What upsets you the most? The plagiarism? Or that the Herald missed an edition? Look, everything happened like I'm sure you hoped it would, by the way.
We've had 11 calls today from other women who were on the programme when they slept with West, and felt they'd been used.
- Yeah, we've had calls too.
- Right then.
But he's getting away with it.
That conference.
The carefully managed apologists on TV.
He's got advisors managing this to limit the damage so no-one's talking about him, they're talking about us.
The Herald.
That's because you weren't out there today, explaining why.
I know.
What's your front page tomorrow? It's looking like an apology to the people for missing a print edition.
- Bad choice.
- I know.
I know you know.
If we'd published the West story, we'd put the pressure on, be following it up for a week, longer articles, profiles on the victims, but I'm guessing, since you've covered it, tomorrow you'll move on.
Yeah, well, like I said, we've got him going into his club, and that's on page five and six, so you're right, yeah, there's probably not much more to say.
He deserves to lose everything for what he's done to those women.
Whatever he deserves, he's not actually done anything illegal, so that's pretty hard.
- Yeah.
- Sit down, please.
Sit down.
Why are you an editor? You should be a special correspondent.
You should be out there with the resources to find the stories, and the talent to write them, without interference.
I read your stuff.
You're really good.
You can't be happy, where you are.
Doing admin on a slowly sinking ship.
What we do is becoming more important, between the crap conspiracy theories - on the internet, false accounts - That's interesting And all the shite that your paper's shovelling out.
You don't sound very convincing.
Yeah, look, you're starting to lapse.
- No.
- Yeah, you're beginning to see the world like I do.
Apologise! Let me whisper in your ear.
There isn't a solution to the world.
And, more than that, there's not always progress.
Right, that's why we're making money and you're not.
That's why we're hiring the best people, and you're not.
That's why we've got a big future, in a gleaming building, and you, over there, have got mouse traps in every corridor.
It's why I tell the Prime Minister what to do, and Amina can barely get a paper out.
Because while you try to hold up a mirror to expose small hypocrisies around the edges of a world that doesn't really exist, we influence the outcome of elections.
We protect the NHS, the poor, the voiceless, but we do it through the most outrageous storytelling in the world, not statistics.
And people love us.
Come and write for us.
I'm serious.
If you could write anything for tomorrow, anything.
What would it be? - I'd follow up on Josh West.
- Why? - Because there's more.
- More what? Why? - Instinct.
- Good answer.
- You should find out.
- The world's shit at the moment.
But at least at the Herald we try to make it a bit better.
And how's that going? No-one will stop you being you.
No-one would stop you being intelligent.
You don't have to keep trying to make the world better, Holly, just live in it, report it.
Break free.
Who knows what might happen to you? So much more than what's going on in your life now.
You could dress properly, if you wanted to, you could have the life you've actually always wanted.
No more mousetraps.
- You don't know anything about me.
- I do, now.
A bit, I do.
Wait! Another present.
And maybe keep this one.
Follow your instincts.
And think about my offer.
Everyone knows it's chaos over there.
Come here instead.
Do you want to see this? Yeah, it's fine.
Where's Holly? - Craig, where's Holly? - I don't know.
- Brilliant.
- Just wait five minutes.
- We need to get off-stone.
- I told you it's fine.
It's wrong.
Your entire response to what's happened is wrong.
You're being weak.
Do you know what you're projecting to everyone out there? Shame.
That as a paper we've made some massive mistake We have.
There isn't a paper.
When you walked in here today, we all thought, "This is going to be her big moment.
" You know, we all thought there was going to be a big speech.
But no, you just turned and walked into an office.
- No leadership, no defiance.
Shame.
- It is shame.
Congratulations, you've correctly identified it.
- Right, so you need - I have told them that I'm resigning.
They're going to take the night to think about next steps.
Come back in the morning, get the paper off-stone, Peter.
You're not my mum, you're not my husband, you're just someone I had sex with once last night who therefore thinks he knows me I know you better than your ex-husband, I know you better than your friends.
I work closely with you every day.
This is tough love.
- Sort yourself out - Call your wife.
What? Call your wife and tell her you're not coming home tonight.
- I don't know - I don't want you to go home tonight.
- Where did you go? - Some air.
- We're nearly done.
- Craig's on it.
You've never got "some air", why now? Because I'm the deputy news editor and I don't think that an apology counts as news.
What about you? All right.
Amina's sure.
We're off-stone.
- Do you believe in God? - No.
And you're parents, they're still alive? - Yep.
- And where do they live? - Bolton.
- Urgh! Awful place.
What sort of house? Terraced, Billy Elliot sort of thing? - Yes, actually.
- How did I know? But now you're in a long term relationship with your boyfriend, you said that, are you going to "marry"? You know what, I'm going to have to go.
How do you approach the people you interview? What? I mean, do you judge them? No.
Because I want them to tell the truth.
Do you think you represent them fairly? Yeah, I hope I have a reputation that comes from that, and I always want to portray the truth.
You would never write something just to attract attention? - Never.
- Good.
I suppose we're opposite ends of the spectrum in that regard.
Seeing as I'm queen of the click bait.
Yeah.
He's the most principled journalist at the Herald.
Everyone knows it.
Well, this is what I've heard.
I was hoping for a sort of wide-ranging interview.
A profile piece, within which I will make my confession.
- Would that work for you? - It depends what you've done.
All right, I think I've seen enough.
Honestly, he's really good! Yeah, I know.
I mean, his politics are utter fantasy and I wish he'd get better shoes, but I can see he believes in what he does.
Which is all we need.
- We? - Yeah.
I'm ready to tell you both the truth.
- What? - What do you mean? I'm not what I seem.
- See you tomorrow.
- Bye.
Oh, hey, Holly! - Is Amina around? - Er, they've just left.
What's going on? We've got something.
I think you'll like it.
What? Where have you been? We went to have lunch with Wendy Bolt.
Wendy Bolt? She wanted to see James to vet him.
She said she had a big confession and she wanted to make sure he was as principled as everyone said.
So she asked him all these questions We don't want a Wendy Bolt story.
And then, at the end, she says she'll tell us the truth.
It's not a story about her, it's a story about her friend.
- Who's her friend? - Joshua West.
They know each other from charity things.
She feels sorry for him, for some reason he wanted James to interview him, and they worked out they had me as a connection.
He's up for coming in tomorrow for an interview.
- He asked for you specifically? - Yeah.
- This is - What? OK, what questions are you going to ask him? We'll ask about what he's done, about the women.
He'll tell you what he's done, it's all out there.
He'll say although it's not illegal, he'll point that out, although it's not illegal he can see how much harm it's done to those women and to his family.
We'll ask him about abusing his position of power.
He'll say he's addicted to sex and it's a problem he's entering rehabilitation for.
What else? - I thought you wanted to go after him? - I do.
Precisely because at the moment, it appears nothing will actually stick.
The Post's dropping this tomorrow, if he can ride it out one more day, get the most respected journalist at the Herald to interview him, he's home and dry.
It's a PR exercise.
Isn't that obvious? You know, even if he thinks it's a PR thing, it's an opportunity.
I'll do my best, I will work on the questions tonight.
- You are doing him a favour.
- It's my job to make sure that I'm not.
OK, night.
- What did she say? Your wife? - Not much.
I told her I had to work late and be in early tomorrow, with everything that's going on.
She was very understanding, actually.
I assume you want to talk about today? About you resigning.
You should apply for the job when I leave.
I haven't got any desire to replace you.
Do you know where I'm going? The London Opera.
Chief Executive.
Chance to open the whole place up.
Make a difference.
Make it more accessible.
Opera.
HE CHUCKLES Is this is this a game that you're playing with me? No.
You're going to leave the Herald and run an opera house? I've been on the board a few years, I know my way round.
- It is what people do.
- Not you.
Well, I've already given my resignation in, so But they haven't accepted it yet.
You can e-mail first thing and withdraw it.
Get on the front foot tomorrow.
I've had enough of responsibility.
- You thrive on responsibility.
- Clearly not any more.
Look at what I'm doing.
You're married.
I asked you to come here and you did.
But you're married to someone really nice.
I'm didn't come here You know why you're here.
We both know.
Don't you ever think, "Just let go"? Don't you ever want to stop thinking things through? Amina.
Stop.
- Stop.
- Why? - Stop, stop, stop! - Why?! Because, unlike Joshua West, I don't get off on having sex with vulnerable people.
Well I want to get drunk.
Let's drink.
I should go.
I'm going to go.
Hey! Hey, hey! Hey! Hey, hey! Put the plate down, put the plate down, put the plate down, put the plate down, come on.
Come on.
Hey.
- It's all a mess.
- Then do something! MUSIC:[ HUMAN BY SEVDALIZA.]
Can I join? Sure.
- You're Joshua West.
- That's right, and who are you? Hermione Granger, shhh.
- All right, how can I help? - I want to talk.
Police, fan, journalist? - A concerned citizen.
- Why concerned? Well they say you're being hounded by the paparazzi, thrown out of your marital home, hanging your head in shame.
But I was walking home, thinking, no, that's not your style.
"He made that statement.
He's very careful.
"He would've had that approved by his family before he did it.
" Your marriage is fine.
Isn't it? You're in here so they, they don't chase your wife and kids.
You've got costly lawyers, advisers.
They would have said, "You haven't done anything illegal, "just issue an apology, wait till the wind changes - "and then carry on, as you were.
" - Why does it matter to you? I believe in standards in public life.
- I didn't do anything wrong.
- The women beg to differ.
Nothing illegal.
The women were adults.
- Do you want us to? - No, it's OK.
- Are you recording this conversation? - No.
OK journalist.
I can sense your judgment of me.
But you have no idea.
Of how I live.
Of this world.
I can tell.
By your jumper.
Your shoes.
The quality of your skin.
This is all a dream for you and it always will be.
And you come here and you think it seems a fantasy, but let me tell you this is the real world.
Rooms like this are where real decisions are made.
People like you will only ever get a glimpse of it.
It's obscene.
It's magic.
Things can happen but with a word from me, they didn't.
Hey Like this.
And it seems you ARE recording it.
How were you planning to use that? Secret recording's illegal.
- There's ways.
- Tell me.
You leak it to a foreign website, they put it on the internet, you report that.
You lose some of the credit but at least you get to break the story legally.
Fascinating.
You see, it's magic.
You think this is happening, but it isn't.
It didn't.
No-one here saw anything.
No-one here knows what happened to your phone.
Stand up, please.
I'd do as he asks.
In case you're finding this intrusive, or demeaning, don't worry, it isn't happening.
You're a journalist.
I can smell it.
What paper? Ah, doesn't matter.
You wanted to record me saying dubious things.
That's why you came here.
Lied to me.
I came to look you in the eye.
Well, now you have.
And all your worst suspicions are confirmed.
But nothing you can prove.
Power trumps everything.
You know how you have to go outside to smoke? - How's the key working for you? - Good, thank you.
You can come here whenever you want.
- I don't want to intrude.
- You won't.
What? - What do you want me to do? - Just whatever.
- Make yourself a drink, put the TV on.
- OK? I've got this to be getting on with.
- Is this a game? - No.
You want me to distract you from your important work? It is important, actually.
It's the sales breakdown for the final quarter.
It's interesting.
You want to tell me about it? No, I I just want to read it.
Why did you call me? - Are you staying the night? - If you want.
Good, so take your boots off.
Just, just chill out and do what you want.
- Have you had a good day? - Yes, you? Actually yes.
- Thanks for asking.
- No problem.
Back late.
I haven't had sex in eight months.
- Right.
- We were going to have sex.
- Yeah.
- What happened? - Er you were really drunk.
- I'm not drunk now.
- Is that good? Is that good? - Shh, shh, shh.
Right.
It's a bit early, isn't it? I used to smoke 20 a day.
- I mean to be working.
- Not for me.
Has something happened? - You need to move out.
- Sorry? Right now.
Cos I'm working and I can't trust you.
I can't have you around here any more.
But you said You were doing your job, and I understand that you were thinking practically.
Well, I'm doing the same.
It's not practical to have you here in case you do it again.
Like you said, I'm better off alone.
- But last night - Was really good.
Now you go.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Look, I know yesterday was difficult, but we are back on track today, so business as usual.
- Yeah? - Yeah, sure.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Hi.
We spoke to Amina last night and she agreed so he's coming in, and he's going to be here in 20 minutes.
It's too good an opportunity to turn down.
- Even if the chance of him - Ask him about that instead.
I got up early and did some work.
Work that Amina told me not to do.
Work that isn't actually my job.
I ask him about this, he's going to leave immediately.
What's the alternative, James, that you don't ask him? What is it? Come on, I've worked hard for this.
Well, we have to.
What now? Just touring my favourite organization.
I find it fascinating.
- You're distracting them.
- Nonsense.
And even if I am I own them.
To what do I owe this reappearance? You've upset our Prime Minister and I want you to apologise.
Nothing public, you won't lose face.
Just give him a call, say sorry.
- We get back to normal.
- I'm doing my job.
Journalism, just what you wanted.
- I know, but he's proud.
- Me too! Proud as they get.
- Sorry isn't in my vocabulary.
- Well, it needs to be.
- Are you joking? - This is my serious face.
He also said there was a story you promised to keep quiet.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, you do, and I'd like you to keep that promise.
- Where's this coming from? - We have business together.
You're going to support him in the election.
Business together.
And you're a spanner in our works.
So apologise and move on, all right? - No.
- To keep your ego intact we both pretend you don't have a boss, that you have complete freedom, but the reality is Duncan I own you too.
Use my phone.
This is his number.
You'll get straight through.
I don't ask for much.
I really don't.
You don't mind about the camera? - You did agree we could film it? - Absolutely.
Sorry about the subterfuge in setting this up.
I had to be sure I could trust you.
And Wendy, for all her flaws, is pretty good at judging people.
Tell me about it.
Now, obviously, there's been a lot in the press over the last couple of days about the women who have come forward and accused you of grooming them, sleeping with them.
I believe there's 16 now.
Yes.
And, as I've said, I'm deeply sorry.
Although nothing I did was illegal, I know how much it's hurt people.
There's no excusing it, and I don't intend to.
Right.
I want to start by asking you about one woman in particular, who I don't think has come forward before now.
- All right.
- Sheena Patel.
- You know the name? - Yes, I know Sheena.
So you and her had a relationship? - Yes.
- Slept together? Yes, we did.
But she wasn't on the trainee programme, like the others? I Perhaps she No, I don't believe she was.
Actually, you met at a party, I think.
Can you tell me when that was? I can't remember exactly.
- Well, it's 13 years ago.
- If you say so.
- She's now 28 years old.
- Right.
Which means she was 15 when you met her.
That's right, isn't it? Have you spoken to her? Yeah, one of my colleagues spoke to her this morning.
She claims that you slept with her shortly after that party.
That you slept with her when she was 15.
Is that right? Sheena is a vulnerable person.
What makes you say that? She I'm surprised that she spoke to you.
I'm sure, as you've been paying her large amounts of money for the last ten years.
And you helped fund her university education, you helped her start her own business.
It's very generous.
I didn't sleep with her when she was underage.
She says you did.
And she's got some e-mails from you, around that time.
I don't recognise these.
Well, there's also some e-mails, which seem to imply that you wanted her to keep some kind of a secret.
I'm going to finish this now.
These are accusations of something criminal.
They are in fact libellous.
Only if they're not true.
You did agree I could ask you anything.
But this is a legal matter.
I'm going to need to consult my lawyers.
And here I am.
Magic.
They just told me, well done.
Thanks.
- They just told me, well done.
- Thanks.
You must've worked all night.
- Yeah.
Early start.
- Amazing.
And you got what you wanted.
Something to pin on him.
That's right.
Holly.
Do we have a problem? You told me not to look into it.
The only reason that Sheena's story was told properly - is because I ignored you.
- All right.
Well, I'm sorry If I hadn't done that, the whole paper would have been used to restore the reputation of a man who's abused at least 15 women.
- Are you resigning? - No.
I've thought about it overnight and I think it's important that I keep going.
- That we all keep going.
- I was saying that yesterday.
Before you put the apology on the front page.
- You're angry.
- Oh, you noticed.
Look, do you want to come into my office? - What's the problem? - Holly? You're not resigning, good for you.
But I am.
- Holly - I'll work my notice if you want me to, but I would rather just leave now.
- Why? - Because this whole thing is a mess.
We think that we're better, but we're not, we're just naive.
Ignoring the obvious.
Out of date.
Slowly fucking dying.
The Herald won't exist in two years' time and you know that.
Why are you pretending? - That's why things are going to change.
- Yeah.
Everybody knows you're sleeping together.
You think you're hiding it but you're not.
It's embarrassing.
Holly, you have clearly been finding things difficult I don't want to talk about it.
Perhaps some time away would be useful No, I want to go for good, right now.
- All right.
- Thanks.
Stop her.
- Stop her! - No.
Holly, Holly! Holly.
What's going on? - I've told Amina that I've had enough.
- What? I'm leaving.
Why? Everybody's talking about what just happened.
You got him.
He can't come back from that.
No? I told her that it would make a difference.
He'll be on the phone right now to his lawyer, making every effort to undermine her story.
We have no fucking power at all! PHONE RINGS Holly Evans.
Make me an offer.
MUSIC: [SHE BANGS THE DRUMS BY THE STONE ROSES.]
Did you hear Holly's started at the Post? Oh, Holly, no! - Why are you here? - I work here.
Special correspondent.
What bothers you so much? That I threw you out or I slept with you first? There were three stories I wanted to follow when I was at the Herald, but the people involved wanted money.
- But we're not so squeamish.
- A young Syrian called Adnan Homsi.
There's something else I want you to start with.
Find out what that is.
Said it might compromise the PM.
You wrote the Lyon's story yesterday.
- Yeah.
- Vicious.
What, he puts three people in the hospital, but we're bullying him? Today's saying our front page may have been a contributing factor.