Rumpole of the Bailey

The irascible solicitor takes on the defence of a Ministry of Defence worker alleged to have disclosed official tea‑related secrets, prompting a tense courtroom confrontation. This brief drama, presented as a British legal thriller, features Leo McKern in the cast.

Rumpole and the Official Secret is a self‑contained episode of the long‑running legal series, presented as a courtroom drama. The programme follows the familiar format of a single case, with the focus squarely on the solicitor who takes centre stage. Though brief, the episode retains the series’ characteristic blend of wit and legal rigour, positioning it firmly within the genre of courtroom storytelling. The central narrative sees the eponymous, somewhat crusty lawyer stepping in to defend a civil servant employed by the Ministry of Defence. The employee stands accused of breaching official secrecy by leaking confidential information – oddly enough, the material concerns the handling of tea. The case hinges on whether the disclosure truly constitutes a breach of state secrets, and the solicitor’s task is to untangle the legal nuances while navigating the Ministry’s bureaucratic machinery. Set entirely within the confines of a courtroom, the episode concentrates on the procedural back‑and‑forth between prosecution and defence. It showcases the lawyer’s characteristic bluntness and his willingness to challenge official narratives, even when the matter at hand appears trivial. The drama underscores the tension between governmental authority and individual rights, all framed by the seemingly innocuous subject of tea, and delivers a concise yet complete legal confrontation.