The Professionals (TV Series)

Not a Very Civil Civil Servant (1978)

Tony Church: Minister

Quotes 

• [Cowley has accused the Minister of corruption and withholding details of a murder. The Minister believes that he immune from the law] 

  Minister : [unconcerned]  What do you suggest I do?

  George Cowley : Resign. But we live in a world without much honour, where politicians hang onto office like dirty glue, so I don't suppose you will - blame is for others.

• [Cowley and the Minister seated in Mr. Repton's office] 

  George Cowley : I'm not quite with you Minister. As you know I'm not answerable to you or this department. Or Mr. Repton here widely known as the Cardinal Woolsey of this nation's spending in the building industry.

  Minister : Not a very civil civil servant are you?

  George Cowley : No. Mostly we don't have to be. So first, why us? Why not the Fraud Squad, Special Branch?

  Minister : Reasons of policy Mr. Cowley.

  George Cowley : The usual phrase for two coats of political whitewash.

  Minister : You are to hold a watching brief on the corruption case due to take place against Temple-Blake Limited.

  George Cowley : [Cowley evidently quotes Temple-Blake Limited's logo]  "We Build for Britain"

  Minister : Here is my specific authority from your own minister to involve CI-5 in this affair.

  George Cowley : I don't know what you mean by "watching brief"?

  Minister : Precisely that. To see that justice is done and blame apportioned accordingly.

  George Cowley : If you mean that I'm to see that none of it get shovelled anywhere near you or your department you've picked the wrong labourer. Because the minute my department gets packed in any politician's do-it-yourself image kit I get very angry indeed.

  [Cowley leans forward towards Minister] 

  George Cowley : And I know my way around the same corridors as you do.

  [Cowley leaves] 

  Repton : I can see the need for political insurance Minister, but Cowley is hardly the insurance broker I've have gone to.