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Episode One

Cliff Lawton, the Minister for Social Affairs (Tim Bentinck), is having a meeting with Number Ten's Chief Political Advisor - Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi).

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There have been press rumours that the Minister is to be sacked. Lawton is told that none of these stories have come from Number Ten.

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However, now they're out there, Number Ten would look weak not to sack him. He's given the opportunity to 'resign' before he is sacked, although obviously they'll be telling the press that he jumped before he was pushed.

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His replacement as Minister, Hugh Abbot (Chris Langham), takes office. Bored of spinning out his predecessor's Departmental line, he finds a new policy to announce - the Snooper Force.

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The decision is made to ignore Governmental procedure and move full steam ahead with press releases - leaving Terri Coverley, the Press Secretary (Joanna Scanlan), concerned about revenue implications. The Department's response is 'F*** the revenue implications… bounce the Treasury.'

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Abbot and the Senior Policy Advisor, Glenn Cullen (James Smith), are chuffed with their new policy. But as they prepare to deliver a press launch, their hopes are quashed.

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They receive a furious call from Tucker. Where did this policy come from? Did the PM approve it? When is 'should' a 'yes'?

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But how can they stop the media wheel from turning? Will the press be able to see through the cover-up? And how many shit sandwiches can you feed your allies and enemies before they turn on you?