´óÏó´«Ã½

The untold David and Goliath story behind the MPs' expenses headlines will be revealed in a new humorous drama for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Four written by Tony Saint (Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk To Finchley, Micro Men) and directed by Simon Cellan Jones (Generation Kill, The Trial Of Tony Blair, Our Friends In The North).

The Heather Brooke Story (working title) will follow the five-year campaign of American journalist Heather Brooke for the disclosure of MPs' expenses claims under the Freedom of Information Act – a battle that took her all the way to the High Court in a case against the House of Commons, and resulted in the biggest political scandal in recent history.

Heather Brooke, an American living in London, was writing a book on the Freedom of Information Act. In 2004 she approached the House of Commons asking about MPs' expenses, and found her legitimate requests declined.

As she stepped up her fight to see the information, the establishment closed ranks and blocked her all the way. Twice Members of Parliament tried to pass legislation exempting themselves from the Act. It was only when Heather took her case to the High Court and won that the process of scanning the receipts began.

Heartbreakingly for Heather, the release of these documents was then delayed leading to a whistleblower selling them to the Daily Telegraph. One of the biggest political news stories of the decade slipped through her fingers just as she was preparing to write it.

Richard Klein, Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Four, says: "This drama seeks to understand the story behind a serious subject by way of a witty interpretation of events. To that end I am delighted that Tony Saint is bringing his dry and acerbic sense of humour to the piece."

Patrick Spence, Head of Drama, Northern Ireland, says: "This film is going to be a celebration of good old-fashioned investigative journalism and of the power of this one dogged and spirited individual over the most powerful institution in the country."

Research and development has begun on the hour-long film, with shooting scheduled for December for transmission in early 2010.

The executive producer is Patrick Spence (Five Minutes Of Heaven, Occupation) and Stephen Wright (Five Minutes Of Heaven, Murphy's Law) is producing.

The Heather Brooke Story has been commissioned by Richard Klein and Ben Stephenson, Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Drama Commissioning, and is the latest drama commission for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Four which also includes Women We Loved season (Enid, Gracie!, Margot) The Curse Of Comedy season, Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk To Finchley, Barbara Cartland, Fanny Hill and Crooked House.

LH2

Information for viewers

More content about The Heather Brooke Story will be published, as transmission approaches, on this page: