UK Confidential

Episodes

1. 13

   1986

   Martha Kearney reviews secret government files from 1986 - the year of US air strikes against Libya, the Chernobyl disaster and a Royal wedding between Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. She discusses the annual release of official papers with three distinguished politicians from the time - former...

   Jan 11, 2016

   27m
2. 12

   30/12/2014

   Martha Kearney reviews today's release of secret government files from the mid 1980s. The year long miners' strike came to an end in 1985, but social unrest continued with riots in London leaving a policeman dead in Tottenham. Football hooliganism burgeoned, resulting in horrific scenes at the...

   Jan 9, 2015

   56m
3. 11

   1984

   Martha Kearney uncovers the secrets within the Government files of 1984. Margaret Thatcher's government faced some formidable adversaries. The long-anticipated battle with the National Union of Mineworkers and its leader, Arthur Scargill, finally erupted, dominating the political scene well into...

   Jan 10, 2014

   56m
4. 10

   1983

   Martha Kearney uncovers the secrets within the government files of 1983 - who said what in Cabinet, and what did the Prime Minister really think about the issues of the day? It was the year that Compact Discs and £1 coins were first sold in Britain. The country was introduced to the joys of wheel...

   Aug 1, 2013

   56m
5. 9

   1982

   With unique access to secret government papers, Martha Kearney presents a look at the political events of 1982 as told through the Cabinet minutes, Prime Ministerial papers and Foreign and Commonwealth Office documents and briefings that are being released to the public at the end of the year....

   Dec 28, 2012

   56m
6. 8

   1981

   It was the year of the Royal Wedding, urban riots and soaring unemployment. Leading economists despaired of the government's handling of the economy, while spending cuts were considered too deep, and relations with European allies fragile. This was 1981. Martha Kearney reviews newly-released...

   Dec 30, 2011

   56m
7. 7

   1980

   On the day that previously secret government files from 1980 are released to the public, Martha Kearney and guests discuss what they reveal about government thinking at the time. It was a year of government cutbacks, high unemployment and economic gloom. The newly-released papers highlight the...

   Dec 30, 2010

   56m
8. 6

   1979

   With unique access to Secret government papers, Martha Kearney presents a look at the political events of 1979 as told through the Cabinet minutes, Prime Ministerial papers and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Documents that are being released to the public at the end of the year. Domestic stories...

   Dec 30, 2009

   56m
9. 5

   1978

   It's the loneliest decision of all, they say, when to go for a general election. Turn the clock back thirty years and it was the big question facing the then Prime Minister Jim Callaghan. With industrial strife gripping the country, a slew of manufacturers on their knees asking Government for…

   more
   Dec 30, 2008

   57m
10. 4

    1977

    Martha Kearney presents a look at the political events of 1977, as told through the Cabinet minutes, Foreign Office documents and other Government papers that are released under the thirty year rule at the end of the year. Stories will include the Lib Lab pact, the question of when to go for a...

    Dec 28, 2007

    37m
11. 3

    1976

    Martha Kearney presents a look at the events of 1976, as told through the Cabinet papers, Foreign Office Documents and other Government papers that are being released released under the thirty year rule at the end of the year. UK CONFIDENTIAL features Harold Wilson's resignation and failing…

    more
    Dec 29, 2006

    36m
12. 2

    1975

    Martha Kearney looks at the events of 1975, as told through the cabinet papers, Foreign Office Documents and those of other Government departments that are released under the thirty year rule at the end of the year. UK CONFIDENTIAL features the aftermath of President Nixon's resignation over...

    Dec 31, 2005

    42m
13. 1

    1974

    1974 was a year of political confusion and domestic strife. There was the Three Day week, a Miners Strike and two General Elections as well as on-going problems over Northern Ireland and Cyprus, and an attempt to kidnap Princess Anne. With exclusive access to papers released by The National...

    Jan 1, 2005

    27m