A Very English Scandal (TV Mini Series)

Episode #1.3 (2018)

Ben Whishaw: Norman Scott

Photos 

Quotes 

• [George Carman is questioning Norman Scott in court] 

  George Carman Q.C. : Mr Scott, I want to ask about what I suspect are a number of discrepancies in your statements concerning your night at Ursula Thorpe's house. To the police in December 1962, you said "I am almost certain that his penis did not go into my anus", but now you are claiming that penetration did take place, to the extent that you bit the pillow.

  Norman Scott : Well, that's easy. I didn't mention it in 1962 because buggery was illegal then. I would have been arrested - and so would he!

  [he points at Jeremy Thorpe in the dock] 

  Norman Scott : Jeremy Thorpe lives on a knife-edge of danger.

  George Carman Q.C. : Isn't this more a case of "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"?

  Norman Scott : Well, it would be, yes, except for one vital fact - I am not a woman.

  [laughter in court; in a break in proceedings, George Carman storms angrily from court to a private meeting with Jeremy Thorpe] 

  George Carman Q.C. : You could have warned me that Norman Scott is so fucking clever!

• George Carman Q.C. : What's your source of income?

  Norman Scott : Well, at the moment I'm getting money of TV stations for interviews.

  George Carman Q.C. : Then that makes you yet another profiteer with a vested interest in making money from savaging my client's reputation, does it not?

  Norman Scott : If they want to pay me, that's fine. That's not the point.

  George Carman Q.C. : [trying to prevent Scott from saying any more]  Thank you, Mr Scott, we've proved your motives.

  Norman Scott : No, but you need to know why.

  George Carman Q.C. : [interrupting]  M'lud, I think the witness might be permitted to explain?

  Sir Joseph Cantley : [reluctantly]  If we *must*.

  Norman Scott : If they're paying me, its because I can say the truth. I don't care about the money, but I do care about how men like me are shoved into corners and masturbated in the dark and then thrown out the door like we're dirt. Like we're *nothing*, like we exist. And all the history books get written with men like me missing. So, yes I *will* talk, I *will* be heard and I *will* be seen, Your Honour. You can pay me or not pay me, I don't care. But the one thing you will not do is shut me up.

  Norman Scott : [to George Carman]  Thank you. You may continue.

• [Norman Scott has just given his "I *will* be heard" speech in court] 

  Edna Friendship : [hugging Norman]  Norman! Oh, you little swine! You were amazing!

  Norman Scott : I was rude, I was vile, I was queer - I was myself.