TV Quote of the Day (‘Yes, Prime Minister,’ In Which a High-Level Leaker Is Not Just Caught Out But Embarrassed)

[Sir Humphrey Appleby makes several highly indiscreet, "off-the-record" statements regarding government policy on unemployment and the media during an interview for a BBC radio documentary. implying the government lacks courage and that the true, harsh nature of unemployment policy is hidden. A tape of this outtake is sent to Humphrey, and the Prime Minister, Jim Hacker, obtains it, using it to blackmail Humphrey, turning the tables on his often-manipulative Cabinet Secretary.]

James Hacker [played by Paul Eddington, back turned in picture]: “How did your broadcast go?”

Sir Humphrey Appleby [played by Nigel Hawthorne, facing in picture] [quickly]: “Oh, very well, very well.”

Hacker [smiling, waiting to pounce]: “What did you say?”

Sir Humphrey: “Oh, nothing in particular. I think I pointed out some of the difficulties in allocating responsibilities as between [waving hands quickly] politicians and civil servants.”

Hacker: “But you were discreet?”

Sir Humphrey [more nervously]: “Why do you ask?”

Hacker: “Were you or weren't you?”

Sir Humphrey: “Yes!”

Hacker: “Yes you were or yes you weren’t?”

Sir Humphrey: “Yes.”

Hacker [prodding, with a cunning smile]: “Humphrey…”

Sir Humphrey: “Oh yes. Well, didn’t you expect me to be discreet?”

Hacker: “Well, yes, of course.”

Sir Humphrey [quickly trying to conclude this]: “Well, there you are, then!”

Hacker: “Well, that's all right, isn’t it?” [Sir Humphrey relaxes and smiles, thinking he’s escaped danger.]

Sir Humphrey: “Why do you ask, Prime Minister?” [He starts to sit down at last.]

Hacker: “Well, it's just that the BBC sent me a tape…” [Sir Humphrey shoots out of his seat, alarmed.]—Yes, Prime Minister, Season 2, Episode 8, “The Tangled Web,” original air date Jan. 28, 1988, teleplay by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, directed by Sydney Lotterby

I wonder if a variation of this scene occurred recently on this side of the Atlantic Ocean? You know how the Trump Administration used a Politico story to justify denying it access to the White House grounds—all because of it having allegedly “threatened national security and/or spread falsehoods”?

Well, guess who the (once anonymous) source of that story was? None other than J.D. Vance, who, according to this Daily Beast article, wanted to put a positive spin on ongoing peace negotiations with Iran.

It all goes to show that when it comes to secrets divulged, Washington leaks from the top. Vance would just be the latest member of what the late great syndicated satirist Art Buchwald, back in March 1983, referred to as “the National Council of Office Leakers,” which meets weekly “and is chaired by a very high White House source.”