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A British politician fakes his own death.

A biography of Labour MP John Stonehouse, concentrating on his attempt in 1974 to fake his own death by appearing to drown in the sea. Made to complement the dramatisation Stonehouse (2023) which was shown on the preceding three nights.

After the Labour Party lose the 1970 General Election, Labour MP John Stonehouse becomes the scapegoat. With rumours of fraud and worse circulating, he hatches an outlandish plan to escape his troubles.

When John--now hiding out in Melbourne--attracts the suspicions of the local police, his wife Barbara and his secretary and mistress Sheila both fly out to Australia to confront him.

With Harold Wilson's fate undetermined and Barbara wondering if her marriage is worth saving, John and Sheila go on trial to face the consequences of their actions. Despite the Judge's warning, John decides to mount his own defence.