A character in Yes, Minister
Played by Diana Hoddinott
Yes, Minister · 89 quotes
4th most-quoted character in Yes, Minister: in 4 of its 89 quotes
Most scenes with: James Hacker (3), Bernard Woolley (2)
[The Minister is already double-booked when his wife reminds him of another prior engagement.]
[on the phone] Bernard? Yes, it's me. Look, I'm going to have to cancel tomorrow. Swansea and Newcastle. Well, you see, it's my wife's wedding anniversary tomorrow.
It's yours, too!
And mine, too, actually. Yes, it is...What do you mean, "coincidence"? Don't be silly, Bernard!
[It is 2 a.m, and Hacker has just made a phone call to a sleepy Sir Humphrey.]
[hangs up] Oh, damn! I meant to tell him to come and see me about it before Cabinet.
Don't ring him now!
No, perhaps you're right. It is a bit late.
Give him another ten minutes.
[Bernard is waiting at the Hackers' flat for the Minister to come home]
He's obviously been held up. You can stamp some of these cards for me while you're waiting if you like.
Oh, but aren't they to constituents?
Yes.
Well, that's not government business, Mrs Hacker, that's political activity. I'm not allowed to help with the Minister's political activities.
Suppose they were all to journalists?
Oh, that would be alright.
They're all to journalists.
Fine. I suppose licking is an essential part of relationships with the press.
[Discussing possible reasons for the Prime Minister's early retirement]
Minister, I've heard something quite different.
What?
That there is £1 million worth of diamonds from South Africa in a Downing Street safe, but of course it's only a rumour.
Is that true?
Oh, yes.
So, there ARE all those diamonds in Downing Street!
Are there?
You just said there were.
No, I didn't.
Yes, you did! You said you'd heard this rumour, I said is it true, you said yes!
I said yes, it was true that it was a rumour.
You said you heard it was true!
No, I said it was true that I heard it!
I'm sorry to cut into this important discussion, but do you believe it?
I believe I heard it. Oh, about the diamonds. No.
Is it impossible?
No, but it's never been officially denied. First rule in politics: never believe anything until it's officially denied.
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