Bernard and Sir Humphrey in “The Whisky Priest”

Bernard

So what do we believe in?

Sir Humphrey

At this moment, Bernard, we believe in stopping the minister from informing the Prime Minister.

Bernard

But why?

Sir Humphrey

Because once the Prime Minister knows, there will have to be an enquiry, like Watergate. The investigation of a trivial break-in led to one ghastly revelation after another and finally the downfall of a president. The golden rule is don't lift lids off cans of worms. Everything is connected to everything else. Who said that?

Bernard

The Cabinet Secretary?

Sir Humphrey

Nearly right. Actually, it was Lenin.