New Scotland Yard: A Case of Prejudice (ITV 20 Oct 1972)

In A Case of Prejudice Kingdom and Ward investigate when a man is found murdered in the box office of a small scale theatre club. The victim is a black out of work actor. The detectives have to tread carefully as the club as already been the victim of racist attacks, the chief suspects are Leroy, the cleaner at the club, and a hoodlum who may be holding a racist grudge. Ward is convinced the cleaner is the killer in a case of robbery with violence leading to murder but Kingdom thinks the murder may be deliberate racist attack on a person of colour.

Once again Ward and Kingdom are very much at odds, this time over their handling of the chief suspect. Kingdom wants everything done exactly by the book whilst Ward seemingly has it in for the man based solely on the colour of his skin. There’s an interesting conversation the pair have when Ward basically accuses Kingdom of being prejudiced against white people because of the special treatment he seems to be giving Leroy (even though in reality he is just making sure the investigation is carried out correctly.)

There is a strong guest appearance from Rudolph Walker as the gent who runs the theatre club. He was just about to become a major star thanks to the success of Love Thy Neighbour, season two of which had finished just a few days (on the 16th Oct) before this episode aired.

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 20 October 1972 at 9.00pm

Writer: Stuart Douglass / Production Design: Roger Hall / Director: Oliver Horsbrugh

Series: New Scotland Yard Season 2 Episode 2

cast
John Woodvine as Chief Supt Kingdom
John Carlisle as Det Sgt Ward
Rudolph Walker as Henry Buckingham
Charles Hyatt as Leroy
Jay Neill as Station Sergeant
Colin Rix as Det Sgt Bates
Mark Heath as King Daniels
Ian Gelder as Andrew Perks
Antonina Pemberton as Mrs Possee
Vic Hunter as Doctor
Alan Surtess as Mr Possee