Special Branch: Not To Be Trusted (ITV 23 Sep 1970, with William Lucas)

In Not To Be Trusted top scientist Dr Clifford is due to give a talk in Budapest but Moxon considers him a possible security risk and tells his boss Sir Hugh Lodge he mustn’t be allowed to go. A secretary who worked at the research station with Clifford and who was arrested by Special Branch some months prior has now named him as a person of interest to the Russians.

Dr Clifford is told to take a few days off and plans to spend some time on his boat. When Jordan begins trailing him he is surprised to find the married Clifford cosying up to beautiful Scandinavian girl Karin. Clifford, who thinks Jordan is a private detective sent to snoop by his wife, tells him his relationship with Karin is purely platonic.

Jordan digs into Karin’s background and discovers she is married and has been under investigation by the Swedish equivalent of Special Branch. William Lucas as Dr Clifford.

Another strong guest appearance from William Lucas as the troubled Dr Clifford and there is also a guest appearance from the lovely Alethea Charlton as his wife. Charlton, who made her biggest impact in the series Sam, died in 1976 at the age of 44 from a malignant melanoma.

Polish born Ania Marson, who plays the Swedish Karin, popped up in guest roles throughout the seventies on shows as diverse as Target and Within These Walls before taking time out for motherhood. In the last few years she has made a return to the small screen. Ania Marson as Karin

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 23 September 1970 at 9.00pm

Writer: Martin Worth / Production Design: Peter Le Page / Director: Guy Verney

Series: Special Branch Season 2 Episode 7

cast
Derren Nesbitt as Elliot Jordan
Fulton Mackay as Inman
Morris Perry as Moxon
Ronald Russell as Sir Hugh Lodge
William Lucas as Dr Clifford
Alethea Charlton as Brenda Clifford
Ania Marson as Karin
Emrys Jones as Falcon
Denis Goacher as Schaeffer
John Moore as Yachtsman
Maureen Davis as Gillian Heyman