Page 51 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
LS:So, you reckon there’s something extra shady about Harpinder Singh’s murder?
AB:About how it was reported. If police think Singh is killed by an organised crime group and they suspect Childs is involved with them, naming him is an attempt to flush him out. It ties in with what his widow said, about how he reacted to the piece and the fact he was under investigation when he died – but that was recently. Not eighteen years ago.
LS:There’s no byline. Let me ask around. [Oh great. One of you opens a bag of crisps. I expect a medal for transcribing under these circumstances. EC]
AB:Never mind why I left, why are you still there?
LS:Good question. Still waiting for my moment.
AB:You’re already editor.
LS:I meanthatstory. The one where you have it and no one else does. It’s yours to break.
AB:Is WembleyOnline the best place?
LS:Good as any. Shit, got to get back. On my own at the news desk. [Your goodbyes are followed by two whole minutes of thoughtful crunching. EC]
I sent him an email on 13 June but finally got a reply from Phil Priest, TV producer who worked on a drama inspired by the angels ten years ago:
TO:Amanda Bailey
DATE:5 July 2021
SUBJECT:Re: The Assembly
FROM:Phil Priest
Hi Amanda,
Good to hear from you. Thanks for watchingThe Assembly. Yes, it was inspired by the Alperton Angels, but we didn’t set out to make arealistic dramatisation and took a number of turns away from the real-life story.
All our victims are female, for example, so we could have more explicit scenes. The action takes place in Ireland, where it was cheaper to film. In real life the angels either killed themselves or were jailed. In our series the ground opens up and engulfs them in satanic flame, a finale we are still very proud of.
We kept in touch with Due Process Films who were makingDerelictionat the same time. Theirs is a much starker, grittier rendering. More realistic, though, dare I say it, boring. Our writer didn’t speak to anyone involved in the case so can’t see how I’d be of any further help. There was another script knocking around a few years ago. It was pretty good if I remember, but the writer was a beginner and didn’t have any traction. It was calledDivine. Can’t remember their name, sorry.
Phil Priest
Executive producer
Longshanks Film & TV
TV producer Debbie Condon also finally replied to my email of 13 June 2021:
TO:Amanda Bailey
DATE:6 July 2021
SUBJECT:Re: Dereliction
FROM:Debbie Condon
Dear Amanda,
Firstly, apologies for taking so long to reply. I am in pre-production for a new series and can only answer emails one day a week. I enjoyed your Suzy Lamplugh bookKipper Tied. It grates with me that most books and screenplays about murdered women are written by men. Happy to help wherever I can.
I’m so pleased you liked our TV series. It’s never an easy road when you’re bringing authority to account. These people think themselves above reproach. They make poor decisions and cause untold suffering among the most vulnerable in society – then band together to protect each other.Derelictionwas a labour of love that almost didn’t make it to the screen, as an altogether more cartoonish, salacious treatment ofthe same story was in production simultaneously. We came to a mutual agreement in the end. Collaborated to ensure we each focused on different elements of the story and as a result both series had their moment. I still think ours was the more mature and appropriate. It was hugely satisfying to speak truth to power.
Will you mention the series in your book? You are welcome to use any of the quotes above. I’m not sure how else I can help, but here’s my number if you have any questions. 07
