Having won the leadership of his party through foul and devious scheming, the ruthless Francis Urquhart is newly installed as Prime Minister. But he is uneasy at the memory of Mattie, the young journalist he murdered on the way to the top, and facing criticism from a caring and honourable new monarch who’s appalled by his unfeeling, materialistic policies. However, Urquhart has lost none of his relish for the fight.

Prime Minister Francis Urquhart is troubled with past deeds, and faced with a king insistent that politicians should have the interests of the populace more at heart.

The antagonism between the caring king and his callous PM, Francis Urquhart, develops into full confrontation, as Urquhart accuses the king of trying to organise a bloodless coup against the government.