Bernard Qualtrough
Encyclopedia
Bernard Qualtrough is a fictional British spy appearing in series 7 of the BBC
television drama Spooks
(known as MI-5 in the United States). The character was played by Richard Johnson
.
In series 7, Bernard is in his retirement and is approached by his protege Harry Pearce
about operation Sugar Horse. This operation recruited sleeper agents
in the (then) Soviet Union
so they would rise to positions of influence before being activated. Harry is concerned that the operation, which he describes as the most important that MI5 has undertaken, has been compromised.
Bernard suggests Connie James
as a likely suspect after dismissing the possibility that Richard Dolby could have betrayed the operation.
Harry arranges for Connie's home to be searched and eventually, after a confrontation with her, discovers a cassette tape from the deceased head of the operation saying that Connie knew nothing of matters that he had discussed with Harry.
Harry accepts this as proof of Connie's innocence but is eventually persuaded by Lucas North
that Bernard is a mole. Lucas tells Harry that while imprisoned in Russia, he heard the Russian codename Pilgrim used during his interrogation by the FSB, and he has found evidence in the archive that points to Bernard.
Eventually it turns out that both Bernard and Connie were working in concert for the FSB. Although Connie dies at the end of series 7, the fate of her co-conspirator is not made clear.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television drama Spooks
Spooks
Spooks is a British television drama series that originally aired on BBC One from 13 May 2002 – 23 October 2011, consisting of 10 series. The title is a popular colloquialism for spies, as the series follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters, in a...
(known as MI-5 in the United States). The character was played by Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson (actor)
Richard Johnson is an English actor, writer and producer, who starred in several British films of the 1960s and has also had a distinguished stage career. He most recently appeared in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.-Life and career:...
.
In series 7, Bernard is in his retirement and is approached by his protege Harry Pearce
Harry Pearce
Sir Henry James "Harry" Pearce KBE is the fictional head of the Counter-Terrorism department of MI5, featured in the British television series, Spooks...
about operation Sugar Horse. This operation recruited sleeper agents
Sleeper agent
A sleeper agent is a spy who is placed in a target country or organization, not to undertake an immediate mission, but rather to act as a potential asset if activated...
in the (then) Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
so they would rise to positions of influence before being activated. Harry is concerned that the operation, which he describes as the most important that MI5 has undertaken, has been compromised.
Bernard suggests Connie James
Connie James
Connie James played by Gemma Jones is a fictional British MI5 spy in the BBC television series Spooks.-Introduction to the Team:According the BBC website, Connie joined MI5 as a secretary when she was 19 in 1963. She was first seen in episode 2 of Series 6, brought in as a regular female lead...
as a likely suspect after dismissing the possibility that Richard Dolby could have betrayed the operation.
Harry arranges for Connie's home to be searched and eventually, after a confrontation with her, discovers a cassette tape from the deceased head of the operation saying that Connie knew nothing of matters that he had discussed with Harry.
Harry accepts this as proof of Connie's innocence but is eventually persuaded by Lucas North
Lucas North
Lucas North, formerly known as John Bateman, is a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series Spooks , which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division of MI5. North is portrayed by British actor Richard Armitage...
that Bernard is a mole. Lucas tells Harry that while imprisoned in Russia, he heard the Russian codename Pilgrim used during his interrogation by the FSB, and he has found evidence in the archive that points to Bernard.
Eventually it turns out that both Bernard and Connie were working in concert for the FSB. Although Connie dies at the end of series 7, the fate of her co-conspirator is not made clear.