In 2005 dogged,recently-married American journalist Heather Brooke,having taken on her local council over better street lighting and won, publishes her book on the Freedom of Information Act, meeting barrister Hugh Tomlinson at the signing. Her next mission is to expose the hidden rights of Members of parliament,especially their expenses,which makes newly-appointed Speaker of the House Michael Martin very nervous. After all he claims for everything he can. Although his legal advisor Andrew Walker tells him this is Heather's right, Martin refuses to permit the disclosure of MP's expenses and, with Hugh as her mouthpiece,Heather forces a tribunal and, whilst not entirely successful, this does lead to the eventual exposure of MP's dishonesty as the story breaks in the press.