Portillo's State Secrets

Michael discovers the secret files of Britains last hangman, takes a look at private letters sent to Sherlock Holmes, and examines the hidden history of murderer Dr Crippen.

Michael finds out about the secret war on the Rolling Stones and how Special Branch spied on a future king.

Michael learns about the secret documents that show why the country didn’t boycott Hitler’s Olympics and he finds out about Churchill’s attempt to ban the world’s first black heavyweight champion.

Michael takes a look at files from the National Archives that relate to the monarchy as he learns about a speech that would have been read by the Queen in the event of a Third World War happening.

Michael takes a look at how Mary Whitehouse defended God in a court of law and learns more about the last woman to be imprisoned under the Witchcraft Acts.