Yes Minister1980

James Hacker:
This can't go on, Humphrey!

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
I'm glad you said that, minister, because it isn't going to. We have just heard from the Special Branch that your protection is being withdrawn.

James Hacker:
Ah, now wait a minute. I... I... I didn't mean... But why?

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
Well, the police have suffered an acute personnel establishment shortfall.

James Hacker:
They what?

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
They're short-staffed, so they can no longer continue protecting you.

James Hacker:
Short-staffed?

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
Yes, because of the much more real and dangerous threat to the Soviet Premier at the Chequers meeting tomorrow.

James Hacker:
But he's Russian. I'm British.

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
Well, in fact, minister the special branch have reason to believe the threat to your life has been diminished.

James Hacker:
How do they know?

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
Surveillance. They overheard a conversation.

James Hacker:
What did it say?

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
Oh, I don't think it is of any imp...

James Hacker:
Come on, Humphrey, I have a right to know!

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
Well, it was a conversation to the effect that in view of the somewhat nebulous and inexplicit nature of your remit and the arguably marginal and peripheral nature of your influence on the central deliberations and decisions within the political process, that there could be a case for restructuring their action priorities in such a way as to eliminate your liquidation from their immediate agenda.

James Hacker:
They said that?

Sir Humphrey Appleby:
That was the gist of it.