Unlocking the past

Presenter Brian Walden reveals the stories of 1971

UK Confidential unearthed the secrets that politicians and others in high office might have preferred to keep hidden.

Thanks to government documents, released to the Public Record Office under the 30-year rule, it pieced together the real stories behind the headlines of 1971.

The programme, broadcast on New Year's Day, looked at what those highly-sensitive Cabinet papers and memos revealed about some of the most dramatic events of the year.

As political and economic dramas unfolded, how were senior politicians coping behind the scenes?

Key players who helped shape history that year, described to UK Confidential what was really going on behind the scenes.

You can watch the programme, presented by veteran political reporter Brian Walden, by clicking on the link shown on the right.

Extended versions of key television interviews, plus full text transcripts, are also available on demand.

In a video forum, former BBC news reader Richard Whitmore put your questions and comments to historian Lewis Baston.

Finally, test your knowledge of 1971 by clicking on "Quiz" shown on the right hand side.