David Tennant takes on former ambassador's story

Craig Murray

He is the man who spoke out against the government over human rights and stood as an independent candidate in last year's Norwich North by-election.

Now former British ambassador Craig Murray's two-year stint in Uzbekistan is to be chronicled in a radio play by acclaimed playwright David Hare - with former Dr Who star David Tennant taking on the leading role.

The play, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio Four on February 20, will feature the actor in one of his first roles since stepping down as the Timelord last year.

Mr Murray was withdrawn from Uzbekistan in 2004 after the Foreign Office became frustrated with his criticism of human rights abuses in the former Soviet country.

He also accused Britain of using intelligence extracted under torture by the Uzbek regime.

Since then he has become one of the most outspoken opponents of British foreign policy, standing against his former boss Jack Straw in the 2005 general election and as an anti-establishment candidate in last year's by-election following the resignation of Ian Gibson.

The former diplomat, whose mother lives in Sheringham, said he was flattered that Tennant had taken on the role, in the play which is based on his own book, Murder in Samarkand.

“It's quite remarkable, really; he was a really good actor in Dr Who, and I think we will recognise him as a great actor,” he said. “I've seen the scripts ever since the first draft and I've worked quite closely with David Hare, though I haven't heard the performance.

“It's a very interesting and well-balanced piece of work and David Hare also went to Uzbekistan and interviewed people who were there and were part of events.”

The BBC said the play would depict Mr Murray, who left his wife for a young Uzbek lapdancer, Nadira Alieva, whom he married last year, as a “flawed hero”.

“I think flawed is fair enough,” added Mr Murray, who also revealed that he was stepping back from politics and was not planning to stand in the forthcoming general election.

“I'm not planning to run again. The system is so weighted against independents, it's like hitting your head against a brick wall,” he said.