Heather Brooke: 'The truth is always far stranger than fiction'

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Investigative freelance journalist Heather Brooke's story will tonight be broadcast to the nation - in a BBC drama.

Brooke, who campaigned tirelessly for five years for the transparency of MPs' expenses using the Freedom of Information Act, is the "story behind the story", said 'On Expenses' producer Simon Cellan Jones.

"Everyone knows about the Telegraph scoop, but this is the story behind it and we wanted to tell it," he said.

Brooke told Journalism.co.uk she chose the BBC Northern Ireland team to make the film over other offers as "they have a track record in making compelling current affairs dramas."

"I'm pleased with the result though any drama is only an interpretation of character. The truth is always far stranger than fiction."

Brooke, who blogs at YRTK.org , said she hoped the film would help people understand the importance of investigative journalism and the role they play in holding political leaders to account: "If we don't want corruption then we each have some responsibility, if only to care about where our taxes are going."

'On Expenses' is on BBC Four at 9pm on Tuesday 23 February .