Line of Duty fans spot throwaway line that could give away corrupt officer’s identity

‘Definitely bent,’ wrote one viewer

Line of Duty fans have noticed a line of dialogue in the latest episode that seemingly points to the identity of a traitor within the police.

Spoilers follow for Line of Duty, series six, episode six...

While series six has already seen several corrupt members of the Hillside Lane police station uncovered by AC-12, including Acting DSU Jo Davidson (Kelly Macdonald), DSU Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle) and PC Ryan Pilkington (Gregory Piper), many fans think there’s another in the mix.

According to the fan theory, the dodgy copper is none other than DS Chris Lomax (Perry Fitzpatrick), the officer who has been seen working closely with DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) throughout the season.

Fans speculated that Lomax could be bent after the last episode, having noticed a visual similarity between Lomax and a photo of one of the suspects in the historic Lawrence Christopher murder.

While that may seem like a stretch, it’s worth remembering that Lomax’s picture was included on AC-12’s investigation board. And now, one moment in episode six has provided the biggest hint yet that Lomax may have ties to the OCG (organised crime group).

Near the end of the episode, Lomax is seen at the OCG workshop, as a police forensic team comb for evidence.

At the start of the scene, he is heard telling a colleague that they could “be in the Red Lion by 8pm”.

As some viewers pointed out, the Red Lion is the pub in which Carl Banks bragged about murdering Gail Vella earlier this season, leading some to suspect it is a common OCG meeting ground.

Lomax (Perry Fitzpatrick) alongside Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) in episode six (BBC)

Viewers pointed out the coincidence on social media.

“So he’s a regular at the pub the CHIS was last seen alive in, and the same pub that they found the ‘witness’ who was incriminating Terry Boyle,” wrote one viewer. “Definitely bent!”

“Lomax said ‘Meet you at the Red Lion’.....is that the same pub someone was boasting about killing Gail Vella at? An OCG haunt?” queried someone else.

It’s worth noting that while the Red Lion is the most popular pub name in Britain, it is unlikely that Lomax could have been referring to another venue (as one person suggested).

Line of Duty concludes at 9pm on Sunday 2 May on BBC One.