Yes, Minister is a comedy TV series about the tension between a minister of the Crown and the civil servant responsible for his/her department. It's from the 80's, but still quite relevant if not in the exact same context. Some Americans have told me the civil service here is also quite oppressive. Anyways, Thatcher cut down on the Service's power a lot, but the tension still exists apparently.
Foreign Minister condemns Israel; Foreign Secretary* condemns Hezbollah
* Name for head civil servant of the Foreign Office.
Anyways, that just gave me a laugh.