K is for... Kelner

 

Kelner was Castellan at the time of the Doctor's elevation to President of the High Council of Time Lords.

The Castellan was responsible for security in the Capitol, overseeing the Chancellery Guard.

Unlike his predecessor Spandrel, Kelner was a devious and untrustworthy individual who was prepared to ally himself with whoever he thought would benefit his own career.

The Doctor had stood as President on the death of the last incumbent, but had left Gallifrey before an election had taken place. Cardinal Borusa assumed the Chancellorship and was running the High Council as acting President. The Doctor arrived one day and claimed the position, and so Kelner automatically allied himself with him. The Doctor started acting in an autocratic manner, which Kelner admired. He made use of the Doctor's actions to get rid of some of his own political opponents, exiling them from the city.

When it turned out that the Doctor was really acting on behalf of a belligerent alien race - the Vardans - whom he allowed to invade the Capitol, Kelner easily transferred his allegiance to them. Never totally trusting the Doctor, he started working against him. The Vardans were defeated, but it transpired that they had been acting as a diversion for a Sontaran invasion. Kelner changed sides and assisted Commander Stor.

Presumably his treachery would have seen him deposed from his role once the Sontarans had been defeated.

Played by: Milton Johns. Appearances: The Invasion of Time (1978).

• Johns had previously played villainous roles in The Enemy of the World and The Android Invasion.
• He's one of that select band of actors who have made multiple appearances in Doctor Who, and who have also portrayed Imperial Officers in The Empire Strikes Back.