EastEnders clears up confusion over Billy and DCI Keeble

EastEnders spoilers from Tuesday's episode (September 6) follow.

EastEnders has explained why DCI Keeble is blaming Billy Mitchell for the tragic death of her father.

Monday's special flashback episode showed that Phil, Grant and Sam's villainous father Eric Mitchell killed Keeble's dad by shooting him in 1979.

The shocking incident took place as the Mitchells carried out a criminal raid at a warehouse and were interrupted by Keeble's father, who was working as a security guard at the time.

Keeble told Phil that she wanted him to provide enough information to ensure that Billy is sent to prison, but it wasn't immediately clear why she was pointing the finger at the wrong man.

samantha keeble, phil mitchell, eastenders

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In Tuesday's episode, all became clear as Keeble told Phil that Billy played a key role in the tragedy.

When Phil described Billy as "harmless", Keeble replied: "Actually, he procured the firearm. There's a witness statement that goes years back – Billy Mitchell bought the weapon. It's all there in black and white."

Keeble needed corroboration from Phil to secure a conviction, but he remained reluctant to work with the police.

Becoming more ruthless with her tactics, Keeble threatened to set up Phil's fiancée Kat Slater on false drugs charges if he didn't start cooperating with her.

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Phil still refused to budge, so Kat was soon arrested as Keeble's sly plan played out. When Phil had second thoughts and begged Keeble to call off her scheme, Kat was told that she was free to go.

In another tense chat, Phil told Keeble that Eric was responsible for her father's death, rather than Billy.

This failed to make the impact that Phil had hoped for, as Keeble vowed to keep targeting Billy regardless.

Keeble reasoned: "Your father's dead. That's no good to me. Billy sourced the gun, he gets to pay.

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"You want the truth? I don't care about Billy. All I care about is you, and that look on your face betraying your own flesh and blood."

Keeble stepped up her threats further by vowing to spread the word that Phil is a "grass", despite his desperate protests that criminals would kill his family in retaliation.

Later, Phil returned home and told Kat everything. However, the Walford hard man appeared to now have a murderous plan of his own, sharing how far he'd be willing to take his feud with Keeble.

He admitted: "I said I'd do it. I gave her a statement, alright, but I ain't going to go through with it. I'll retract the statement in the court at the last minute."

As Kat pointed out that Billy could get sent down, Phil warned: "If it does [happen], she's dead. She's a dead woman."

EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.