The Profumo affair was a major political scandal that rocked the British government in 1963. At the center of the scandal was John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War in Harold Macmillan's Conservative government. The scandal involved Profumo's sexual relationship with a young model and showgirl named Christine Keeler.
Christine Keeler, born in 1942, had a troubled childhood and began working as a model and showgirl as a teenager. She met Dr. Stephen Ward, an osteopath and socialite, who introduced her to high-society circles in London. Through Ward, Keeler met John Profumo in 1961 at a pool party at Cliveden, the Buckinghamshire mansion owned by Lord Astor.
Profumo and Keeler began a brief affair, which ended in 1962. However, Keeler was also involved with Yevgeny "Eugene" Ivanov, a Soviet naval attaché and suspected spy. This raised concerns about a potential security risk, as Profumo had access to sensitive government information.
Dr. Stephen Ward played a central role in the scandal. He was known for his connections to the wealthy and powerful, and he often introduced young women like Keeler to his high-profile friends. Ward was also a part-time MI5 informant and had a keen interest in politics.
In addition to her relationships with Profumo and Ivanov, Keeler was also linked to Aloysius "Lucky" Gordon, a Jamaican jazz singer and petty criminal. Gordon had a history of violence and had previously assaulted Keeler.
The scandal erupted in 1963 when Keeler's involvement with Profumo and Ivanov became public knowledge. Profumo initially denied any impropriety in the House of Commons but later admitted to lying and resigned from his position. The scandal led to a crisis in Macmillan's government and contributed to the Conservative Party's defeat in the 1964 general election.
Dr. Stephen Ward was arrested and charged with living off the earnings of prostitution. He took a fatal overdose the night before the final verdict in his trial. Christine Keeler and her friend Mandy Rice-Davies, who was also involved in the scandal, gained notoriety and became the subject of intense media scrutiny.
The Profumo affair highlighted the interconnected nature of sex, power, and espionage during the Cold War era. It also exposed the hypocrisy and double standards of the British establishment and had far-reaching consequences for the government and society as a whole.
