Oct 13, 202310 min read

The Profumo Affair - The Fling That Brought Down The British Government

The true story of a 1960s public charade involving high-ranking politicians, British Military Intelligence, Russian spies, questionable socialites — and a young showgirl deemed a threat to National Security.

Rendition of Christine Margaret Keeler, the English model and showgirl, involved with John Profumo. (Photo made with Freepik. Courtesy of: Peter Deleuran).

The Profumo Affair was a major political scandal in the 1960s, involving the illicit affair of the UK War Secretary and a 19-year-old model, which ultimately led to the defeat of the conservative government.

A public charade, involving high-ranking politicians, British Intelligence (MI5), questionable socialites, Russian spies, and a young showgirl who was deemed a threat to national security.

It culminated with an embarrassing trial which has subsequently been widely regarded as a gross miscarriage of justice and characterized as a mere facade orchestrated by the establishment to safeguard its own interests.

The Key Players At the heart of the Profumo Affair was a web of complex relationships and characters. In order to understand the scandal, one must first become acquainted with its central figures.

John Profumo: The Secretary of State for War John Profumo, a charismatic and influential politician, held the position of Secretary of State for War in the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Born on January 30, 1915, Profumo hailed from a privileged background, making his debut in politics as a Member of Parliament in 1940. Throughout his career, he maintained a reputation for affability and charm. However, it was his personal life and his affair with Christine Keeler that would be his downfall. (In 2017, MI5 declassified papers suggesting that he had also had an affair with a Nazi spy during WWII).

Lord John Profumo, 1938. (Image source: Public Domain).

Christine Keeler: The Mysterious Showgirl The Profumo Affair’s catalyst was Christine Keeler, a young and aspiring model and topless dancer. Born on February 22, 1942, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, Keeler’s early life was marred by poverty, instability and sexual abuse. Her youth was marked by a long series of turbulent relationships, (including one with the violent musician, Aloysius “Lucky” Gordon). She later became associated with Stephen Ward, an osteopath and socialite, who introduced her to the top echelons of British society.

This iconic image of Christine Keeler became an immediate talking point when the Sunday Mirror published a stolen copy in May 1963, driving the Profumo story back onto the front pages. The photo propelled Arne Jacobsen’s Model 3107 chair to prominence, even though the chair used was an imitation. The image has been associated with the scandal ever since, and endlessly reprinted. Read the whole story about the photo here. Showing the photograph here helps the reader understand why it made such an impact, in a way that words alone do not convey. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons). Creative Commons license: Fair use.

Stephen Ward: The Enigmatic Osteopath Stephen Ward, a charismatic osteopath and artist, was a key figure in the Profumo Affair. Born in 1912, Ward was known for his connections to the aristocracy, the arts, and political circles. He became Christine Keeler’s “mentor” (later accused and convicted of being her pimp) and introduced her to extremely influential individuals in the British establishment. It was through Ward’s connections that Keeler came into contact with John Profumo.

As an artist, he had already done a series of portraits of the British Royal family and he had an interest in drawing portraits of Russian leaders. An editor introduced him to Captain Yevgeny Ivanov, who was an intelligence officer in the Soviet GRU and a spy. They became firm friends. MI5 was well aware that Ivanov was a spy and, hoping that he would be willing to defect, they enlisted Ward to assist them.

Stephen Ward. (Image source: Fair use Commons).

The Affair Unfolds The nexus of the Profumo Affair emerged during a party at Cliveden House, the country estate of Lord Astor, on 8–9th of July 1961. Astor was hosting this event in honor of Pakistani President Ayub Khan. It was at this event that John Profumo (then married to actress Valerie Hobson) first encountered Christine Keeler.

Profumo was immediately captivated by Keeler’s beauty — as she allegedly was skinny dipping in the large pool. The next day, the gathering was joined by Ivanov. Lord Tom Denning (a judge who later became famous for leading an investigation into the affair and wrote a bestseller book about it) was also present and described the afternoon as:

“a light-hearted and frolicsome bathing party, where everyone was in bathing costumes”.

Cliveden House, in Buckinghamshire, UK. (Image altered to B/W. Image source: Wikimedia Commons). Creative Commons license: CC BY 3.0. Deed.

Both Profumo and Ivanov showed great interest in Miss Keeler and Ward had Ivanov take her back to London where, supposedly, they had sex.

Ward reported back to MI5 that both men were ensnared, but MI5 viewed Profumo as a complication to their initial plan of using Keeler in a “honey trap operation”, to bring Ivanov to their side. He also reported that Ivanov had questioned him in detail about the deployment of nuclear weapons in West Germany.

Just a few days after the Cliveden soiree, Profumo contacted Keeler and the affair began. Profumo was cautious, keeping his involvement with Keeler a closely guarded secret. August 9th, 1961, one month after Cliveden, Profumo was interviewed by Sir Norman Brook, the UK Cabinet Secretary, who was aware of his connection with Ward and Ivanov. He warned him that MI5 did not know if they could trust Ward (and by extension Keeler). After the meeting, Profumo wrote a letter to Keeler that most believe was the end of the affair. However, this secrecy would unravel in the coming years, triggering a domino effect that would rock the British establishment.

“Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.”

― Christine Keeler

Rendition of Christine Margaret Keeler, the English model and showgirl, involved with John Profumo. (Photo made with Freepik. Courtesy of: Peter Deleuran).

The Scandal Breaks Less than one year later, the Profumo-Keeler-Ivanov triangle was making bylines in the gossip columns, and Keeler’s problematic romantic involvements intensified. She was having relations with two different men again. The violent, criminal musician Lucky Gordon, and the equally violent music promoter Johnny Edgecombe.

Their intense rivalry over Keeler escalated to the point where Edgecombe discharged gunfire at a residence where Keeler had sought refuge. This incident prompted a police inquiry, which subsequently piqued the media’s curiosity.

I have always been free with my love — it is my nature. I am easily captivated by men and they have always been attracted to me.

Christine Keeler

After the incident, (and very possibly due to her failed attempts at actress/model stardom), she began to openly converse about Ward, Profumo, Ivanov, and the shooting. Reporters quickly caught on and uncovered Keeler’s connection with Profumo.

Keeler tried to sell the story, but one newspaper informed Ward and Astor, who in turn informed Profumo. Profumo with his lawyer implored her not to go public, and she countered with a “compensation” so large that it bordered on extortion.

Rendition of Christine Margaret Keeler, the English model and showgirl, involved with John Profumo. (Photo made with Freepik. Courtesy of: Peter Deleuran).

Immense pressure from many sides was put on the collective media, who ultimately withdrew from the case. Keeler, now desperate, tried to push the story onto a police officer, who refused to contact either MI5 or the authorities above.

By now though, the cat was out of the bag. In March 1963, Profumo was questioned by the press about his connection to Keeler and whether he had compromised national security. His response was to deny, stating that there had been no “improper relationship” between them.

There was no impropriety whatsoever in my acquaintanceship with Miss Keeler… I shall not hesitate to issue writs for libel and slander if scandalous allegations are made or repeated outside the House”.

John Profumo

Unfortunately for Profumo, this denial was the beginning of the end. His false statement, in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary, set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead to his resignation, a scandal that would topple the British government, and a profound shift in the relationship between politics, the media, and public perception.

The Denials and Legal Proceedings With the media now circling like vultures, John Profumo continued to maintain his innocence, vehemently denying any wrongdoing. However, the mounting evidence made it increasingly difficult for him to sustain his façade. Pressure from within his own party, the Conservative Party, (who publicly supported him, but questioned him privately) and the wider political community mounted.

The House of Commons became a battleground, with opposition MPs pressing for answers and demanding a full inquiry into the affair. The public’s confidence in the government was eroding rapidly. In the midst of this maelstrom, Profumo was called to answer before the House.

Rendition of Christine Margaret Keeler, the English model and showgirl, involved with John Profumo. (Photo made with Freepik. Courtesy of: Peter Deleuran).

The Resignation of Profumo On the 5th of June, Profumo tendered his resignation from the position of Secretary of State for War, finally acknowledging that he had provided false information to the House of Commons concerning his involvement with Keeler.

The admission sent shockwaves through the political establishment. It was unprecedented for a Cabinet Minister to admit to such a scandal, and the consequences were inevitable. His departure was seen as an attempt to salvage what was left of the Conservative government’s reputation.

The Times called Profumo’s untruths “a great tragedy for the probity of public life in Britain”, while the Daily Mirror suggested that there were still “skeletons in many cupboards”.

Even a criminal has the right to a new life, but they made sure I did not have that. They just didn’t stop calling me a prostitute for ever and ever and ever and ever.

Christine Keeler

Lord Denning’s Inquiry into the Profumo Affair Paradoxically, as mentioned previously, Lord Tom Denning who was present at the Cliveden party, was on the 21st of June, 1963, instructed by Prime Minister Macmillan to investigate and report upon the many rumors. The full report can be viewed in the UK National Archives here.

Three pages (17,18 & 19) are of special interest in this regard:

Lord Denning’s Inquiry into the Profumo Affair: typed copy of the report. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. NATIONAL ARCHIVES UK: Licence in link.

Denning affirms the relationship between Keeley and Profumo, though he claims it was only of a sexual character. He dismisses any relation between Keeley and Ivanov and any connection between Ivanov and Profumo. He asks the question he believes to be one of the most central in the inquiry:

“Did Stephen Ward ask Christine Keeley to obtain from Mr Profumo information as to the time when the Americans were going to supply the atomic bomb for Germany?”

He downplays every answer by all three parties and firmly believes that if it was ever asked, it was never taken seriously nor acted upon.

Stephen Ward’s Trial The fallout from the Profumo Affair did not end with Profumo’s resignation. Stephen Ward was arrested and put on trial for charges related to his involvement in the scandal. Ward faced charges of “living off the earnings of prostitution” (essentially charged with being a pimp), and the trial became a media spectacle.

Keeler on her way to court. 1963. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons). Creative Commons license: CC0 1.0 DEED.

Tragically, as the trial proceeded, Ward’s life began to unravel. He became a pariah in British society, abandoned by many of those who had once enjoyed his company. On the 30th of July, 1963, just as the trial was in its final stages, Stephen Ward tried to take his own life, consuming a lethal dose of barbiturates. He was found guilty of the charge in absentia, and though sentencing was postponed, he died on the 3rd of August.

Political Fallout and National Impact The Profumo Affair had far-reaching political consequences. The Conservative government and its prime minister Harold Macmillan, (who had continuously supported Profumo), already facing internal divisions and economic challenges, struggled to regain public trust. Harold Macmillan’s personal involvement was described by David Watt in The Spectator as:

“an intolerable dilemma from which he can only escape by being proved either ludicrously naïve or incompetent or deceitful — or all three”.

The Labour Party and its leader, Harold Wilson, capitalized on the scandal to portray the Conservative government as “corrupt and out of touch”. The 1964 general election resulted in a change of government, with Labour winning a narrow victory. The Profumo Affair had played a major role in the downfall of the Conservative government.

Rendition of Christine Margaret Keeler, the English model and showgirl, involved with John Profumo. (Photo made with Freepik. Courtesy of: Peter Deleuran).

Media Revolution and Privacy Debate The Profumo Affair marked a turning point in the relationship between the media and politics. It demonstrated the power of investigative journalism in exposing political scandals, and it set a precedent for the media’s role in scrutinizing the private lives of public figures. The scandal engendered debates about the boundaries of journalistic ethics, privacy, and the public’s right to know.

In the years that followed, investigative journalism became more assertive, often willing to breach the boundaries of personal privacy in pursuit of a sensational story. The consequences of this approach were seen in subsequent political scandals, such as the Jeremy Thorpe scandal and the 1992 “Back to Basics” affair. The media’s appetite for scandal and its willingness to dig into the private lives of politicians were notably heightened.

Public Cynicism and Political Fallout The Profumo Affair left a deep scar on the public perception of politicians. It fueled widespread cynicism about the integrity of elected officials and their susceptibility to corruption. The perception that politicians were willing to lie, cheat, and engage in illicit activities for personal gain became entrenched in the public psyche.

The Conservative Party, which had borne the brunt of the scandal, faced an uphill battle in rebuilding public trust. Although the Profumo Affair was not the sole reason for the party’s defeat in the 1964 general election, it was a huge contributing factor. The public’s lack of faith in the Conservatives’ ability to govern effectively played a role in their electoral loss.

Social and Cultural Impact The Profumo Affair was not only a political scandal but also a reflection of the shifting social and cultural landscape of the 1960s. The scandal brought to the forefront issues related to sexual freedom and the changing dynamics of relationships in a rapidly evolving society. Christine Keeler, with her striking beauty and involvement with prominent men, became a symbol of the changing norms of the era.

Rendition of Christine Margaret Keeler, the English model and showgirl, involved with John Profumo. (Photo made with Freepik. Courtesy of: Peter Deleuran).

The End of an Era The Profumo Affair marked the end of an era of British politics, characterized by the perceived decorum and restraint of the post-war years. It ushered in a period of increased public scrutiny of politicians’ private lives and a more contentious relationship between politics and the media.

Conclusion The Profumo Affair, with its blend of sex, politics, and espionage, remains one of the most infamous scandals in British political history. It serves as a cautionary tale about the power of the media, the consequences of political indiscretion, and the enduring influence of a single, explosive scandal on the course of a nation’s history.