In 1961 in one of the biggest political scandals of the 20th century, 18-year-old model and call girl, Christine Keeler had an affair with a government minister, John Profumo. Encouraged by her patron, Stephen Ward, she was also carrying on a relationship with an official at the Soviet Embassy in London.
Keeler's liaison with Profumo was brief. But Profumo lied to the House of Commons about his affair, and in June 1963 he was forced to resign his post on the grounds that he posed a threat to national security. Ward was investigated for living off immoral earnings and committed suicide in August 1963. In December, Keeler was found guilty of perjury in another court case and sentenced to 9 months in prison.
In the late 80s, Keeler's autobiography and the film, Scandal in which she collaborated revived interest in the events and raised doubts about the charges made against her and Ward. Her latest book, Christine Keeler, The Truth At Last (2001) continues to raise questions about the case which cannot be verified until 2046 when official papers will be released.
