The Profumo Affair

The Profumo Affair could not have come at a worse time for the government or at a better time for the press. The Argyll divorce case had just ended when the first of the Profumo bombshells came, setting off a series of detonations which are likely to keep on for a long time, particularly since the scandal involves boy girl after a recent string of boy-boys —“a step in the right direction,” someone said.

The cause of the first explosion could hardly have been predicted. An unknown Negro from the underworld was charged with firing a gun for the purpose of inflicting bodily harm to a mistress who had discarded him. The case would have been worth no more than a half-column in the sensational press if it had not been for one thing. The faithless mistress was not present in court. Her name was Miss Christine Keeler (hereinafter to be called Keeler). Keeler had broken her recognizance and taken herself off to Spain. Why did she fly and who helped her? The hunt was up and the bloodhounds hard on the scent. (Profumo is the Italian word for scent.)

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Colm Brogan

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British Conservative Party

The Profumo Affair could not have come at a worse time for the government or at a better time for the press. The Argyll divorce case had just ended when the first of the Profumo bombshells came, setting off a series of detonations which are likely to keep on for a long time, particularly since the scandal involves boy girl after a recent string of boy-boys —“a step in the right direction,” someone said.

The cause of the first explosion could hardly have been predicted. An unknown Negro from the underworld was charged with firing a gun for the purpose of inflicting bodily harm to a mistress who had discarded him. The case would have been worth no more than a half-column in the sensational press if it had not been for one thing. The faithless mistress was not present in court. Her name was Miss Christine Keeler (hereinafter to be called Keeler). Keeler had broken her recognizance and taken herself off to Spain. Why did she fly and who helped her? The hunt was up and the bloodhounds hard on the scent. (Profumo is the Italian word for scent.)