Impact on Stephen Ward’s trial
As an aside, much is made of the fact that when Lucky Gordon’s appeal was heard, the judge did not send a strong enough message to the ongoing case against Stephen Ward that Christine had lied.
Lord Parker’s note to Stephen Ward's trial regarding this appeal is ambiguous - “It might well be that the complainant’s, Ms Keeler, evidence was not completely truthful. It was not for the court to decide”.
It can be argued that his reading of the the original court transcripts, he also believed that the charges against Lucky where nevertheless true, and the essence of Christines testimony was accurate.
Lord Parker’s note to Stephen Ward's trial regarding this appeal is ambiguous - “It might well be that the complainant’s, Ms Keeler, evidence was not completely truthful. It was not for the court to decide”.
It can be argued that his reading of the the original court transcripts, he also believed that the charges against Lucky where nevertheless true, and the essence of Christines testimony was accurate.
|
It is interesting that SW, according the the police that night, posted bail for Gordon - and if Gordon testimony is correct
“Stephen Ward is the man who told me Christine wanted to see me, as the result of a telephone conversation, that night” (page 55 of transcript) Luck Gordon - WIth Christine and Gordons history, why would Stephen send Lucky to Christine? Gordon was also under the impression that CK was pregnant with his child and planning to abort that child that night. Where did Gordon hear that? |
Page 55 of court transcript
|
|
It is often argued that Stephen was wealthy in his practice - but police records, now made available indicate that his practice wasn't as successful as claimed
|
Metropolitan Police records released under Freedom of Information
|
Metropolitan Police records released under Freedom of Information
|
Insight into both Ward and Astor
|
|
Stephen Ward on “procuring girls”
|
Metropolitan Police records released under Freedom of Information
|
Metropolitan Police records released under Freedom of Information
|
Stephen Ward on being a spy
|
Christine as Prosecutions witness
|
There were early concerns that Stephen Ward was trying to, understandably, influence a chief witness against him.
|
|
Daily Herald 8th July 1963
|
Soon after Stephens pre-trial and just a few weeks before his full trial - Christine receives an indirect message from Stephen Ward
"..if you don’t put the blame on the police, he'll [Ward] get you as far as the Lucky Gordon case is concerned." - per CK account 1989 Message from Stephen friends Paul Mann Within a few days both John Hamilton Marshal and Robin Drury give statement to the police and press, discrediting Christine regarding the Gordon trial. Jul 6/7: John Hamilton Marshal gives a statement to police that he was in fact responsible for Christine injuries April 18. - (newpaper report Daily Herald 8/7/1963) Same weekend Robin Drury hands the tapes over to the police, having not received a pay off from Christine regarding a book deal. Robin Drury sold a story to the press saying - there was an orgy and no attack - two statements not supported by the tapes. |
There is little doubt that anything that could discredit, Christine, a chief witness against him would have been welcome to Stephen.
Both men would also sell stories to the the press after Stephen’s death either for there own finacial gain, or on vengeance for Stephen’s death.
Either way, the press coverage destroyed Christines reputation.
Both men would also sell stories to the the press after Stephen’s death either for there own finacial gain, or on vengeance for Stephen’s death.
Either way, the press coverage destroyed Christines reputation.