What the campaign is about |
The campaign for Christine concentrates on the trial “Metropolitan police against Lucky Gordon” and not the Stephen Ward trial.
The case against Lucky Gordon led to Christine’s prison sentence and her conviction for perjury. This conviction for perjury took away Christine’s ability to defend herself from some of the lies that have been told about her, it has also given some historians and journalists scope to dismiss Christine’s version of events as lies from a convicted perjurer. Perversely, Christine’s conviction for perjury has since been used as the legal basis for Stephen Ward's conviction to be overturned.
The case against Lucky Gordon led to Christine’s prison sentence and her conviction for perjury. This conviction for perjury took away Christine’s ability to defend herself from some of the lies that have been told about her, it has also given some historians and journalists scope to dismiss Christine’s version of events as lies from a convicted perjurer. Perversely, Christine’s conviction for perjury has since been used as the legal basis for Stephen Ward's conviction to be overturned.
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In December 1963 Christine pleaded guilty to the crime of perjury - she took a deal and did not contest the charge as she had been advised that her best course of action to avoid a long prison sentence was to plead guilty and beg for the court's mercy. At this time Christine was a pariah in the minds of the press and public and a fair trial would have been impossible.
As Christine pleaded guilty, the full details of her perjury did not play out in court. The AssaultChristine was living on the first floor of 33 Devonshire Street with a friend, Paula, and John Hamilton-Marshall. There was also a housekeeper, Olive Brooker.
A few days earlier, on 12 April, Lucky Gordon came to 33 Devonshire Street looking for Christine, where he assaulted John Hamilton-Marshall and the police were called. It is unclear if Lucky Gordon is charged for this crime. On 17 April, Stephen Ward stands surety (bail) for Lucky Gordon and he is released from custody. In court Lucky Gordon said “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) On the same day, John Hamilton-Marshall and Christine argue and slap each other, either because he has said something nasty his sister, Paula or because JHM had gone through Christine' s mail. It's unclear which. However, they wrestle on the couch and Paula and Olive pull him away from Christine. She is left with a small cut above her right eye. Over the next two hours Paula invites two friends over Rudolph “Truello” Fenton and Clarence Camacchio. Christine meets them for the first time and after midnight they all plan to go to Christine's flat and carry on dancing. Christine leaves the flat first but Lucky Gordon is waiting outside. They exchange words and he attacks her, slaps her and pushes her into a door or to the floor. He also kicks her in the chest after Christine falls into a “case” left in the hallway. Lucky Gordon then chases her upstairs and she falls over on the stairs. - this is all confirmed by Christine, Paula (who turned and ran upstairs after the first punch) and later in court both Fenton and Camacchio. The LieChristine's lie, that she and Paula shut the door on Lucky Gordon and keep him out.
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Page 28 from transcripts of Lucky Gordon Court case example of perjury
Page 34 from transcripts of Lucky Gordon Court case “didn’t I slap her”
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The Truth
On oath Camacchio said Christine had no signs of a struggle or blood visible - this is after the struggle with John Hamilton Marshal
Fenton (one of the witnesses) was clear, his testimony would not have changed a thing
Daily Express reports from 3rd Oct 63 Trial
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The truth - Fenton and Camacchio were on the stairs, dumbstruck by the vicious assault for a few moments until they stepped forward to hold him back and send him on his way.
Importantly both witnesses agree with Christine that she was attacked by Gordon and at her later trial will confirm Christine version of events on oath. Reporting - Camacchio evidence in court ""We went downstairs, Miss Keeler in front. Fenton and I followed and Miss Marshall was behind. Miss Keeler opened the door and 'Lucky' Gordon rushed in. Miss Keeler screamed. He stayed there and said: "I want to talk to you." Keeler had then said: "I do not want to talk to you," or something like that. Gordon grabbed Miss Keeler by the arm..They struggled and fell to the floor.. Mr Camacchio said that Keeler crawled upstairs.. "The Daily Telegraph" report on 7 December 1963 included the words: "according to Camacchio, Gordon grabbed Keeler and struck her." The police are called at 12.45 am, but both Fenton and Camacchio beg Christine not to tell the police they were there, one is on probation the other is a married man and importantly both are West Indian in 1960 London and nervous of the police. Christine had only just met the two men and believes their involvement is incidental anyway. So when the police arrive she tells them the lie. Dr Francis Hughes examines Christine's injuries and confirms an assault. On the 19th April Lucky Gordon is arrested for assault on Christine. He is interviewed and also gives a statement to Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert on the sepoerate Stephen Ward case. At trial, Lucky Gordon maintained that he was not responsible for all of her injuries, however in court he did concede that he attacked her, that he ‘slapped’ her and she had sustained injuries. (page 34 of testimony). When Christine was asked about the two witnesses she and says they weren’t there, For this she will later be charged with perjury (page 28 of testimony). |
28th Oct 1963 - police testimony in CK perjury trial “she had been assaulted”
In the Judges summing up at Christines trial for perjury - it is fully accepted by the court that she was assaulted by LG
Christine expected worse
Telegraph 7th Dec 1963 - there was no doubt all the witnesses testified - Christine was assaulted
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Why she should be pardoned
1. Christine had been the victim of ongoing systematic abuse and intimidation from Lucky Gordon over an 18 month period. She had been assaulted on a number of occasions and there is clear evidence of coercive control. Christine was the victim and today laws are in place that would have protected her. She had lived under constant fear of Lucky Gordon, he had already raped her twice, he was constantly calling her, stalking her, even attacking her in the street. The court transcripts imply the constant fear of threat she was subjected to by Lucky Gordon (page 15 to 25 of testimony).
2. Christine did not benefit from denying the two witnesses where present - If Christine had admited that the two men where there and they where called it would have made the case against Lucky Gordon stonger. Was this material to the outcome of the trial.
3. Christrine’s denial that two witnesses were present was was incidental to the crime itself - the crime still happened and she did sustain injuries from Lucky Gordon’s attack. It was not material to the outcome of proceedings.
4. The police would have been aware of the other witnesses soon after they had interviewed Lucky. The police had a number of motivations not to care about the precence of two other witnesses.
2. Christine did not benefit from denying the two witnesses where present - If Christine had admited that the two men where there and they where called it would have made the case against Lucky Gordon stonger. Was this material to the outcome of the trial.
3. Christrine’s denial that two witnesses were present was was incidental to the crime itself - the crime still happened and she did sustain injuries from Lucky Gordon’s attack. It was not material to the outcome of proceedings.
4. The police would have been aware of the other witnesses soon after they had interviewed Lucky. The police had a number of motivations not to care about the precence of two other witnesses.
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A. As far as the polivce were concerned - there was acrime and they had their man.
B. The police had an standing relationship with Chritsine and she was an important witness in the upcoming Stephen Ward trial. C. Lucky Gordon had a history of assaults against woman and against Christine (Superintendent Axon is quoted - The police have been called on five occations over the prior 18 months due to assaults and molestations against Christine Keeler by Lucky Gordon. D. Some people have argued that the police were hoping that the conviction against Lucky Gordon would make him a more Plyable witness against Stephen Ward. - this is very difficult to prove. |
5. Lucky Gordon lergal council advised against calling the two witnesses - likely because they would confim Christines account - which they both did at the later trial.
6. She did not have her own legal council - in the 1960s the police brought prosecutions and the victims of a crime were a witness for the police. This often lead to a conflict of interest, where the police, who wanted to secure a conviction were in a position to pressured a witness to lie on oath, for example Ronna Riccardo testimony in the Stephen Ward trial.
7. Christine was a national pariah and it felt she could not get a fair trial. Taking a deal and pleading guilty was the only option open to her.
6. She did not have her own legal council - in the 1960s the police brought prosecutions and the victims of a crime were a witness for the police. This often lead to a conflict of interest, where the police, who wanted to secure a conviction were in a position to pressured a witness to lie on oath, for example Ronna Riccardo testimony in the Stephen Ward trial.
7. Christine was a national pariah and it felt she could not get a fair trial. Taking a deal and pleading guilty was the only option open to her.
There is little doubt that if it had happened today she would not have gone to prison. We do more now today to protect the victims of crime and have a better understanding of sustained mental and physical abuse. The CPS would not have allowed the police to carry forward the case without the witnesses, Christine would have had council and the enormity of her decision to lie about the witnesses would have been made clear.
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.
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It is interesting that SW 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
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Actual trial transcripts
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What really happened with Lucky Gordon
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Lucky Gordon is commonly referred to as Christine's ex boyfriend but he was actually her stalker and rapist. Soon after they met in 1961 he tricked her to his flat and raped her at knifepoint, He raped her again in early 1962. This was followed with prolonged stalking and occasional attacks in the streets.
In early 1963 the transcripts refer to an “an agreement” (page 19 of testimony) being made between Lucky Gordon and Christine, and it is implied that with one final meeting Christine could be free of him. She goes to his flat and spends two nights with him, she even says that he is kind and gentle, but she is not a girlfriend but a victim of abuse. The only principle in the story who claims Christine and Lucky had any type of relation was Lucky Gordon himself in an interview with the Jamacan Observer in 1989. So history has taken the word of the rapist over the victim. |
Newspaper report from trial - Police confirm LG and CK history
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1961
Oct - Christine meets Lucky Gordon at the El Rio Cafe. Gordon says he wants to show her some jewellery that he has at his flat in St Stephens Gardens. He takes Christine there and rapes her with a knife to her throat. She is held for 24 hours before she escapes.
Stephen Ward convinces Christine not to report rape to police.
Oct - Lucky Gordon attacks Christine in front of Stephen Ward outside 17 Wimpole Mews.
1962
Mar or Apr Lucky Gordon attacks Christine at her flat in Dolphin Square. He had a small axe that had been left in the flat. He rapes Christine, and holds her and another girl, “Linda”, for two days until Christine escapes.
(Talked about in testimony page 17)
The police are called and Christine presses charges. Christine is put under pressure from Lucky's family and she drops charges.
Gordon starts stalking Christine waiting outside her flat and turning up in unexpected places, even visiting her mother.
By September Christine buys a gun, a Luger, for £20, for protection from Lucky Gordon.
Early Oct - Lucky Gordon punches Christine to the ground. Christine and a friend, Jackie Brown, are returning from the hairdressers near Comeragh Road.
Dec - Turns up at Christine’s mothers house.
1963
Jan - Christine relents under incredible pressure and agrees to meet Lucky Gordon at The Flamingo Club. Christine agrees to meet him again at his brother's flat in Leytonstone. The trial transcripts indicate the an agreement is made between Lucky and Christine, if they meet up this once, he will leave her alone.
”I knew I could not get away” Christine's testimony
Jan 27/29 - Christine goes to Leytonstone and meets Lucky Gordon, she stays with him until the 29th. Court transcripts
March Lucky Gordon forces his way into Christine's flat, her friend Kim Proctor and Christine are overpowered. Paul Mann arrives shortly after and the three trick Lucky into going dancing with them. From the club Paul, Kim and Christine escapes, and are chased by Lucky jumping in to Paul’s car they drive straight to Dover and then onto France.
Oct - Christine meets Lucky Gordon at the El Rio Cafe. Gordon says he wants to show her some jewellery that he has at his flat in St Stephens Gardens. He takes Christine there and rapes her with a knife to her throat. She is held for 24 hours before she escapes.
Stephen Ward convinces Christine not to report rape to police.
Oct - Lucky Gordon attacks Christine in front of Stephen Ward outside 17 Wimpole Mews.
1962
Mar or Apr Lucky Gordon attacks Christine at her flat in Dolphin Square. He had a small axe that had been left in the flat. He rapes Christine, and holds her and another girl, “Linda”, for two days until Christine escapes.
(Talked about in testimony page 17)
The police are called and Christine presses charges. Christine is put under pressure from Lucky's family and she drops charges.
Gordon starts stalking Christine waiting outside her flat and turning up in unexpected places, even visiting her mother.
By September Christine buys a gun, a Luger, for £20, for protection from Lucky Gordon.
Early Oct - Lucky Gordon punches Christine to the ground. Christine and a friend, Jackie Brown, are returning from the hairdressers near Comeragh Road.
Dec - Turns up at Christine’s mothers house.
1963
Jan - Christine relents under incredible pressure and agrees to meet Lucky Gordon at The Flamingo Club. Christine agrees to meet him again at his brother's flat in Leytonstone. The trial transcripts indicate the an agreement is made between Lucky and Christine, if they meet up this once, he will leave her alone.
”I knew I could not get away” Christine's testimony
Jan 27/29 - Christine goes to Leytonstone and meets Lucky Gordon, she stays with him until the 29th. Court transcripts
March Lucky Gordon forces his way into Christine's flat, her friend Kim Proctor and Christine are overpowered. Paul Mann arrives shortly after and the three trick Lucky into going dancing with them. From the club Paul, Kim and Christine escapes, and are chased by Lucky jumping in to Paul’s car they drive straight to Dover and then onto France.
Lucky Gordon had a history of violence and even violence against woman in November 1960 - Lucky Gordon, living in Denmark, is sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for stabbing a girl, he is deported. In 1973 he is jailed fro attacking a woman with a screwdriver.
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List of conviction from Press Daily Mail press cuttings. Christine’s handwriting all over it
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