Special thank you to Desmond Banks for helping pull this together
Detailed timeline
Sources Key:
MI5 Files - information released in MI5 file January 2023, files available here in the research section, or at national archives.
Information mostly special branch record or interviews with key players
TTAL/S&L - The Truth at Last/Secrets and lies - Christine Keelers Autobiography
Mandy - Mandy Rice-Davies Autobiography
TNS - The Naked Spy Yevgeny Ivanov Autobiography
CT - Court Transcripts available here in research section or national archives
Other sources named
MI5 Files - information released in MI5 file January 2023, files available here in the research section, or at national archives.
Information mostly special branch record or interviews with key players
TTAL/S&L - The Truth at Last/Secrets and lies - Christine Keelers Autobiography
Mandy - Mandy Rice-Davies Autobiography
TNS - The Naked Spy Yevgeny Ivanov Autobiography
CT - Court Transcripts available here in research section or national archives
Other sources named
1912Oct 19: Stephen Thomas Ward is born.
1915Jan 30: John Dennis Profumo is born
1926Jan 11: Yevgeny “Eugene” Ivanov born.
1942February 22: Christine Keeler born Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge. To Julie and Collin Keeler. Collin told Christine, had been adopted his real mother was a young Irish girl who worked on a reservation in America, his father a Native American. Christine would say “that’s where I got my high cheekbones”
DNA test of Christines family - this was untrue. Collin abandons his family when Christine is very young. 1944Oct 21: Marilyn Rice-Davies born.
1958Christine's son Peter is born prematurely, but he died six days later.
Mar 22: Christine first modeling job, a photo shoot with Tit-Bits. Apr: Christine leaves her family home in Wraysbury. |
Christine childhood was very poor. Her father abandoned his family soon after she was born, her mother Julie met and married Edward Huish, and she grew up in a house made from two converted railway carriages.
At nine suffering from malnutrition she was taken away for a short time “To live with the nuns” Christine would say. When she reached an age she started receiving unwanted attention from Ted, her stepfather, and would sleep with a knife under her pillow, and then attention from neighbors and the fathers of friends. "Christine used to say her mother was cold. When her mother, Julie, was young she witnessed a terrible attack on her own mother. Julie's mother was meant to be very beautiful and her father was very jealous with a terrible temper. One day convinced she was having an affair he came home from work early. She was alone with the children, no secret lover, still in a fit of jealousy and in front of the children, he pulled out a gun and shot seven times in the head. One bullet passed through the skin just above her neck, another took the tip of her nose clean off, two through the cheek, two more went into the skull but were stopped as she had an extra thick skull, or it was a low caliber bullet. "He went to Broadmoor Prison for the Criminally Insane and made puppets. My mother was a young girl and seeing that stayed with her" Christine used to say. Christine's grandmother amazingly survived that day, we went to her funeral in the mid 1970's. Christine was desperate to escape from Wraysbury. |
1959
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Early in 1959: Christine moves to Slough with her aunt Patricia, They both work as clerks on the Trading Estate, before she moves to No 2 St John’s Wood Park, London.
Christine then moves to 11 Fitzjohns Avenue, Swiss Cottage, and works in Angelo’s Restaurant Club, Baker Street, for four or five months. Late spring early summer: Christine started work as a showgirl at Murray’s Cabaret Club, Soho, London. Summer: Christine meets Stephen Ward and they strike up a platonic friendship, Christine moves in with Stephen at 11 Orme Court. Stephen Ward takes Christine to a ‘sex party’ in Maida Vale, Christine is 17. Christine is adamant- she only ever went to one sex party, “…and nobody screwed me”. Christmas: Christine and Ward have Christmas at Lord Ednam and Maureen Swanson in Mayfair. A long way from a converted railway carriage in Wraysbury. |
1960
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Jan: Early 1960 Christine moves into 1 Bryanston Mews West with a friend, Sherry Danton, a property of Peter Rachmam, the 42 year old, wealthy “slum” landlord.
Mar 27: Ivanov arrives in Britain. Recent MI5 Paper Confirm Christine moves in with Jennifer Harvey near Regent’s Park. Oct/Nov: Colin Coote (editor Daily Telegraph) introduces Stephen Ward to Eugene Ivanov, at the Kenco Coffee Bar, Marylebone High St. Stephen to be engaged as a sketch artist for the Eichmann Trials, Stephen Ward and Eugene Ivanov quickly become good friends. Christine moves back to 11 Orme Court with Stephen and returns to Murray’s. Late in the year: Christine meets new boyfriend Manu Jahambin. |
Eugene Ivanov
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Christine meets the then Marilyn Davies, later to be known as Mandy Rice-Davies, at Murray’s Cabaret. They quickly become friends and soon move to a flat at 71 Comeragh Road.
(Christine notes: there for ‘three or four months’, ‘I don’t think we worked [at Murray’s] for the last month’).
November: Christine introduces Mandy to Peter Rachman and Mandy meets Stephen Ward for the first time.
Nov 4: Lucky Gordon, who is living in Denmark, is sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for stabbing a girl and the deportation process back to the UK starts.
Christine becomes Peter Rachman's mistress.
(Christine notes: there for ‘three or four months’, ‘I don’t think we worked [at Murray’s] for the last month’).
November: Christine introduces Mandy to Peter Rachman and Mandy meets Stephen Ward for the first time.
Nov 4: Lucky Gordon, who is living in Denmark, is sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for stabbing a girl and the deportation process back to the UK starts.
Christine becomes Peter Rachman's mistress.
1961
Douglas Fairbanks Jr
Jan 27: Sir Colin Coote (Editor Daily Telegraph) David Floyd (Journalist Daily Telegraph) have lunch with Stephen Ward and Eugene Ivanov at the Garrick Club - Recent MI5 Paper
Jan - Feb: Christine and Mandy find themselves behind with the rent, Stephen’s friend Lord Astor gives them a cheque for £100 to cover the rent.
Stephen Ward introduces Douglas Fairbanks (the actor) to Mandy and Christine. The three of them have sex. He gives them some money afterwards. -TTAL
Around this time Mandy and Christine met Nina Gadd, Nina asked them to go to dinner with some men. They go to a couple of ‘Dinner Parties’ with Nina. – TTAL
Christine meets Major Jim Eynan, they are attracted to each other and start a sexual relationship, Over the next two years they will meet, maybe go to the cinema, or a meal and then have sex in the afternoon. Major Jim Eynan will give Christine pocket money or help with rent. – TTAL, Stephen Ward Trail.
Christine introduces Mandy to Peter Rachman, soon after soon Mandy becomes Peter Rachman’s mistress and soon after that she moves in with him - TTAL
Early 1961: Manu breaks up with Christine and asks her to leave. - TTAL
March: Christine’ heartbroken, moves in with Stephen at 17 Wimpole Mews, London. – TTAL
April 1961: Sometime between now and October 1962, Stephen asks Christine and her ex-boyfriend Manu, to drop off a manilla Envelopes, addressed to Ivanov, to the Russian Embassy. “There was going to a card game and Eugene would need it” Stephen tells her. Manu, Christine’s ex-boyfriend, drives her to the Russian Embassy and waits outside as she drops off the manila envelope. - TTAL (MI5 files seem to support this – Christine is vague about how many times she dropped off paperwork – later in 1963, through her solicitor, she says it happened once.)
April 1961 – Christine Travels to France, most likely with Mandy. - Passport
(In her book TTAL she says she goes with Mandy to the south of France in January, this is probably not right, April 1961 is the first stamp in the book!)
May 29 – MI5 call Stephen Ward to the War Office for to meet. Wagstaffe meets Stephen George Peregrine Ward – He tells Wagstaffe, that he is writing the history of the Durham Light Infantry, and he has never met a Russian. This was the wrong Stephen Ward! - Recent MI5 Papers (Not at all important in the story, I just found it amusing.)
May 30, 1961 - Ivanov visits Lord Astor at Cliveden, it is not clear if Ward is with him - Recent MI5 Papers.
Jun 13 - Ward is interviewed by Wagstaffe (MI5), Ward says about Ivanov. “He has a good sense of humour and is a good advertisement for modern Russia’ - Ward brings Keith Wagstaffe (MI5) to Wimpole Mews and he meets Christine. - Recent MI5 Papers. – TTAL
Jan - Feb: Christine and Mandy find themselves behind with the rent, Stephen’s friend Lord Astor gives them a cheque for £100 to cover the rent.
Stephen Ward introduces Douglas Fairbanks (the actor) to Mandy and Christine. The three of them have sex. He gives them some money afterwards. -TTAL
Around this time Mandy and Christine met Nina Gadd, Nina asked them to go to dinner with some men. They go to a couple of ‘Dinner Parties’ with Nina. – TTAL
Christine meets Major Jim Eynan, they are attracted to each other and start a sexual relationship, Over the next two years they will meet, maybe go to the cinema, or a meal and then have sex in the afternoon. Major Jim Eynan will give Christine pocket money or help with rent. – TTAL, Stephen Ward Trail.
Christine introduces Mandy to Peter Rachman, soon after soon Mandy becomes Peter Rachman’s mistress and soon after that she moves in with him - TTAL
Early 1961: Manu breaks up with Christine and asks her to leave. - TTAL
March: Christine’ heartbroken, moves in with Stephen at 17 Wimpole Mews, London. – TTAL
April 1961: Sometime between now and October 1962, Stephen asks Christine and her ex-boyfriend Manu, to drop off a manilla Envelopes, addressed to Ivanov, to the Russian Embassy. “There was going to a card game and Eugene would need it” Stephen tells her. Manu, Christine’s ex-boyfriend, drives her to the Russian Embassy and waits outside as she drops off the manila envelope. - TTAL (MI5 files seem to support this – Christine is vague about how many times she dropped off paperwork – later in 1963, through her solicitor, she says it happened once.)
April 1961 – Christine Travels to France, most likely with Mandy. - Passport
(In her book TTAL she says she goes with Mandy to the south of France in January, this is probably not right, April 1961 is the first stamp in the book!)
May 29 – MI5 call Stephen Ward to the War Office for to meet. Wagstaffe meets Stephen George Peregrine Ward – He tells Wagstaffe, that he is writing the history of the Durham Light Infantry, and he has never met a Russian. This was the wrong Stephen Ward! - Recent MI5 Papers (Not at all important in the story, I just found it amusing.)
May 30, 1961 - Ivanov visits Lord Astor at Cliveden, it is not clear if Ward is with him - Recent MI5 Papers.
Jun 13 - Ward is interviewed by Wagstaffe (MI5), Ward says about Ivanov. “He has a good sense of humour and is a good advertisement for modern Russia’ - Ward brings Keith Wagstaffe (MI5) to Wimpole Mews and he meets Christine. - Recent MI5 Papers. – TTAL
Christine and Stephen at Clivedon - Picture taken by Profumo
Jul 8 1961: Stephen and Christine take a trip down to the cottage Stephen rents at Lord Astor’s stately home, Cliveden, Christine goes for a skinny dip in the pool, but Jack Profumo and Lord Astor arrive, they both chase her naked around the pool as she tries to get out, Stephen sits smoking a cigarette. Other guests arrive including Bills wife. Keeler and ward are invited up to a party that’s happening at the house.
Profumo is clearly attracted to Christine. Christine and Ward stay at the cottage at Cliveden.
Jul 9: Eugene Ivanove arrives. Stephen brings two more girls to Cliveden, Sally Joan Norie and Grundie Heiber. Profumo, Christine, Eugene, and General Ayub the president of Pakistan and all play games in the pool!
Christine and Eugene Ivanov return to Wimpole Mews they have a bottle of vodka or whisky, they get drunk and have sex. – TTAL / TNS
Jul 12: Stephen Ward reports into (MI5) Keith Wagstaffe, Stephen talks about Christine’s likely “fling” with Ivanov, and that Profumo is clearly interest in her as well. - Recent MI5 Papers.
Stephen has a meeting with MI5 and tells them, Ivanov knew for a fact that the US had decided to deliver nuclear weapons to West Germany and had asked Stephen to use his influence to find out when.
Ivanov had apparently told Stephen, if he could help find this out, then Ivanov would help with a trip to Moscow to draw Mr Khrushchev would be facilitated.
Wagstaff warned Stephen not to comply with Ivanov request – Stephen Ward interview with Wagstaff MI5 Papers
July 12: Profumo picks up Christine and takes her for a drive. Their affair starts. – TTAL
Aug 2: Lord Astor writes to the foreign office, saying that his friend Stephen Ward had become friends with Ivanov, he said Ivanov seemed very interested in British politics and understanding the government position. Astor said it occurred to him, if the Foreign Office wanted the Russian Embassy to know something, it could easily be arranged through Stephen or with Ivanov himself. - Recent MI5 papers.
Aug 9: Sir Norman Brook, The Cabinet secretary, warns Profumo about Stephen Ward. it is argued that this warning would have spelt the end of the Keeler Profumo affair, according to MI5 Papers this isn’t entirely what happened. The Director General, Roger Hollis, spoke to Sir Norman Brook about a plan to get Eugene Ivanov to defect, Brook was to warn Profumo to be careful with his relationship with ward because of his ties to Ivanov and test the water as to whether he could help with the plan.
At their meeting Profumo wasn’t interested in a plan to get Ivanov to defect and took onboard the warning about ward. - Denning Report/MI5 Files.
Profumo writes Christine a letter, “Darling, in great haste because I can get no reply from your phone - alas something's blown up tomorrow night...Blast it. Please take care of yourself... ” which will be proof of affair.
Aug: - On one occasion Profumo gifts Christine a bottle of perfume, then a lighter and on one occasion he gives Christine £20 to “buy her mother a little something”. TTAL, Denning and CT
At sometime between August 1961 and December 1961, Stephen Ward asks Christine to find out from Profumo when the “Bomb” will sent to Germany.
The bomb going to Germany has been a question for Stephen for the whole summer, and he has talked about it with his MI5 handler a number of times.
Christine tells special branch - that she thinks Stephen asked her this question in November/ December - MI5 Files
Sept 4th, 1961: Lucky Gordon arrives in London, after being deported from Copenhagen, he has served his prison sentence for stabbing a woman. - Police records.
Profumo is clearly attracted to Christine. Christine and Ward stay at the cottage at Cliveden.
Jul 9: Eugene Ivanove arrives. Stephen brings two more girls to Cliveden, Sally Joan Norie and Grundie Heiber. Profumo, Christine, Eugene, and General Ayub the president of Pakistan and all play games in the pool!
Christine and Eugene Ivanov return to Wimpole Mews they have a bottle of vodka or whisky, they get drunk and have sex. – TTAL / TNS
Jul 12: Stephen Ward reports into (MI5) Keith Wagstaffe, Stephen talks about Christine’s likely “fling” with Ivanov, and that Profumo is clearly interest in her as well. - Recent MI5 Papers.
Stephen has a meeting with MI5 and tells them, Ivanov knew for a fact that the US had decided to deliver nuclear weapons to West Germany and had asked Stephen to use his influence to find out when.
Ivanov had apparently told Stephen, if he could help find this out, then Ivanov would help with a trip to Moscow to draw Mr Khrushchev would be facilitated.
Wagstaff warned Stephen not to comply with Ivanov request – Stephen Ward interview with Wagstaff MI5 Papers
July 12: Profumo picks up Christine and takes her for a drive. Their affair starts. – TTAL
Aug 2: Lord Astor writes to the foreign office, saying that his friend Stephen Ward had become friends with Ivanov, he said Ivanov seemed very interested in British politics and understanding the government position. Astor said it occurred to him, if the Foreign Office wanted the Russian Embassy to know something, it could easily be arranged through Stephen or with Ivanov himself. - Recent MI5 papers.
Aug 9: Sir Norman Brook, The Cabinet secretary, warns Profumo about Stephen Ward. it is argued that this warning would have spelt the end of the Keeler Profumo affair, according to MI5 Papers this isn’t entirely what happened. The Director General, Roger Hollis, spoke to Sir Norman Brook about a plan to get Eugene Ivanov to defect, Brook was to warn Profumo to be careful with his relationship with ward because of his ties to Ivanov and test the water as to whether he could help with the plan.
At their meeting Profumo wasn’t interested in a plan to get Ivanov to defect and took onboard the warning about ward. - Denning Report/MI5 Files.
Profumo writes Christine a letter, “Darling, in great haste because I can get no reply from your phone - alas something's blown up tomorrow night...Blast it. Please take care of yourself... ” which will be proof of affair.
Aug: - On one occasion Profumo gifts Christine a bottle of perfume, then a lighter and on one occasion he gives Christine £20 to “buy her mother a little something”. TTAL, Denning and CT
At sometime between August 1961 and December 1961, Stephen Ward asks Christine to find out from Profumo when the “Bomb” will sent to Germany.
The bomb going to Germany has been a question for Stephen for the whole summer, and he has talked about it with his MI5 handler a number of times.
Christine tells special branch - that she thinks Stephen asked her this question in November/ December - MI5 Files
Sept 4th, 1961: Lucky Gordon arrives in London, after being deported from Copenhagen, he has served his prison sentence for stabbing a woman. - Police records.
Stephen Ward at work
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I’m told this is Stephen Ward taken sometime in 1961
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Sept 1961: Christine, Stephen and a friend, Vasco Lazzolo (society portrait painter), all go to El Rio Cafe to buy some cannabis, the men wait in a car outside and Christine goes in to find a dealer. She meets Lucky Gordon who sells her some cannabis, Christine has an idea he may also help introduce Stephen to a West Indian girl, so she gives him her telephone number. TTAL, CT – Trial Notes state they met in March 1961.
Sept 1961: This was the first time Christine tries cannabis. TTAL
Sept 1961: Two days later Lucky Gordon called, there would be a party at the El Rio, and he had a ‘sister’ for Stephen. At the party Lucky leaves his sister with Stephen and attaches himself to Christine. After cannabis and alcohol Christine starts to feel very unwell, Lucky tries to take advantage, but Stephen insists he must take Christine home and he makes it clear that Lucky is not coming back with them. To placate Lucky, Stephen gives him their address/ or Stephen gives his address to the cannabis dealer - unclear. -TTAL
Lucky starts regularly calling Christine at Wimpole Mews. - TTAL
After numerous calls, Christine agrees to meet Lucky Gordon at a cafe on Westbourne Park Road for coffee. When they meet, Gordon says he wants to show her some stolen jewellery he has at his flat which is just around the corner in St Stephens Gardens. Naively Christine agrees. - TTAL
When they get to his flat, he pulls out a knife, pushes her to the bed and rapes her with the knife at her throat. He keeps her there for 24 hours of continual harrowing assault. – TTAL
Christine finally convinces Lucky to let her return to Stephen, and she promises to return. -TTAL
When she returns to Wimpole Mews and tells Stephen everything that has happened Stephen convinces her not to report it to the police, suggesting she was lucky that she was not “gang raped”.
Sept 1961: Lucky Gordon Calls the house and Stephen answers the phone and says Christine does not want to talk to him.
Ten mins later Lucky arrives at the door and wants to speak to Christine, Stephen lets him into the flat, Gordon drags Christine by the hair, locking her in her bedroom, before Stephen eventually manages to convince him to stop and leave the flat. - TTAL
Stephen calls the police, when they arrive Stephen asks them to give Christine a warning about the dangers of seeing ‘black men’, and that she must be more careful, as there were no marks on her, they could not prosecute. There is a confusing side story about Stephen making a complaint to the police about Christine smoking dope in his flat. - S&L
Sept 1961: This was the first time Christine tries cannabis. TTAL
Sept 1961: Two days later Lucky Gordon called, there would be a party at the El Rio, and he had a ‘sister’ for Stephen. At the party Lucky leaves his sister with Stephen and attaches himself to Christine. After cannabis and alcohol Christine starts to feel very unwell, Lucky tries to take advantage, but Stephen insists he must take Christine home and he makes it clear that Lucky is not coming back with them. To placate Lucky, Stephen gives him their address/ or Stephen gives his address to the cannabis dealer - unclear. -TTAL
Lucky starts regularly calling Christine at Wimpole Mews. - TTAL
After numerous calls, Christine agrees to meet Lucky Gordon at a cafe on Westbourne Park Road for coffee. When they meet, Gordon says he wants to show her some stolen jewellery he has at his flat which is just around the corner in St Stephens Gardens. Naively Christine agrees. - TTAL
When they get to his flat, he pulls out a knife, pushes her to the bed and rapes her with the knife at her throat. He keeps her there for 24 hours of continual harrowing assault. – TTAL
Christine finally convinces Lucky to let her return to Stephen, and she promises to return. -TTAL
When she returns to Wimpole Mews and tells Stephen everything that has happened Stephen convinces her not to report it to the police, suggesting she was lucky that she was not “gang raped”.
Sept 1961: Lucky Gordon Calls the house and Stephen answers the phone and says Christine does not want to talk to him.
Ten mins later Lucky arrives at the door and wants to speak to Christine, Stephen lets him into the flat, Gordon drags Christine by the hair, locking her in her bedroom, before Stephen eventually manages to convince him to stop and leave the flat. - TTAL
Stephen calls the police, when they arrive Stephen asks them to give Christine a warning about the dangers of seeing ‘black men’, and that she must be more careful, as there were no marks on her, they could not prosecute. There is a confusing side story about Stephen making a complaint to the police about Christine smoking dope in his flat. - S&L
Sept 17, 1961: Christine Travels to France - passport
- Later in court she say “I went to France to get away from him [Gordon] he was calling five time a day and saying he was going to “cut me up in the mews” - Passport stamp
Sept 18: Stephen Ward meets again with MI5/FO and asks again about Ivanov’s proposal regarding the arrival of nuclear weapons and West Germany. - Recent MI5 papers.
Sept 21, 1961: Christine travels back through France to the UK– passport
Oct 13: Christine goes to France again.
Oct 19: Christine travels back to the UK. - Passport
Oct 19: Report on Ward/Ivanov - “Ward is an osteopath- a very good one. Ward has some very left-wing views, Lord Astor is married to an ex-model Bronwen Pugh, she was developed by ward one of many girls on whom he develops in a Pygmalion fashion, before being passed on. - Recent MI5 papers
- Later in court she say “I went to France to get away from him [Gordon] he was calling five time a day and saying he was going to “cut me up in the mews” - Passport stamp
Sept 18: Stephen Ward meets again with MI5/FO and asks again about Ivanov’s proposal regarding the arrival of nuclear weapons and West Germany. - Recent MI5 papers.
Sept 21, 1961: Christine travels back through France to the UK– passport
Oct 13: Christine goes to France again.
Oct 19: Christine travels back to the UK. - Passport
Oct 19: Report on Ward/Ivanov - “Ward is an osteopath- a very good one. Ward has some very left-wing views, Lord Astor is married to an ex-model Bronwen Pugh, she was developed by ward one of many girls on whom he develops in a Pygmalion fashion, before being passed on. - Recent MI5 papers
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Nov: Christine and Mandy meet again for the first time since April 1961 - TTAL
Christine and Mandy move down to the south coast for a short while - TTAL - (Christine has been spending a lot of time out of London, this comes up in Court later) Nov 1961: At some time this month, Christine and Mandy collect Stephen from another sex party, this one hosted by Mariella Novotny, it is known as “The Feast of the Peacocks,” with the infamous ‘Man in the Mask’ who was serving guests and getting spanked, Christine and Mandy arrive after the ‘Man in the Mask’ has left. Stephen tells Christine that the ‘Man in the Mask’ is the Duke of Edinburgh. – CK (Special branch will do a full investigation into the “Feat of the Peacocks “ party because of the rumours around, the man in the mask. He is named by a few as Robert Wills Asquith, a businessman from Yorkshire, and there is even a detailed interview with Mr Asquith in July 1963 by special branch, where he confesses and gives his full account of being the infamous slave in the mask.) Dec 1961: Christine and Profumo's affair comes to an final end. - ref Denning report, Profumo speech and TTAL (it is a bit unclear exactly when their afraid finished) Dec 1961: Christine realises she is pregnant with Profumo child. She tries to get an abortion through a friend of Stephens. Stephen’s friend won't help. -TTAL Dec 1961: Christine and Mandy leave Wimpole Mews and move into Dolphin Square, Pimlico. -TTAL |
Mariella Novotny at her marriage to Hod Dibben, hosted orgies for high society. Claimed to have had sex with Kennedy in the Oval Office.
She died in 1983
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Darling,
In great haste because I can get no reply from your phone - alas something's blown up tomorrow night...Blast it.
Please take care of yourself... - Profumo's letter to Christine
The Denning report
1962
Jan: Mandy leaves Dolphin Square, Christine is now living there alone. - TTAL
Jan: Stephen introduces Christine to a friend of his, Paul Mann, Christine describes him as a wild man, racing driver, bridge player. They become friends. - TTAL
Jan 1962: Christine has an “illegal” abortion at her flat in Dolphin Square, it doesn't go well, and is she is left very sick. By sheer luck, a childhood friend, Peter Lewin, arrives and finds Christine very unwell and takes her to Hospital, (The Chelsea Hospital for Women) in Dovehouse Street. – TTAL, Find hand Account.
Feb 21: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP speaks to the FO/MI5 after he has met Ivanov through Stephen Ward – MI5 files.
Feb 28: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP sends a letter to Ivanov setting out H.M.G. view on disarmament. – MI5 files.
Mar 6: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP tells FO/MI5 that Ivanov is pressing him on H.M.G. View on Berlin – MI5 files.
Mar 8: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP sends a letter to Ivanov setting out H.M.G. view on Berlin. – MI5 files.
Mar 13: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP tells FO/MI5 that Ivanov is pressing him on H.M.G. View on the Oder-Neisse line - (border between Germany and Poland) – MI5 files.
Mar 14: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP sends a letter to Ivanov setting out H.M.G. view on the Oder-Neisse line. – MI5 files.
Ivanov leaves the UK for the USSR – MI5 files.
Mar or Apr: Christine’s account of Gordons attack at her flat in Dolphin square.Christine had started smoking dope and going to clubs where you could buy, out with a few friends, including Paul Mann, they went to one club and Gordon was there. It had been a long time and he promised not to be any trouble and hung around the group.
Everyone was invited back for a party at Christine flat, and Gordon towed along as well. With everyone getting stoned and listening to music, Gordon seems to have found a small axe that had been left in the flat for making kindling. With the hatchet he demands everyone leave, and they do, he throws Paul Mann out as well saying “if you call the police, I will kill you and her”. Christine says in her book, “I don’t blame Paul, what could he have done”.
With nearly everyone gone he rapes Christine and holds her and another girl, “Linda”, for two days until Christine escapes.
The police are called and Christine presses charges. Christine is put under pressure from Lucky's family, and she drops charges. – TTAL & referred to in the June 1963 LG court case.
Apr 1962: After the case is dropped, Gordon breaks into Christine’s Flat in Dolphins Square – she runs out nearly naked to get the police. – TTAL, Referred to in the 1963 LG court case.
Gordon starts stalking Christine, waiting outside her flat. – MI5 Files, Referred to in the 1963 court case.
Christine leaves Dolphin Square and returns to Wimpole Mews ‘for a little while’. TTAL
Gordon continues calling and stalking Christine at Wimpole Mews. TTAL, Stephen Ward interviews with met police.
Jan: Stephen introduces Christine to a friend of his, Paul Mann, Christine describes him as a wild man, racing driver, bridge player. They become friends. - TTAL
Jan 1962: Christine has an “illegal” abortion at her flat in Dolphin Square, it doesn't go well, and is she is left very sick. By sheer luck, a childhood friend, Peter Lewin, arrives and finds Christine very unwell and takes her to Hospital, (The Chelsea Hospital for Women) in Dovehouse Street. – TTAL, Find hand Account.
Feb 21: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP speaks to the FO/MI5 after he has met Ivanov through Stephen Ward – MI5 files.
Feb 28: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP sends a letter to Ivanov setting out H.M.G. view on disarmament. – MI5 files.
Mar 6: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP tells FO/MI5 that Ivanov is pressing him on H.M.G. View on Berlin – MI5 files.
Mar 8: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP sends a letter to Ivanov setting out H.M.G. view on Berlin. – MI5 files.
Mar 13: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP tells FO/MI5 that Ivanov is pressing him on H.M.G. View on the Oder-Neisse line - (border between Germany and Poland) – MI5 files.
Mar 14: Sir Godfrey Nicholson MP sends a letter to Ivanov setting out H.M.G. view on the Oder-Neisse line. – MI5 files.
Ivanov leaves the UK for the USSR – MI5 files.
Mar or Apr: Christine’s account of Gordons attack at her flat in Dolphin square.Christine had started smoking dope and going to clubs where you could buy, out with a few friends, including Paul Mann, they went to one club and Gordon was there. It had been a long time and he promised not to be any trouble and hung around the group.
Everyone was invited back for a party at Christine flat, and Gordon towed along as well. With everyone getting stoned and listening to music, Gordon seems to have found a small axe that had been left in the flat for making kindling. With the hatchet he demands everyone leave, and they do, he throws Paul Mann out as well saying “if you call the police, I will kill you and her”. Christine says in her book, “I don’t blame Paul, what could he have done”.
With nearly everyone gone he rapes Christine and holds her and another girl, “Linda”, for two days until Christine escapes.
The police are called and Christine presses charges. Christine is put under pressure from Lucky's family, and she drops charges. – TTAL & referred to in the June 1963 LG court case.
Apr 1962: After the case is dropped, Gordon breaks into Christine’s Flat in Dolphins Square – she runs out nearly naked to get the police. – TTAL, Referred to in the 1963 LG court case.
Gordon starts stalking Christine, waiting outside her flat. – MI5 Files, Referred to in the 1963 court case.
Christine leaves Dolphin Square and returns to Wimpole Mews ‘for a little while’. TTAL
Gordon continues calling and stalking Christine at Wimpole Mews. TTAL, Stephen Ward interviews with met police.
May 1962: Christine meets and moves in with Michael Lambton in Belgravia and they get engaged. -TTAL, SWCC
May 28, 1962: Stephen Ward reports to FO/MI5 - Ivanov has sent him a letter thanking Sir Godfrey Nicholson for his help and that he expected to see Stephen in June.
Stephen goes on to say Ivanov and indeed himself were very anxious to know when the bomb would arrive in Germany, he says he made various enquires to various people about a year before.
He also says that he was delivering documents to the Russian Embassy for Sir Nicholas, they both through the Russians would pay more attention to documents that they got from a side channel. - Mi5 Files
Jun 2 1962: Ivanov returns to the UK from the USSR – MI5 files.
Jul 5: Christine and Mandy take a liner to US, arriving 11 July. Michael Lambton who is working in Philadelphia, pays for their travel. – Passport
Jul 18: Christine and Mandy fly back from US. – Passport
At some time, she breaks up with Michael.
July 1962: Christine returns to 17 Wimpole Mews. TTAL
July 1962: Stephen introduces Christine to Paula Hamilton-Marshall and Kim Proctor - they will all become good friends
Sep 1962: Christine Paula Hamilton-Marshall introduces Johnny Edgecombe to Christine. – TTAL
May 28, 1962: Stephen Ward reports to FO/MI5 - Ivanov has sent him a letter thanking Sir Godfrey Nicholson for his help and that he expected to see Stephen in June.
Stephen goes on to say Ivanov and indeed himself were very anxious to know when the bomb would arrive in Germany, he says he made various enquires to various people about a year before.
He also says that he was delivering documents to the Russian Embassy for Sir Nicholas, they both through the Russians would pay more attention to documents that they got from a side channel. - Mi5 Files
Jun 2 1962: Ivanov returns to the UK from the USSR – MI5 files.
Jul 5: Christine and Mandy take a liner to US, arriving 11 July. Michael Lambton who is working in Philadelphia, pays for their travel. – Passport
Jul 18: Christine and Mandy fly back from US. – Passport
At some time, she breaks up with Michael.
July 1962: Christine returns to 17 Wimpole Mews. TTAL
July 1962: Stephen introduces Christine to Paula Hamilton-Marshall and Kim Proctor - they will all become good friends
Sep 1962: Christine Paula Hamilton-Marshall introduces Johnny Edgecombe to Christine. – TTAL
Michael Eddowes London lawyer who became suspicious of Ward
Sep 1962: Christine and Kim Proctor move to Sheffield Terrace and Johnny Edgecombe moves in soon afterwards. - TTAL
Christine buys a gun, a Luger, for £20 on the black market, for protection from Lucky Gordon. - TTAL
Sep: Christine and Johnny Edgecombe start an affair. - TTAL
Sep or Oct: Mandy moves into 17 Wimpole Mews with Stephen. – TTAL, Mandy
Early Oct: Lucky Gordon punches Christine to the ground, when she and a friend called Jackie Brown are returning from a hairdresser near Comeragh Road. - TTAL
Oct 16: Cuban Missile Crisis begins. America had deployed nuclear weapons in Italy and Turkey, the Soviet Union countered this by trying to deploy warheads to Cuba, 90 miles off the coast of America. There was a blockade designed to stop Soviet Union ships from brining the bomb to Cuba and the crisis is generally thought of a the closest the planet has come to nuclear war.
Oct 20: Christine and Edgecombe move to a Bayswater Hotel. - TTAL
Oct 24: Stephen Ward informs the FO/MI5 that he had just had a conversation with Ivanov, in which he said - in the Cuban missile crisis there was absolutely no opportunity for either Russia or America to compromise, and Russia was looking to the UK for there one hope of conciliation. – MI5 files.
Oct 25: Sir Godfrey Nicholson tells the FO/MI5 that Ivanov has been to see him and requested the British government to consider working towards negotiations at a summit, and that the embassy knew he was making this approach. – MI5 files.
Stephen Ward tells the FO/MI5 the same story – MI5 files.
Lord Astor tells Lord Arran that a Russian official is seeking to pass information to the British Government urgently. – MI5 files.
Oct 25: Christine asks Ward for her old room back. - TTAL
Oct 26: Stephen Ward calls Lord Arran the then Permanent Under-Secretary to arrange a meeting with Eugene Ivanov. - Parliament debate 17.06.63, MI5 papers
Oct 27: Ward takes Eugene Ivanov to Lord Arran’s house. Ivanov stated that he "wished to get a message to the British government by indirect means asking for them to call a summit forthwith”. (Parliament debate 17.06.63 and – MI5 files.
Oct 27/28, 1962: Lucky Gordon chases Christine, Edgecombe slashes Gordon across the face, Gordon needs 17 stitches. - TTAL, JE Trial.
That night Ward comes to the hotel and collects Christine's clothes. - TTAL
Oct 28, 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis comes to an end, Khrushchev withdraws and removes the missiles.
Christine goes with Edgecombe to Brentford for four days to his friend’s house. – TTAL
Lord Arran had dinner at Cliveden with Lord Astor, Ivanov and Stephen Ward – MI5 files.
Oct 1962: Stephen sets up a date for Christine with a friend of his, Michael Eddowes, a lawyer turned businessman who owned a chain of restaurants. He is wealthy and single, Stephen thinks this may be a great fit for Christine, however, she is not at all interested in Michael, “he was too old”. - TTAL, ME docs
Oct 31: Christine, Stephen, Ivanov and Rosemary Wells are at 17 Wimpole Mews when William Shepherd (Conservative MP) visits. Christine and Rosemary Wells spends night there.
Oct 31: Christine breaks up with Johnny Edgecombe. -TTAL
Christine stays at 17 Wimpole Mews for a few days in October. - TTAL
Christine buys a gun, a Luger, for £20 on the black market, for protection from Lucky Gordon. - TTAL
Sep: Christine and Johnny Edgecombe start an affair. - TTAL
Sep or Oct: Mandy moves into 17 Wimpole Mews with Stephen. – TTAL, Mandy
Early Oct: Lucky Gordon punches Christine to the ground, when she and a friend called Jackie Brown are returning from a hairdresser near Comeragh Road. - TTAL
Oct 16: Cuban Missile Crisis begins. America had deployed nuclear weapons in Italy and Turkey, the Soviet Union countered this by trying to deploy warheads to Cuba, 90 miles off the coast of America. There was a blockade designed to stop Soviet Union ships from brining the bomb to Cuba and the crisis is generally thought of a the closest the planet has come to nuclear war.
Oct 20: Christine and Edgecombe move to a Bayswater Hotel. - TTAL
Oct 24: Stephen Ward informs the FO/MI5 that he had just had a conversation with Ivanov, in which he said - in the Cuban missile crisis there was absolutely no opportunity for either Russia or America to compromise, and Russia was looking to the UK for there one hope of conciliation. – MI5 files.
Oct 25: Sir Godfrey Nicholson tells the FO/MI5 that Ivanov has been to see him and requested the British government to consider working towards negotiations at a summit, and that the embassy knew he was making this approach. – MI5 files.
Stephen Ward tells the FO/MI5 the same story – MI5 files.
Lord Astor tells Lord Arran that a Russian official is seeking to pass information to the British Government urgently. – MI5 files.
Oct 25: Christine asks Ward for her old room back. - TTAL
Oct 26: Stephen Ward calls Lord Arran the then Permanent Under-Secretary to arrange a meeting with Eugene Ivanov. - Parliament debate 17.06.63, MI5 papers
Oct 27: Ward takes Eugene Ivanov to Lord Arran’s house. Ivanov stated that he "wished to get a message to the British government by indirect means asking for them to call a summit forthwith”. (Parliament debate 17.06.63 and – MI5 files.
Oct 27/28, 1962: Lucky Gordon chases Christine, Edgecombe slashes Gordon across the face, Gordon needs 17 stitches. - TTAL, JE Trial.
That night Ward comes to the hotel and collects Christine's clothes. - TTAL
Oct 28, 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis comes to an end, Khrushchev withdraws and removes the missiles.
Christine goes with Edgecombe to Brentford for four days to his friend’s house. – TTAL
Lord Arran had dinner at Cliveden with Lord Astor, Ivanov and Stephen Ward – MI5 files.
Oct 1962: Stephen sets up a date for Christine with a friend of his, Michael Eddowes, a lawyer turned businessman who owned a chain of restaurants. He is wealthy and single, Stephen thinks this may be a great fit for Christine, however, she is not at all interested in Michael, “he was too old”. - TTAL, ME docs
Oct 31: Christine, Stephen, Ivanov and Rosemary Wells are at 17 Wimpole Mews when William Shepherd (Conservative MP) visits. Christine and Rosemary Wells spends night there.
Oct 31: Christine breaks up with Johnny Edgecombe. -TTAL
Christine stays at 17 Wimpole Mews for a few days in October. - TTAL
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Dr Savundra, “the Indian Doctor” rents Christine’s room at 17 Wimpole Mews for afternoons, somewhere he could bring girls. Mandy would be one of those girls, and Dr Savundra would give her £20 after sex. (This would prove damaging in Stephen’s trial).
Nov 1, 1963: Christine moves to 63 Great Cumberland Place with Rosemary Wells. -TTAL Mandy Rice-Davies, returning from a holiday in France, goes to stay at 17 Wimpole Mews. -TTAL Nov: Major After two years of meeting up Jim Eynan stops seeing Christine. – Stephens Trial, TTAL |
Interview with David Frost on that famous con.
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John Lewis (Ex Labour MP who had lost his seat in 1951, seemingly he had a pathological dislike of Stephen Ward
Nov 29: Peter Rachman dies. Mandy Rice-Davies is devastated, and she attempts suicide. Christine calls an ambulance. – TTAL, Mandy
Dec 14: Christine and Mandy are at Wimpole Muse, Mandy has been out of hospital for a while now, and Christine is there to cheer her up! TTAL, Mandy
At the same time, desperate to speak to Christine, Johnny Edgecombe takes a taxi to Stephens flat. Mandy and Christine refuse to let him in. Consumed with anger and frustration, using Christine's gun, Johnny fires several shots at the door.
Edgecombe jumps back into the taxi and just around the corner he jumps out and hides the gun at the base of the wall running behind Wimpole Mews. - JE Trial
The police are called.
Dec 1962: Christine talks to Michael Eddowes (with Mandy Rice-Davies present) about “Profumo, Eugene Ivanov and the bomb”. TTAL, - Michael Eddowes letter to Special Branch.(Christine maintains this is where Mandy finds out about Profumo, Mandy Maintains she was told in the summer of 1961, and Mandy doesn't seem to be on the scene from April 1961 to November 1961!)
(Eddowes, later states in a letter to MI5, that this happened on 14th Dec, the same day as the Edgecombe shooting!)
Dec 15: Stephen throws both girls out and, he also shortly loses his tenancy of Wimpole Mews, because of the shooting. Edgecombe is arrested, and newspapers become interested in Christine.
Around this time - his Landlord asks Stephen Ward to leave Wimpole Mews and he moves to Bryanston Mews
Christine and Mandy Rice-Davies move to 63 Great Cumberland Place.
Lord Astor visits and promises to help Christine with layers, before he leaves, according to Mandy, they have sex. - TTAL, Stephens CC
Dec 1962: Police start to interview (every two weeks or so) Christine about the shooting. and then about Stephen. -TTAL
Dec 1962: Lucky Gordon turns up at Christine’s mothers. He wants to speak to Christine. -TTAL, CC
Dec 23 - At a party in Rosemore Court. Christine and Paul Mann meet John Lewis. John Lewis is an ex-Labour MP. John promises to help Christine with Lucky Gordon and the Johnny Edgecomb mess. He says he can introduce her to a good lawyer.
Christine, having already told Michael Eddowes, now tells John Lewis about her affair with Profumo, and that Stephen had asked her to ask Profumo “when the “Bomb” would come to Germany”. – TTAL
Dec 14: Christine and Mandy are at Wimpole Muse, Mandy has been out of hospital for a while now, and Christine is there to cheer her up! TTAL, Mandy
At the same time, desperate to speak to Christine, Johnny Edgecombe takes a taxi to Stephens flat. Mandy and Christine refuse to let him in. Consumed with anger and frustration, using Christine's gun, Johnny fires several shots at the door.
Edgecombe jumps back into the taxi and just around the corner he jumps out and hides the gun at the base of the wall running behind Wimpole Mews. - JE Trial
The police are called.
Dec 1962: Christine talks to Michael Eddowes (with Mandy Rice-Davies present) about “Profumo, Eugene Ivanov and the bomb”. TTAL, - Michael Eddowes letter to Special Branch.(Christine maintains this is where Mandy finds out about Profumo, Mandy Maintains she was told in the summer of 1961, and Mandy doesn't seem to be on the scene from April 1961 to November 1961!)
(Eddowes, later states in a letter to MI5, that this happened on 14th Dec, the same day as the Edgecombe shooting!)
Dec 15: Stephen throws both girls out and, he also shortly loses his tenancy of Wimpole Mews, because of the shooting. Edgecombe is arrested, and newspapers become interested in Christine.
Around this time - his Landlord asks Stephen Ward to leave Wimpole Mews and he moves to Bryanston Mews
Christine and Mandy Rice-Davies move to 63 Great Cumberland Place.
Lord Astor visits and promises to help Christine with layers, before he leaves, according to Mandy, they have sex. - TTAL, Stephens CC
Dec 1962: Police start to interview (every two weeks or so) Christine about the shooting. and then about Stephen. -TTAL
Dec 1962: Lucky Gordon turns up at Christine’s mothers. He wants to speak to Christine. -TTAL, CC
Dec 23 - At a party in Rosemore Court. Christine and Paul Mann meet John Lewis. John Lewis is an ex-Labour MP. John promises to help Christine with Lucky Gordon and the Johnny Edgecomb mess. He says he can introduce her to a good lawyer.
Christine, having already told Michael Eddowes, now tells John Lewis about her affair with Profumo, and that Stephen had asked her to ask Profumo “when the “Bomb” would come to Germany”. – TTAL
There is only one way to keep a secret, tell no one - advice that Christine Keeler’s would give to anyone.
The Johnny Edgecombe shooting at Wimpole Mews is considered the event that blew open the Profumo scandal. Christine argued that, in fact, it was Christine telling Michael Eddowes or John Lewis at the party at Christmas led to the questions in Parliament and Profumo’s lie.
1963
Jan 3 - Stephen Ward takes Miss X to his flat Bryanston Mews and shows her the infamous two-way mirror
(An Affair of State) existence of two way mirror confirmed Feb 2014.
It is unclear if this mirror was used to blackmail or just for voyeurism.
(An Affair of State) existence of two way mirror confirmed Feb 2014.
It is unclear if this mirror was used to blackmail or just for voyeurism.
Jan - 1963 - Stephen is interviewed by MI5 and talks about Russian file technics and the shooting
He talks about Gordon “stalking” Christine and that he had Gordon arrested and then “bailed him” out of sympathy.
He talks about Gordon “stalking” Christine and that he had Gordon arrested and then “bailed him” out of sympathy.
MI5 papers released Oct 2022
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Jan 16/17: Johnny Edgecombe committal proceedings. Christine gives evidence.
Jan 19: Gordon fined £5 at Marlborough Street for possession of offensive weapon, a gravity knife. Christine sends Lucky the £5 to cover the fine.
Jan 22: Mandy, Nina Gadd and Nina’s fiancé meet Christine. It transpires the fiancé is actually a journalist working for The Sunday Pictorial.
Jan 23: Christine signs a contract to sell her story and leaves them the “Darling...” letter from Profumo as proof.
Jan 26: Chief Inspector Burrows serves notice on Christine about the Edgecombe trial. Christine tells him about her relationship with Profumo.
Christines relationship with Stephen, falls to pieces very quickly:
Christine is interviewed by the police and tells them everything - Profumo, the bomb. - MI5 papers
Jan 19: Gordon fined £5 at Marlborough Street for possession of offensive weapon, a gravity knife. Christine sends Lucky the £5 to cover the fine.
Jan 22: Mandy, Nina Gadd and Nina’s fiancé meet Christine. It transpires the fiancé is actually a journalist working for The Sunday Pictorial.
Jan 23: Christine signs a contract to sell her story and leaves them the “Darling...” letter from Profumo as proof.
Jan 26: Chief Inspector Burrows serves notice on Christine about the Edgecombe trial. Christine tells him about her relationship with Profumo.
Christines relationship with Stephen, falls to pieces very quickly:
Christine is interviewed by the police and tells them everything - Profumo, the bomb. - MI5 papers
Jan 27/29 - Christine relents under continued 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.
She returns to Ward, at Wimpole Mews.
”I knew I could not get away” (Christine's testimony in court - see Campaign page for transcripts)
She returns to Ward, at Wimpole Mews.
”I knew I could not get away” (Christine's testimony in court - see Campaign page for transcripts)
Jan 29: Stephen Ward writes to the director general of MI5 to say, amongst other things that Christine is a drug addict. - MI5 Papers
Jan 29: Eugene Ivanov is recalled to Moscow and he leaves Britain.
Jan 29 Recent MI5 papers - The US embassy is told that the Daily Mirror has a story that could bring down the MacMillan government
About Profumo, Ivanov and Keeler
Jan 29 John Profumo has a meeting with the Director General of MI5, R Hollis, and lets him know that there may be a story from Christine Keeler, and he thinks she is now a drug addict. - MI5 Papers
Jan 31: Christine wants to talk to the police and someone in the drugs unit as she is concerned that Stephen is trying to get her “put away” for drugs.
Jan: At some time in January, John Lewis ex-MP shares the story about Christine and Profumo with George Wigg (Labour MP). George Wigg asks for more information.
Jan End: Recent MI5 papers - Profumo reported that Lord Astor has seen him and warned hio that Christine is deteriorating rapidly and she has sold her story to the Sunday Pictorial.
Jan 29: Eugene Ivanov is recalled to Moscow and he leaves Britain.
Jan 29 Recent MI5 papers - The US embassy is told that the Daily Mirror has a story that could bring down the MacMillan government
About Profumo, Ivanov and Keeler
Jan 29 John Profumo has a meeting with the Director General of MI5, R Hollis, and lets him know that there may be a story from Christine Keeler, and he thinks she is now a drug addict. - MI5 Papers
Jan 31: Christine wants to talk to the police and someone in the drugs unit as she is concerned that Stephen is trying to get her “put away” for drugs.
Jan: At some time in January, John Lewis ex-MP shares the story about Christine and Profumo with George Wigg (Labour MP). George Wigg asks for more information.
Jan End: Recent MI5 papers - Profumo reported that Lord Astor has seen him and warned hio that Christine is deteriorating rapidly and she has sold her story to the Sunday Pictorial.
the Feb: John Lewis puts pressure on Christine to have an affair, he offers her £30,000 to live with him.
(It has been argued that Lewis offered her £30k for information to bring down the government and this is the same £30k in Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert bank account 1966 - see 1966)
Feb 3: News of the World publishes front page photo of Christine in bikini: ‘Model in shots case. Attractive Christine Keeler, a 20-year old, London Model ...’
Feb 4: Stephen Ward's flat is broken into and the photo of him and three girls taken by Profumo at Cliveden is stolen along with one with Profumo. Ward phones the police and gives a statement the next day.
(It has been argued that Lewis offered her £30k for information to bring down the government and this is the same £30k in Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert bank account 1966 - see 1966)
Feb 3: News of the World publishes front page photo of Christine in bikini: ‘Model in shots case. Attractive Christine Keeler, a 20-year old, London Model ...’
Feb 4: Stephen Ward's flat is broken into and the photo of him and three girls taken by Profumo at Cliveden is stolen along with one with Profumo. Ward phones the police and gives a statement the next day.
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Picture taken by Profumo “on Stephen’s Camara” - stolen along with another picture with Profumo sitting in Wards spot.
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Feb 8: Johnny Edgecombe trial adjourned. Christine agrees to do a story with the Sunday Pictorial story, as does Mandy.
Christine and Mandy move to a flat in the Edgware Road (22a Park West)
Paul Mann - says later Mandy and Christine fell out over the money, Christine had given Mandy £25 from the Sunday Pictorial advance and Mandy expected more, as she had help set up the meeting. Mandy moves out - MI5 docs
Christine and Mandy move to a flat in the Edgware Road (22a Park West)
Paul Mann - says later Mandy and Christine fell out over the money, Christine had given Mandy £25 from the Sunday Pictorial advance and Mandy expected more, as she had help set up the meeting. Mandy moves out - MI5 docs
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***
Kim Proctor is now living in Park West with Christine. -TTAL (Paul Mann tells special branch later on - “Christine had taken his advice and was playing nicely with Gordon and he was living with them in Park West, along with Paula” Stephen Ward tells special branch, that at this time - Gordon was living at Park west with Paula and Christine “I think Gordon moved his wife and Child in too” he says. Gordon says later in a letter to Denning - “we were living together in Park West for a month.” Christine is emphatic that she never lived with Gordon. Christine is asked in. Court - did he live with you in Park west “No he did not” she says 1426 Edward road is a large tower block, and I Gordon moved in to the same block after Christine and Kim, he then harassed them from there, Gordon deliberately implies they are living together when he says, It is likely that Paul and Stephen were referring to, living in the same block, or that Gordon had told Stephen he was living with Christine in Park West. Paul Mann also tells the police that at this time Christine was in real fear for her life. - taken with the court testimony, Christine’s account and the events before and after this time, it is not at all plausible they sharing a flat) In court testimony Christine, Christine questioned by Gordon he asks - Did me not meat outside the Odeon Cinema She says “You were waiting outside the Odeon by chance and you forced me into a taxi and took me to somewhere in Ladbroke Grove, fortunately there was a policeman on the other side of the road” - in court having asked this question, Gordon did not challenge her answer. The time they met fall broadly into line with Christine private notes: |
Park West, Edgware Road - a large large complex
Gordon was a stalker and like other stalkers he makes his contact with Christine sound like a relationship. Christines private Notes: (Her own words) |
Mar 8: Christine is terrified about going to Johnny Edgecombe’s trial and plans with friends to go abroad.
Lucky Gordon forces his way into Christine's flat, “He leaps from the rubbish hatch” Kim Proctor and Christine are overpowered. (Per Christine) - TTAL
Paul Mann arrives shortly after (Paul confirms this version of events) and the three trick Lucky into going dancing with them. From the club Paul, Kim and Christine escape, and are chased by Lucky. Jumping in to Paul’s car, they drive straight to Dover and then onto France.
Also Mar 8: Westminster Confidential - a Westminster newsletter from Andrew Roth referred to "girls had started selling stories to the Sunday newspaper"..."One or the choice bits was a letter apparently signed 'Jock' ...the allegation being not only was this minister, who has a famous wife, her client, but also the Soviet naval attaché...Ivonove...Who was using who to 'milk' whom for information" SIC - reference The Denning Report par 132
(the newsletter is dated 8th March, it is unclear how widespread this is on the 8th. Andrew Roth is credited with breaking the story)
Mar 9: Christine arrives in Spain (per passport stamp)
Mar 10: George Wigg attends a party with Harold Wilson and Barbara Castle; they talks about rumors' of affair between Profumo and Christine, the link with Eugene Ivanov and the questions about when the bomb would arrive. (It is inevitable that the scandal will break beyond Westminster)
Mar 13: Apparently it is only now that Profumo and others become aware of the Westminster Confidential newsletter - Denning Report para 132
Mar 14/15: Johnny Edgecombe's trial at Old Bailey. Acquitted of slashing Lucky Gordon but convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
Lucky Gordon forces his way into Christine's flat, “He leaps from the rubbish hatch” Kim Proctor and Christine are overpowered. (Per Christine) - TTAL
Paul Mann arrives shortly after (Paul confirms this version of events) and the three trick Lucky into going dancing with them. From the club Paul, Kim and Christine escape, and are chased by Lucky. Jumping in to Paul’s car, they drive straight to Dover and then onto France.
Also Mar 8: Westminster Confidential - a Westminster newsletter from Andrew Roth referred to "girls had started selling stories to the Sunday newspaper"..."One or the choice bits was a letter apparently signed 'Jock' ...the allegation being not only was this minister, who has a famous wife, her client, but also the Soviet naval attaché...Ivonove...Who was using who to 'milk' whom for information" SIC - reference The Denning Report par 132
(the newsletter is dated 8th March, it is unclear how widespread this is on the 8th. Andrew Roth is credited with breaking the story)
Mar 9: Christine arrives in Spain (per passport stamp)
Mar 10: George Wigg attends a party with Harold Wilson and Barbara Castle; they talks about rumors' of affair between Profumo and Christine, the link with Eugene Ivanov and the questions about when the bomb would arrive. (It is inevitable that the scandal will break beyond Westminster)
Mar 13: Apparently it is only now that Profumo and others become aware of the Westminster Confidential newsletter - Denning Report para 132
Mar 14/15: Johnny Edgecombe's trial at Old Bailey. Acquitted of slashing Lucky Gordon but convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
From the MI5 papers released Oct 2022
The Daily Mirror quite deliberately placing a picture of Christine next to the Profumo denial story.
Mar 15: The Daily Express runs a story of a missing witness.
Ward’s Cliveden cottage burgled and photos of Christine scattered
Mar 17: The Sunday Pictorial publishes Stephen Ward’s story, while The News of the World have Christine Keeler’s story by Peter Earle on their front page:
‘The two worlds of Christine Keeler’.
Mar 21: Issue raised in Parliament by George Wigg:
‘A possible connection between Ms Keeler, the shooting and an MP’
Barbara Castle refers to Christine as a ‘call girl’ in Parliament.
(Parliamentary privilege allows an MP to say anything in Parliament with no legal recourse)
Mar 22: Profumo meets colleagues. Makes his infamous statement to the House.
Ward’s Cliveden cottage burgled and photos of Christine scattered
Mar 17: The Sunday Pictorial publishes Stephen Ward’s story, while The News of the World have Christine Keeler’s story by Peter Earle on their front page:
‘The two worlds of Christine Keeler’.
Mar 21: Issue raised in Parliament by George Wigg:
‘A possible connection between Ms Keeler, the shooting and an MP’
Barbara Castle refers to Christine as a ‘call girl’ in Parliament.
(Parliamentary privilege allows an MP to say anything in Parliament with no legal recourse)
Mar 22: Profumo meets colleagues. Makes his infamous statement to the House.
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Stephen Wards statement on Profumo's resignation
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Mar 22 or Mar 23: - Michael Eddowes visits Christine’s mother and tells her Christine is a spy, and Christine would go to prison for treason, but offered £30,000 (amount varies -Recent MI5 papers say between 5 and 10 thousand) if she could confirm she was in love with Ivanov and that she had obtained information from Profumo for Ivanov ‘only as a joke’.
Mar 24: Keelers mother and father report the incident at Colnbrook police station.
MI5 documents and police records say Christines mother and step father went to the police - Christine would be paid 5-10 if she said she was in love with Ivanov, and said she passed info between Profumo to Ivanov “as a joke”.
Mar 23: Mandy visits Julie, Christine’s mother, in Whaysbury with two reporters, asking where Christine is and the reporters offer £70.
Mar 24: News of the World report that Christine sent a postcard to Paula Hamilton from Spain. “Christine says Ivanov is a friend of hers”.
Mar 25: George Wigg MP appears on BBC Panorama, and states that it is his view that Stephen Ward and the Soviet Naval Attaché Ivanov were security risks. (Harold Wilson - Parliament debate 17.06.63)
Mar 26: Stephen Ward meets George Wigg MP at House of Commons - Ward tells a story of a London underworld of vice, violence, drugs and crime George Wigg reports to Harold Wilson MP who brings it to the Prime Minister. (Harold Wilson - parliament debate 17.06.63)
Mar 27: Meeting was called at the Houses of Parliament between the home secretary, Henry Brooke, Met chief constable, Sir Joseph Simpson, and The head of MI5, Roger Hollis. It is alleged that at this meeting it was agreed the police needed to “Get” Stephen Ward. (BBC Documentary- Tom Mangold 2020)
Mar 28: Christine flies back from Spain to England, Kim and Christine are Interviewed on return.
Mar 29: Recent MI5 files - Mr Eddowes reports to special branch - he was told by keeler that Ivanov had asked her to find out from Profumo the date nuclear warheads would be delivered to West Germany. She said she had not done this. But went on to say, Profumo had told her that a nuclear explosion had nearly happened in England when a rat gnawed through a cable.
Kim and Christine are apparently taken to top floor of The Hilton Hotel at Heathrow by people who claim to be from the security services. Christine is warned that they will “get Stephen Ward” and, unless she helps, Christine will go to prison and they will “throw away the key” - (unwritten account)
Mar 24: News of the World report that Christine sent a postcard to Paula Hamilton from Spain. “Christine says Ivanov is a friend of hers”.
Mar 25: George Wigg MP appears on BBC Panorama, and states that it is his view that Stephen Ward and the Soviet Naval Attaché Ivanov were security risks. (Harold Wilson - Parliament debate 17.06.63)
Mar 26: Stephen Ward meets George Wigg MP at House of Commons - Ward tells a story of a London underworld of vice, violence, drugs and crime George Wigg reports to Harold Wilson MP who brings it to the Prime Minister. (Harold Wilson - parliament debate 17.06.63)
Mar 27: Meeting was called at the Houses of Parliament between the home secretary, Henry Brooke, Met chief constable, Sir Joseph Simpson, and The head of MI5, Roger Hollis. It is alleged that at this meeting it was agreed the police needed to “Get” Stephen Ward. (BBC Documentary- Tom Mangold 2020)
Mar 28: Christine flies back from Spain to England, Kim and Christine are Interviewed on return.
Mar 29: Recent MI5 files - Mr Eddowes reports to special branch - he was told by keeler that Ivanov had asked her to find out from Profumo the date nuclear warheads would be delivered to West Germany. She said she had not done this. But went on to say, Profumo had told her that a nuclear explosion had nearly happened in England when a rat gnawed through a cable.
Kim and Christine are apparently taken to top floor of The Hilton Hotel at Heathrow by people who claim to be from the security services. Christine is warned that they will “get Stephen Ward” and, unless she helps, Christine will go to prison and they will “throw away the key” - (unwritten account)
From British Pathe
Chrisitne moves in with Paula and her brother John Hamilton-Marshall, First Floor 33 Devonshire Street. They have a housekeeper, Olive Brooker.
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Apr 1: Christine goes to the Old Bailey to explain non-appearance at the Johnny Edgecombe trial. Waiting outside the court for Christine to arrive is a crowd of onlookers and photographers, along with Lucky Gordon who accosts her, needing five police officers to subdue him. (Picture)
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Apr 1: Investigation of Stephen Ward by the metropolitan police begins.
Apr 4/5: Police interview Christine about Stephen Ward.
Profumo takes legal action against the British distributors of an Italian magazine that had printed a story hinting at his guilt. He is awarded costs and £50 damages.
Apr 7: News of the World publishes Christine story by Peter Earle.
Apr 12: Gordon comes to 33 Devonshire Street and assaults John Hamilton-Marshall. The police are called, though it is unclear if Lucky Gordon is arrested.
Christine is separately assured by police that Lucky Gordon will be “off the streets for a week or so”
Apr 17: Christine is told - Stephen Ward stands surety for Lucky Gordon who is being held by the police, and Lucky Gordon is released. (See Jan 1963 Ward confirmed he has previously posted bail for Gordon - it is unclear if this the same event or another time)
In court Gordon would state he spoke to Stephen.on this night.
John Hamilton-Marshall and Christine slap each other over something nasty he said to his sister Paula. Chris is left with a cut above her eye. "This wasn’t so much fighting, as wrestling on the couch. Christine Keeler was calling for Mrs Brooker. She came in and called for Paula, and they both pulled me off Christine. Paula on one side, Mrs Brooker on the other"? JHM court testimony.
Some time around 9pm JHM leaves sometime after Rudolph “Truello” Fenton and Clarence Camacchio arrive. Christine is very clear that this is when she first met them.
Apr 18: in the early hours Christine and Rudolph “Truello” Fenton and a friend Clarence Camacchio were going to go dancing.
Christine is first down the steps from the flat and outside followed by Fenton and Camacchio. Lucky Gordon is waiting and he launches an attack on her, slaps of punches her, pushes her to the floor and kicks her in the chest, Christine gets up and is pushed into the entrance doorway, she may also trip over a bag in the entranceway. Paula sees the attack and runs upstairs to call the police. Christine is chased upstairs. (Per transcripts from trial, however, that Fenton and Camacchio hold him back and send him on his way is not talked about 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.. Gordon grabbed Keeler and struck her."
Mr Camacchio said that Keeler crawled upstairs.." - testimony from Camacchio given in account at a later trail.
The police are called and at 12:45 am and Dr Francis Hughes examines Christine's injuries.
Fenton and Comacchio beseech Christine not to involve them with the police, one man is married, the other on probation and they are both West Indian. They hide in the flat when the police turn up.
Christine's account of events to the police, do not include the witnesses, Fenton and Comacchio. (This will prove devastating for Christine at trial)
Christine also notes that Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert and inspector Burrows are most interested in Lucky Gordon's connection to Stephen Ward, how she had first met Lucky through Stephen and Stephen's interest in West Indian girls.
Apr 18: Christine moves to Primrose Hill
Apr 19: Lucky Gordon arrested for assault on Christine, He is also interviewed and gives a statement to Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert for the Stephen Ward case.
Apr 23: Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert arranges for the arrest of Mandy Rice-Davies at Heathrow for having a driving license with false date of birth. Mandy's bail is set at an affordable amount and she is held in Holloway Prison for nine days.
May: Mandy Rice-Davies appears at West London Magistrates’ Court and later flies to Majorca
Mandy is arrested again returning for holiday, this time in connection with a rented TV. She is released after giving a statement against Stephen Ward.
Apr 26: Lucky Gordon committal proceedings. Christine gives her address as 33 Devonshire St.
Apr 4/5: Police interview Christine about Stephen Ward.
Profumo takes legal action against the British distributors of an Italian magazine that had printed a story hinting at his guilt. He is awarded costs and £50 damages.
Apr 7: News of the World publishes Christine story by Peter Earle.
Apr 12: Gordon comes to 33 Devonshire Street and assaults John Hamilton-Marshall. The police are called, though it is unclear if Lucky Gordon is arrested.
Christine is separately assured by police that Lucky Gordon will be “off the streets for a week or so”
Apr 17: Christine is told - Stephen Ward stands surety for Lucky Gordon who is being held by the police, and Lucky Gordon is released. (See Jan 1963 Ward confirmed he has previously posted bail for Gordon - it is unclear if this the same event or another time)
In court Gordon would state he spoke to Stephen.on this night.
John Hamilton-Marshall and Christine slap each other over something nasty he said to his sister Paula. Chris is left with a cut above her eye. "This wasn’t so much fighting, as wrestling on the couch. Christine Keeler was calling for Mrs Brooker. She came in and called for Paula, and they both pulled me off Christine. Paula on one side, Mrs Brooker on the other"? JHM court testimony.
Some time around 9pm JHM leaves sometime after Rudolph “Truello” Fenton and Clarence Camacchio arrive. Christine is very clear that this is when she first met them.
Apr 18: in the early hours Christine and Rudolph “Truello” Fenton and a friend Clarence Camacchio were going to go dancing.
Christine is first down the steps from the flat and outside followed by Fenton and Camacchio. Lucky Gordon is waiting and he launches an attack on her, slaps of punches her, pushes her to the floor and kicks her in the chest, Christine gets up and is pushed into the entrance doorway, she may also trip over a bag in the entranceway. Paula sees the attack and runs upstairs to call the police. Christine is chased upstairs. (Per transcripts from trial, however, that Fenton and Camacchio hold him back and send him on his way is not talked about 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.. Gordon grabbed Keeler and struck her."
Mr Camacchio said that Keeler crawled upstairs.." - testimony from Camacchio given in account at a later trail.
The police are called and at 12:45 am and Dr Francis Hughes examines Christine's injuries.
Fenton and Comacchio beseech Christine not to involve them with the police, one man is married, the other on probation and they are both West Indian. They hide in the flat when the police turn up.
Christine's account of events to the police, do not include the witnesses, Fenton and Comacchio. (This will prove devastating for Christine at trial)
Christine also notes that Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert and inspector Burrows are most interested in Lucky Gordon's connection to Stephen Ward, how she had first met Lucky through Stephen and Stephen's interest in West Indian girls.
Apr 18: Christine moves to Primrose Hill
Apr 19: Lucky Gordon arrested for assault on Christine, He is also interviewed and gives a statement to Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert for the Stephen Ward case.
Apr 23: Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert arranges for the arrest of Mandy Rice-Davies at Heathrow for having a driving license with false date of birth. Mandy's bail is set at an affordable amount and she is held in Holloway Prison for nine days.
May: Mandy Rice-Davies appears at West London Magistrates’ Court and later flies to Majorca
Mandy is arrested again returning for holiday, this time in connection with a rented TV. She is released after giving a statement against Stephen Ward.
Apr 26: Lucky Gordon committal proceedings. Christine gives her address as 33 Devonshire St.
The Lewis Morley shoot early in May
May: Christine Keeler Chair photo-shoot by Lewis Morley at Edgar Brind’s Greek Street studio, London.
May 7: Recent MI5 papers - Stephen complains to the PMs principle secretary that the police enquiry is ruining his business and that the “Attachment between profumo and keeler was deeper then reported”
May 17/18: Christine flies to Nice, France, presumably for a modelling job (shots from the Riciera) per passport stamp
May 19: Ward writes to Home Secretary Henry Brooke and later to opposition leader Harold Wilson complaining about police persecution.
May 20: Christine sees Ward at Bryanston Mews West for probably the last time.
May 21: Stephen Ward gives a statement to the press, however no newspaper will print the story without proof.
May 7: Recent MI5 papers - Stephen complains to the PMs principle secretary that the police enquiry is ruining his business and that the “Attachment between profumo and keeler was deeper then reported”
May 17/18: Christine flies to Nice, France, presumably for a modelling job (shots from the Riciera) per passport stamp
May 19: Ward writes to Home Secretary Henry Brooke and later to opposition leader Harold Wilson complaining about police persecution.
May 20: Christine sees Ward at Bryanston Mews West for probably the last time.
May 21: Stephen Ward gives a statement to the press, however no newspaper will print the story without proof.
Now admitting he had lied to the house Profumo resigns
May 25: Labour MP George Wigg raises a question in the House of Commons about possible security matters.
May 27: Edgecombe’s appeal dismissed.
May 27: Robin Drury interviews Christine on tape in London for a book/film story of her life. She talks honestly about the night Lucky Gordon attacked her in April, the two witnesses and John having slapped her.
Jun 4: With the Lucky Gordon trial imminent, Profumo expects to be named in court so, in a letter to the Prime Minister, he resigns from the Cabinet, admitting lying to the House of Commons about his relationship with Christine Keeler.
Jun 5: Lucky Gordon trial begins at Central Criminal Court for the assault on Christine
Jun 6: Gordon, unhappy with his defence, decides to represent himself.
The trial is widely reported particularly an explosive statement in court from Lucky Gordon.
May 27: Edgecombe’s appeal dismissed.
May 27: Robin Drury interviews Christine on tape in London for a book/film story of her life. She talks honestly about the night Lucky Gordon attacked her in April, the two witnesses and John having slapped her.
Jun 4: With the Lucky Gordon trial imminent, Profumo expects to be named in court so, in a letter to the Prime Minister, he resigns from the Cabinet, admitting lying to the House of Commons about his relationship with Christine Keeler.
Jun 5: Lucky Gordon trial begins at Central Criminal Court for the assault on Christine
Jun 6: Gordon, unhappy with his defence, decides to represent himself.
The trial is widely reported particularly an explosive statement in court from Lucky Gordon.
"She has told me of her past, about Stephen Ward and being that she had known him since she was about 14. And she went to live with him, and since then he has been teaching her to aggravate people. Not only that, but since she turned the age of 17 she has been on the phone working as a call-girl and supporting him."
Lucky Gordon’s explosive statement in court.
To lie in the nude |
Lucky Gordon's statement is front of the Evening News. “Gordon said that Christine had been working as a call girl and supporting Dr Stephen Ward”.
Lucky Gordon calls on other witnesses, Fenton and Camacchio, the police return that they cannot be found.
Jun 7: Lucky Gordon is convicted of Actual Bodily Harm against Christine and sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
Jun 7: Christine tells Daily Express about seeing Profumo.
Robin Drury and a friend Alex ask Christine for £15,000 to turn the tapes into a book. Christine disagrees and they end up burning the tapes. Unbeknownst to Christine, there is a copy.
Jun 8: Stephen Ward is arrested and denied bail, he is charged with living off the immoral earnings of Christine, Mandy and some other woman including Ronna Riccardo.
Jun 9: Sunday Mirror publish the ‘Darling’ letter from Profumo.
News of the World begins the Christine £23,000 story ‘Confessions of Christine’ and continues it on 16 and 23 June. ‘I yielded to this wonderful huggy bear of a man’.
Robin Drury now tells Christine that he still has the tapes, they had burned a copy, and he now wanted £10,000 For them or he would hand them over to the police.
Comarchio was also being offered money by the press to go to the police and say that Christine had lied in the Gordon assault trial, he too was asking Christine for money to keep his silence.
Jun 11: Gordon gives notice of appeal.
Michael Eddowes tells the newspaper “Ivanov had asked Christine to get secrets from Jack”.
Jun 14: Rice-Davies tells police about “The Man in the Mask” and the the sex parties.
Lucky Gordon calls on other witnesses, Fenton and Camacchio, the police return that they cannot be found.
Jun 7: Lucky Gordon is convicted of Actual Bodily Harm against Christine and sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
Jun 7: Christine tells Daily Express about seeing Profumo.
Robin Drury and a friend Alex ask Christine for £15,000 to turn the tapes into a book. Christine disagrees and they end up burning the tapes. Unbeknownst to Christine, there is a copy.
Jun 8: Stephen Ward is arrested and denied bail, he is charged with living off the immoral earnings of Christine, Mandy and some other woman including Ronna Riccardo.
Jun 9: Sunday Mirror publish the ‘Darling’ letter from Profumo.
News of the World begins the Christine £23,000 story ‘Confessions of Christine’ and continues it on 16 and 23 June. ‘I yielded to this wonderful huggy bear of a man’.
Robin Drury now tells Christine that he still has the tapes, they had burned a copy, and he now wanted £10,000 For them or he would hand them over to the police.
Comarchio was also being offered money by the press to go to the police and say that Christine had lied in the Gordon assault trial, he too was asking Christine for money to keep his silence.
Jun 11: Gordon gives notice of appeal.
Michael Eddowes tells the newspaper “Ivanov had asked Christine to get secrets from Jack”.
Jun 14: Rice-Davies tells police about “The Man in the Mask” and the the sex parties.
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Jun 17: Debate in Parliament, SECURITY (MR. PROFUMO'S RESIGNATION).
Jun 15: ( MI5 files released Oct 2022) - Actor Robert Mitchum is apparently interviewed at his house in Elstree in connection with the Ward case: He said he gave parties where people drank lots and took their clothes off. “Your sort wouldn't like it very much” Many Rice Davies is linked to Robert Mitchum when he stayed at the savoy. - a sense of the times |
An amusing story in The Mirror, They can report that there are disgusting rumors that Prince Philip is involved and these rumors are completely untrue.
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Jun 24: Lord Denning starts work on his report into possible security breaches arising from the Profumo scandal.
Jun 28: Ward committal proceedings Marylebone Magistrates’ Court.
Jul 3: Stephen Ward committed for trial and given bail.
Sometime soon after 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
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)
Robin Drury hands the tapes over to the police, having not received a pay off from Christine. - not sure of the date but the police have the tape the same weekend.
Jul 7: The People newspaper find one of the ‘missing witnesses’ Camacchio “maybe I know something, maybe I don’t. It’s not my business”
Jul: Christine meets Lord Denning. Christine is now convinced that Stephen Ward is a Russian Spy and she tells Denning how Stephen had introduced her, at Wimpole Mews, to Roger Hollis (head of MI5, a suspected Russian spy) and Anthony Blunt (since confirmed as a Russian spy) and about Sir Geoffrey Nicholson MP meeting Eugene Ivanov. She told him Stephen had once got her to take documents to the Russian embassy, and how Stephen had once said President Kennedy was too dangerous and needed to be “put out of the picture”.
Lord Denning met with Stephen on 3 occasions for his investigation, and Profumo on two occasions.
Robin Drury hands the tapes over to the police, having not received a pay off from Christine. - not sure of the date but the police have the tape the same weekend.
Jul 7: The People newspaper find one of the ‘missing witnesses’ Camacchio “maybe I know something, maybe I don’t. It’s not my business”
Jul: Christine meets Lord Denning. Christine is now convinced that Stephen Ward is a Russian Spy and she tells Denning how Stephen had introduced her, at Wimpole Mews, to Roger Hollis (head of MI5, a suspected Russian spy) and Anthony Blunt (since confirmed as a Russian spy) and about Sir Geoffrey Nicholson MP meeting Eugene Ivanov. She told him Stephen had once got her to take documents to the Russian embassy, and how Stephen had once said President Kennedy was too dangerous and needed to be “put out of the picture”.
Lord Denning met with Stephen on 3 occasions for his investigation, and Profumo on two occasions.
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July 16: Superintendent Axon interview one of the missing witnesses from the April LG assault - Peter Camacchio
July 18: The other missing witness Fenton with his solicitor visit the police. Jul 22: Trial of Stephen Ward starts. Charges include living off the immoral earnings of a number of women. During the trial Mandy is questioned regarding her affair with Lord Astor, and that Lord Astor had denied any affair. Mandy replies with the iconic quote “He would say that, wouldn’t he?” Christine relationship with Major Jim Eynan and Profumo's £20 gift for her mother are used as evidence of prostitution. Mandy’s £100 rent cheque from Lord Astor and money she had received after sex with Dr Savundra, “the Indian Doctor” was used as evidence of prostitution linked to Stephen. |
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(Lord Parker's note is often criticised as Christine isn’t condemned as a perjurer. It may be that Lord Parker didn't want to overreach in his statement, or he was pressured not to risk the Ward trial and, having reviewed the original trial, he may have felt some sympathy for Christine who was still clearly the victim of a crime)
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To Ronna Riccardo great credit, at trial she retracts her police statement, that she had sex for money and given it to Stephen. She accuses Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert making her lie and threatening her family.
A prostitute called Vickie Barrett gave evidence that Stephen had introduced her to men for sex on a number of occasions and kept the money, evidence that seemed improbable. Jul 30: The Lucky Gordon appeal of his conviction in the assaults of Christine is upheld by Lord Parker. Lord Parker’s note to Stephen Ward's trial regarding this appeal is ambiguous. Lucky Gordon is freed from prison soon after. |
In the Stephen Ward trial, after a damning summing up from Sir Archie Marshall, Stephen Ward, now despairing and convinced he will be found guilty, returns home for the last time.
That evening Stephen writes a number of letters to friends before taking an overdose of barbiturates.
Jul 31: With Stephen Ward in hospital, in what is seen as one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history, the trial concluded and Stephen is found guilty of living off the immoral earnings guilty in absentia.
Aug 2: Christine is devastated at the news of Stephen suicide attempt and has a panic attack, as recorded in court by Dr M Leser.
Aug 3: Stephen Ward dies in St Stephen's Hospital Chelsea.
That evening Stephen writes a number of letters to friends before taking an overdose of barbiturates.
Jul 31: With Stephen Ward in hospital, in what is seen as one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history, the trial concluded and Stephen is found guilty of living off the immoral earnings guilty in absentia.
Aug 2: Christine is devastated at the news of Stephen suicide attempt and has a panic attack, as recorded in court by Dr M Leser.
Aug 3: Stephen Ward dies in St Stephen's Hospital Chelsea.
Christine Reading the Denning Report
Aug: the Robin Drury tapes of Christine are now in the possession of the courts.
Sep 6: Christine, Paula Hamilton-Marshall and Olive Booker are arrested and appear at magistrates’ court. There are a number of charges including perjury at the Lucky Gordon assault trial.
Sep: Christine buys 30 Linhope Street, London NW1, and moves in not long afterwards.
Sep 25: Denning report published, the inquires into the events, key players were interviewed. The report found no breaches of security arising from the Ivanov involvement and ministers had acted appropriately. Even at the time, the report was widely dismissed as a whitewash.
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Sep 6: Christine, Paula Hamilton-Marshall and Olive Booker are arrested and appear at magistrates’ court. There are a number of charges including perjury at the Lucky Gordon assault trial.
Sep: Christine buys 30 Linhope Street, London NW1, and moves in not long afterwards.
Sep 25: Denning report published, the inquires into the events, key players were interviewed. The report found no breaches of security arising from the Ivanov involvement and ministers had acted appropriately. Even at the time, the report was widely dismissed as a whitewash.
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Oct 2/4: Committal proceeding in the case against Christine and others for perjury, Magistrate Aubrey Fletcher.
Camacchio has also denied Christine’s story, that he had attempted to blackmail her, and Christine is also charged with falsely accusing him of blackmail. Oct 4: Robin Drury does an interview and states - Christine said on tape that Lucky Gordon had not hit her. This is contradicted in court by detective Axion who says the tape does not say that. Oct 18: Seen as out of touch and severely damaged by the Profumo scandal, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan resigns. Nov: Christine is advised to plead guilty to perjury, and throw herself on the mercy of the court. She is told the other charges of conspiracy and falsely accusing Camacchio of blackmail will be dropped and she would likely serve 6 months in prison. She is advised if she fights the case, with public opinion against her, she will likely get two years, and leave herself open to a civil case on the blackmail charge. Nov 26: Robin Drury is quoted as saying he is penniless - Evening Standard Dec 6: Christine pleads guilty to perjury in the case against Lucky Gordon. Jeremy Hutchinson, her barrister, pleads her case for leniency in a speech thought of as one of the most brilliant and longest speeches at the Old Bailey. Christine has been the victim of wicked men, including Stephen. She is sentenced to nine months in Holloway Prison |
“And if private eye print a picture of me on a bed, I’ll sue” Private Eye being satirical.
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Private Eye - Dec 1963
Dr Ward was on his own admission a man without morals. What he lacked in morals he made up for in charm. He had great artistic flair and won his way into a snob world of power and privilege, taking with him young girls. Miss Keeler was one of them, whom he groomed and fashioned – rather a sort of perverted professor Higgins.” - extract from Jeremy Hutchinson speech at the Old Bailey.
1964
Christine taken on her release from prison
Jun 8: Christine is released from Holloway after serving six months and returns to live at 30 Linhope Street.
Aug - Heavily pregnant friend, Kim Proctor, moves in with Chris.
Oct 16: The ruling Conservative Party loses in the general election, the Profumo affair having destroyed the credibility of its government.
Aug - Heavily pregnant friend, Kim Proctor, moves in with Chris.
Oct 16: The ruling Conservative Party loses in the general election, the Profumo affair having destroyed the credibility of its government.
1965
Oct 22: Christine marries James Edward Levermore
1966
Mar 7: Lord William Astor dies.
Apr 16: Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert dies. With a £300 per annum salary, he leaves an unexplained £30,000 in his bank account (£200,000 in today's money).
Jun 22: Christine has son James Levermore.
Apr 16: Chief Inspector Samuel Herbert dies. With a £300 per annum salary, he leaves an unexplained £30,000 in his bank account (£200,000 in today's money).
Jun 22: Christine has son James Levermore.
1969
Jul 7: David Bailey photographs Christine
The News of the World publishes Christine Keeler's memoirs.
Oct 2: Independent Television Authority bans ITV stations from carrying commercials for the News of the World that mentioned Keeler or her memoirs.
Oct: Both the BBC and ITV announces that any planned appearances by Keeler have been scrapped.
The News of the World publishes Christine Keeler's memoirs.
Oct 2: Independent Television Authority bans ITV stations from carrying commercials for the News of the World that mentioned Keeler or her memoirs.
Oct: Both the BBC and ITV announces that any planned appearances by Keeler have been scrapped.
1971
Feb: Christine marries Anthony Platt.
Dec 4: Christine has a son, Seymour Platt.
Dec 4: Christine has a son, Seymour Platt.
1972
Mid year: Christine and Anthony Platt separate.
1973
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Lucky Gordon is sentenced to six months for stabbing an ex girlfriend five or six times with a screwdriver
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1975
Portrait by Irish artist Philip Corley, the only portrait Christine sat for.
(Thank you to Richard Fairchild for use of the image)
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January: Artist Philip Corely, with whom she had a brief relationship, paints Christine. Not including sketches by Stephen, it’s the only portrait Christine sat for. The figure in the background represents John Profumo.
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Back panel of portrait by artist Philip Corley, Christine’s signature is clear.
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1976
Apr 25: Collin King (previously Colin Keeler) Christine’s father dies. Christine would only find out a few years later
Christine and her son Seymour travel to Rio in Brazil where she has been asked to go over for some interviews with local press. Whilst there, everything changes for Christine, all of her money is suddenly gone, her then solicitors who have been dealing with her business affairs stop taking her calls and Christine struggles to return home, Her and her son are stuck in Brazil for several months.
1977
May 27: After an acrimonious legal battle, Christine and Anthony Platt Decree Nisi is granted and their divorce is complete. Son Seymour is made ‘A Ward of Court’.
1978
Jan 18: Christine and Seymour new address: Flat 7, 67 Elm Park Gardens, London.
Apr 17: Housed by the council at 25 Dartrey Tower, World’s End Estate, London. The flat was new and completely empty, the council puts in carpet and some kitchen appliances a small amount of furniture as she is deemed destitute.
Around this time - Christine met with Lucky Gordon. It was arranged by Frank Crichlow who owed the El Rio club.
Christine took her son Seymour, now that Christine had nothing she needed to hear from Lucky that he would leave her alone. (Nothing but)
“I have a vivid memory of that day, Frank with his big beard, he seemed so friendly but clearly in charge, Chris told me he was an important man. There was a group of men and Chris all sitting around in a restaurant, the tables had been cleared. I was sent out to play with the other children while the grown ups talked,” - Seymour
Apr 17: Housed by the council at 25 Dartrey Tower, World’s End Estate, London. The flat was new and completely empty, the council puts in carpet and some kitchen appliances a small amount of furniture as she is deemed destitute.
Around this time - Christine met with Lucky Gordon. It was arranged by Frank Crichlow who owed the El Rio club.
Christine took her son Seymour, now that Christine had nothing she needed to hear from Lucky that he would leave her alone. (Nothing but)
“I have a vivid memory of that day, Frank with his big beard, he seemed so friendly but clearly in charge, Chris told me he was an important man. There was a group of men and Chris all sitting around in a restaurant, the tables had been cleared. I was sent out to play with the other children while the grown ups talked,” - Seymour
1979
To get away from the names Keeler and Platt Christine changes her name to Christine Sloane.
1983
Nothing But ... Christine Keeler by Christine Keeler and Sandy Fawkes (New English Library) is published.
Christine is very unhappy with the finished book, and doesn't have the control she wants to make changes.
Feb: Mariella Novotny found dead at 41 years of age, she had choked on her own vomit while eating jelly in bed. Mariella had been talking about publishing an expanded memoir on her lifetime of sexual encounters, Christine and others have claimed her death was suspicious.
Marriella was also interviewed by Denning, testimony that will be available to the public in 2048.
Christine is very unhappy with the finished book, and doesn't have the control she wants to make changes.
Feb: Mariella Novotny found dead at 41 years of age, she had choked on her own vomit while eating jelly in bed. Mariella had been talking about publishing an expanded memoir on her lifetime of sexual encounters, Christine and others have claimed her death was suspicious.
Marriella was also interviewed by Denning, testimony that will be available to the public in 2048.
1984
John Hamilton-Marshal dies,. in “An English Affair” by Richard Davenport it is alleged that he committed suicide with Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
1988
Jan 8: Christine appears in Bryan Ferry music video for the song “Kiss and Tell”, alongside Mandy Smith, famous for her relationship with Bill Wyman. It was a long day filming but Christine didn’t meet Bryan Ferry who only arrived on set after she had left. She was told by the crew Bryan was very shy.
Jun 3: Christine appears on Channel 4 show “After Dark” a late night conversation show.
Jun 25: The last time Christine and son Seymour see her mother and her son Jimmy (James), after an innocuous argument, Christine’s mother vows never to speak to her again.
Jun 3: Christine appears on Channel 4 show “After Dark” a late night conversation show.
Jun 25: The last time Christine and son Seymour see her mother and her son Jimmy (James), after an innocuous argument, Christine’s mother vows never to speak to her again.
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Her book Scandal! by Christine Keeler is published.
Scandal the movie is released, staring Joanne Whalley Kilmer and John Hurt. Christine attends premier at Leicester Square with her son Seymour. April - Christine and Seymour travel to America to publicise film. Jun 26: They rent 38 Oslo Court, Prince Albert Road, London NW8. July: Christine goes to Australia to publicise Scandal. Jul 21: They now move do 60 Tormount Road, London. |
Sue Lawley interviews Christine and John Hurt for the film Scandal.
Sue Lawley appears to be quite hostile - “..hasn’t the family of Profumo suffered enough..” |
1990
Christine buys 129 Edgeley Road, London SW4 6HD
1991
Interview with Channel 4 - on the places important to to Christine growing up.
She tells her story about finding a Second World War bomb in the river and taking it home.
She tells her story about finding a Second World War bomb in the river and taking it home.
1993
Christine Keeler travels to Moscow to meet Eugene Ivanov and publicise his book “The Naked Spy". They meet for the first time since he returned to Russia in 1963.
She said how shocked at how old he was, and he wasn't at all well.
30 year after the Denning report was published, it is time to release the secret documents to public or destroy them. John Major, then Prime Minister, apparently reviewed the papers and it was decided to keep the records secret until 2048.
She said how shocked at how old he was, and he wasn't at all well.
30 year after the Denning report was published, it is time to release the secret documents to public or destroy them. John Major, then Prime Minister, apparently reviewed the papers and it was decided to keep the records secret until 2048.
1994
Jan 17 - Eugene Ivanov dies
1997
Christine is living at 418 Fairfax Drive, Westcliff on Sea, Essex SS0 9RW, to be near her remaining family
1999
Christine moves to 18 Bruce Grove, London.
2001
The Truth at Last - My Story by Christine Keeler with Douglas Thompson (Sidgwick and Jackson) is published.
2002
Christine and son Seymour at his wedding 2002
Jul 27: Christine attends her son Seymour’s wedding in Scotland.
Christine was approaches to be in the first season of “I’m a Celebrity, Get me out of here”. Thanks to her fear of spiders, she never regretted saying no.
Christine was approaches to be in the first season of “I’m a Celebrity, Get me out of here”. Thanks to her fear of spiders, she never regretted saying no.
2006
Mar 9: John Profumo dies.
"I still remember a massive pack of journalists arriving outside Christine's flat in Tottenham" - Seymour
"I still remember a massive pack of journalists arriving outside Christine's flat in Tottenham" - Seymour
2007
Christine’s son moves to Ireland with his family, to be closer Christine sells 18B Bruce Grove, and buys 4 Cecil St, Holyhead.
The night before she leave a removal van with her possessions is stolen.
The night before she leave a removal van with her possessions is stolen.
2008
Christine’s granddaughter is born.
2009
Christine moves back to London, 3 Parkside Court.
2010
Mar 11: Christine moves to 19 Holmoaks House, 47 Bromley Road.
Sep 26: Jonny Edgecombe dies.
Sep 26: Jonny Edgecombe dies.
2012
Jan 10: Julia Ellen Payne, Christine’s mother dies. Christine and her family are not made aware of her death.
Secrets and Lies by Christine Keeler with Douglas Thompson (John Blake) is published.
Secrets and Lies by Christine Keeler with Douglas Thompson (John Blake) is published.
2013
2014
Dec 18: Mandy Rice-Davies dies of cancer.
My life has been one long descent into respectability - Mandy Rice-Davies
2017
Mar 15: Lucky Gordon dies.
Nov 25/26: Christine sees her family, for what will prove to be the last time.
Dec 4: At around 11:15pm, Christine Keeler dies in the The Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington.
Dec 16: Christine's funeral at Kensal Green Crematorium, following a horse drawn procession up Ladbroke Grove.
Nov 25/26: Christine sees her family, for what will prove to be the last time.
Dec 4: At around 11:15pm, Christine Keeler dies in the The Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington.
Dec 16: Christine's funeral at Kensal Green Crematorium, following a horse drawn procession up Ladbroke Grove.
Christines Funeral - Picture Seymour Platt
2019
Dec 6: Her son Seymour, granddaughter and daughter in law scatter Christine’s ashes on the Thames near Hythe End, Wraysbury, where she used to play as a child.
Dec 29: The Trial of Christine Keeler premieres on the BBC.
Dec 29: The Trial of Christine Keeler premieres on the BBC.
2020
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Christine's son Seymour talks about why his mother should not have gone to prison and how funny she was, on Good Morning Britain
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2021
Jun 16: The campaign to overturn and clear Christine Keelers name submits its application for a Royal Pardon to the Secretary of State for Justice. Special thanks to James Harbridge (Solicitor) and Felicity Gerry (Barrister) for their extraordinary help.
2022
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Mar 22: Over 250 pages of evidence and legal documents sent to the CCRC (Criminal Case Review Commission) to overturn Christines 1963 conviction.
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2048
Jan 1: Remaining documents from Lord Denning's report are set to be opened to the public, 75 years after it was first published and still secret and highly sensitive. The papers may mention more on the allegations of spying around the scandal and were therefore embarrassing to the secret service, or maybe the papers just mention the names of powerful people who where at sex parties in the early 1960s. However keeping the papers secret for so long means they must be embarrassing for somebody.
Christine always maintained that these papers would exonerate her.
Christine always maintained that these papers would exonerate her.
