The Profumo affair was a major scandal in twentieth-century British politics that involved sex, espionage and deception. It erupted in 1963 when it was revealed that John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War in Harold Macmillan’s Conservative government, had an extramarital affair with 19-year-old model Christine Keeler, who was also involved with a Soviet naval attaché and spy, Yevgeny Ivanov. The affair exposed the vulnerability of the British government to foreign infiltration and undermined its credibility at home and abroad. It also exposed the hypocrisy and moral decay of the British elite and contributed to the decline of Macmillan’s administration, which resigned later that year.

The affair began in 1961 when Profumo met Keeler at a party hosted by Lord Astor at his country estate, Cliveden. Profumo was one of Britain’s most glamorous politicians—handsome, wealthy, a personal friend of Queen Elizabeth II, and married to the popular actress Valerie Hobson. Keeler was a stunning young woman who had a troubled childhood and worked as a cabaret dancer and a call girl. She was also involved with Stephen Ward, an osteopath and socialite who introduced her to many influential people, including Ivanov.

Profumo and Keeler began a brief but passionate affair that lasted until 1962. They met secretly at Ward’s flat in London or at Cliveden. Profumo was unaware that Keeler was also seeing Ivanov, who was trying to persuade her to obtain information from Profumo about Britain’s nuclear weapons and NATO plans. Keeler later claimed that she never passed on any secrets to Ivanov, but she did tell him about her relationship with Profumo.

The affair became public in 1963 when Keeler’s former boyfriend, Johnny Edgecombe, shot at Ward’s flat in a fit of jealousy. The police investigation led to the discovery of Keeler’s connections with Profumo and Ivanov. The press got wind of the story and began to publish sensational reports about the scandal. Profumo initially denied any impropriety in a statement to the House of Commons, but he later admitted that he had lied and resigned from his post and from Parliament. Macmillan supported Profumo and tried to contain the damage, but he faced mounting criticism from his own party and the opposition. He also suffered from ill health and decided to step down as prime minister in October 1963.

The scandal had far-reaching consequences for all the parties involved. Profumo retired from public life and devoted himself to charity work. He eventually regained some respect and was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975. Keeler faced trial for perjury and conspiracy and served nine months in prison. She later wrote several books about her life and the affair, but she struggled with drug addiction, depression and poverty. She died in 2017 at the age of 75. Ivanov was recalled to Moscow and expelled from the Soviet navy. He died in 1994 at the age of 68. Ward was charged with living off immoral earnings and committed suicide before the verdict was announced. He maintained his innocence until the end and claimed that he was made a scapegoat by the establishment.

The scandal also had a lasting impact on British politics and society. It exposed the fragility of the Conservative government and paved the way for the Labour Party’s victory in the 1964 general election. It also reflected the changing attitudes and values of the British public, who were becoming more cynical about their leaders and more open about sex and morality. The scandal inspired many books, films, plays and songs, including the musical Scandal by Andrew Lloyd Webber.