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Me i THE PRINCIPAL PERSONS) 07 22" (i) Stephen Ward Ce ee 10. The story must start with Stephen Ward, aged 50. The son of a clergyman, by profession he was an osteopath with consulting rooms at 38, Devonshire Street, W. 1. His skill was very considerable and be included among his patients many well-known people. He was also an accomplished portrait artist. His sitters included peopie of much eminence. He had & quick and easy manner of conversation which attracted some but repelled’ others. It pleased him much to meet people in high places, and he was ptoue Be ow oe ew te the ede Fo ane leone, ime wri to exaggerate the nature of his acquaiatanceships with them, He would speak of many of them as if they were great friends when, more often than not, he had only treated them as patients or drawn their portraits. 11. Yet he was at the same time utterly immoral. He had a small house or Mat in London at 17, Wimpole Mews, W.1., and a country cottage on the Cliveden Estate next to the River Thames. He used to pick up pretty girls of the age of 16 or 17, often from night clubs, and induce them to come and stay with him at his house in London. He used to take these girls down at week-ends to his cottage. He seduced many of these himself. He also procured them to be mistresses for his influential friends. He did not confine his attention to promiscuity. He catered also for those of his friends who had perverted tastes. There is evidence that he was ready to arrange for whipping and other sadistic performances. He kept collections of pornographic photographs. He attended parties where there were sexual orgies of a revolting nature. In money matters he was improvident. He did not keep a banking account, He got a firm of solicitors to keep a sort of banking account for him, paying in cheques occasionally to them and getting them to pay his rent. More often he cashed his incoming cheques through other people; or paid his bills with the incoming cheques. He had many cash transactions which left no trace. 12. . Finally, he admired the Soviet régime and sympathised with the Communists. He used to advocate their cause in conversation with his patients, so much so that several became suspicious of him. With others he was more discreet. He became very friendly with a Russian, Captain Eugene Ivanov. To him I now turn. (i) Eugene Ivanev 13. Captain Eugene Ivanov(') was an assistant Russian Naval Attaché at the Russian Embassy in London. As such his role would be diplomatic oniy, He came io this country on 27th March, 1560. Bui ihe Security Getvice discovered that he was also a Russian Intelligence Officer. He had! gpalitics not normally found in a Russian officer in this country. His Engi reasonably good and he was able to converse easily. He draws, Riawever, a good deal and was something of a ladies’ man. He was ke } moet people in this country. He was very impressed by persons of tide, pailicalarly () He was Captain 2nd Rank in the USSR Navy equivalent to Commander in the Royal Navy. _ 7 ner eee |