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re rd “Yo a we : vet Paton a tee OG a ete Re 94 No one can understand what happened at this time unless he realises the extreme anxiety felt by Stephen Ward, Mr. Profumo aad, I may add, Lord Astor, over the critical 10 days, Monday, 28th January, 1963-Wednesday, 6th February, 1963. They were very anxious that nothing should be disclosed prejudicial to their good names. Each instructed lawyers to protect his interests. And, as it happened, the main burden was borne by Stephen Ward's Counsel(?) and by Mr. Profumo’s solicitors.) By Friday, Ist February, 1963, they had discovered these disturbing facts: (1) They got to know Christine Keeler had signed a conditional contract paid down: but they did not know what her story contained. in particular they did not know what she had told the newspaper about Stephen Ward, Mr. Profumo or Lord Astor, They got to know that arrangements had been made for her to sign the proofs of her story early in the week beginning Monday, 4th February, and also for her to be accommodated, at the expense of the newspaper, in a flat at The White House, Albany Street. Once the proofs were signed by her as correct, the newspaper would be free to publish the article without fear of any libel action by her, though they would, of course, be liable to libel actions if they made defamatory statements which were untrue about anyone cise. . (2) They got to know that the case of John Edgecombe was in the list Tuesday, 5th February, and Christine Keeler might have to attend any day. The case was expected to be tried that week, and should be finished by the Friday. Christine Keeler was to be an important witness and might be subjected to cross-examination as to her credit and as to her character, and she might bring out their names. Until the trial was over the newspaper might not feel able to print her story, because the matter might be prejudicial to the trial and a contempt of court. Once the case was over the newspaper would be able to publish the articles without fear of being in contempt of court. : (ii) Plans to Stop Publication 95. It was important therefore to do everything possible in law to stop the newspaper publishing the story of Christine Keeler. Here the Jawyers were in a difficulty. In the ordinary way it is very difficult to get an igfjmction to stop the publication of defamatory matter: for if the defencduplk s that the words are true and that they intend to justify them, thecal rarely intervene to stop them: for the court will not pre-judge tha Rta way Aad eee Be Sake whether the words are true or not. But in this case there ap are ‘a way cna Stephen Ward's Counsel was Mr. Rees-Davies, M.P. in all the stages in this apter. “ (') Theodore Goddard & Co. A $1 r ‘% = d to sell her story to the Sunday Pictorial for £1,000, of which £200 was . for trial at the Session at the Central Criminal Court starting on