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' . Fy 4 t Te: rome _ ‘113. - The Ministers were ¢ concerned ft from a very early stage. Me, Profikaao saw the Attorney-General on 28th January, 1963, ‘before he saw asty Sivyer of his own. And a week later, on 4th February, 1963, he saw the Chief Whip. These Ministers Played a very important part in what took place.. os (i) The Law Officers t14. No one can understand the part played by the Law Officers in the Profumo affair unless he realises that by a convention which is well accepted, any of the Ministers of the Crown {who thinks he may be involved jn litigation) is entitled to consult the Law Officers and ask their advice. of particular, when 2 Minister feels that his good name is being assailed, he is entitled to consult the Law Officers and ask them whether anything said about him is actionable as a libel or slander: and if it is, whether it is convenient from the point of view of the Government that he should bring an action.° 115. It must also be remembered that at the end of January, or early February, 1963, the Law Officers were closely concerned with Lord Radcliffe’s enquiry into the Vassall case. They had given advice to the Ministers whose names were mentioned there. They had very much in mind the position of Mr. Galbraith. Here was a Minister against whom allegations had been ecinnad bi buy im i made, and who had resigned his office. Rumours had spread about him in the Press and in the House of Commons. Yet the evidence against him had, in the course of the inquiry, been shown to be utterly false, and the charge had been disproved. The inquiry had not been concluded—it was not concluded until 5th April, 1963—but the Law Officers had already heard enough to be able to form a good opinion as to the outcome. 116. Such is the background. On 28th January, 1963, Stephen Ward's counsel asked to see the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General was engaged at the Wassall case. So the Solicitor-General saw him instead. Stephen Ward’s counsel told the Solicitor-General that a young gir! proposed to write a story for a newspaper, telling of her relationship with various people, amongst whom was Lord Astor and Mr. Profumo. The Solicitor- General felt that, as Mr. Profumo’s name was mentioned, the Law Officers were interested. And when the Attorney-General got back from the Vassall case at 4.30 p.m., the Solicitor-General said to him: “Here is another of these rumours concerning another Minister, Mr. Profumo”. As a Minister was involved the Attorney-General thought it was his duty to see whether he was going to bring a libel action and, if so, to say he was available to help. So the Attorney-General wrote him a note asking him to come and see him. And that night at about 11 p.m. Mr. Profumo went to sea the Alttoracy-General at his own home: . : one ea (ii) The Attorney-General Interviews Mr. Profemso se a 117. As this first interview is of considerable importance I with it in some detail. The Attorney-General began by telling Mr. 4 37 ‘“ cS - Fee en gn ~