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fd to tell the truth, he was not prepared to help him. Mr. Profwiip told Attorney-General that he had first met Christine Keeler at Cilinien w his wife and many other people were present, That shortly after ie hed g to Stephen Ward's flat for a drink at his invitation and that dinecafier he - had done so on several occasions when Christine Keeler was among the ~~ - guests. Mr. Profumo said that twice when he arrived Christine Keeler was there alone and there had been a period when they were alone together before other people arrived. Mr. Profumo asserted the complete innocence of his friendship with her and said that not only had there been no adultery but no sexual impropriety of any kind whatscever. Mr. Profumo said that he recollected having written to her one short note which he thought began with the word ‘ darling’ telling her that he could not come to a cocktail party. He wrote this note, he said, on the day when he had been seen by the security people and warned by them not to go to Stephen Ward's flat, because one of Ward’s friends was a member of the Russian Embassy. Mr. Profumo said that this was the total limit of his acquaintance with this girl. He had now heard that, based on this association and the one letter, Christie Keeler (who iad recently Become a drug addict and had beer sleeping with West Indians and was short of money) was proposing to . sell a false story to the newspapers which would ruin him. . that he must be absolutely frank with him, and that unless he.was was going | He 118. The Attorney-General questioned Mr. Profumo about everything é which he told him and emphasised again the vital importance of his telling § him the complete truth. He told him that if there was any truth in these ; rumours, he would have to resign. Mr. Profumo reiterated the complete : innocence of his friendship with Christine Keeler and explained that he commonly used the word ‘darling’ but said this was of no consequence ; as, being married to an actress, he had got into the habit of using this i term of endearment which was quite meaningless. 119. The Attorney-General ‘told Mr. Profumo that if his story was true, he would have to take proceedings as soon as he had proof of any publication of any such story. Mr. Profumo again repeated that there was nothing in these rufnours. The Attorney-General then advised him to instruct the best possible solicitors and, that day or next morning, suggested that he should get in touch with Mr, Derek Clogg, a senior partner in Theodore Goddard & Co., a solicitor of high repute and wide experience, 120. After hearing Mr. Profumo’s story the Attorney-General was sus- picious. He thought it was rather odd. And he retained a reasonable incredulity about it. He reported the matter to the Chief Whip and discussed the matter with the Solicitor-General. (iii) The Solicitor-General comes fa 121. A few days later the Attorney-General went to Mr. ; and he asked the Solicitor-General to come too. The jur-Seneral emphasised to Mr. Profumo how vital it was, in his own i of everyone, that he should be absolutely frank. Mr. Paton said he understood that, and he repeated more shortly and in broad outline what he had told the Attorney-General on 28th January; adding that at one of the 38 oe, sap nen