◆ SpookStack

er In an issue dated 8th March, 1963, this newsletter referred to the fact that ‘the girls had started selling their stories to the Sunday newspapers and added, pa “One of the choicest bits in their stories was a letter, appatentty signed ‘Jock’ on the stationery of the Secretary for W+t. The allegation by this girl was that not only was this Minister, who has a famous actress as his wife, her client, but also the Soviet Military Attaché, apparently a Colonel Ivanov. The famous actress wife, of course, would sue for divorce, the scandal ran. Who was using the call-girl to ‘ milk’ whom of information—the W+r Secretary or the Soviet Military Attaché?—ran the minds of those primarily interested. in security.” This newsletter did not come at once to the knowledge of Mr. Profumo or the Chief Whip or the Attorney-General. They got to know of it about 13th March. ; . - 134, The question has been asked, Why was not an action for libel iaken on this publication? It was clearly defamatory of Mr. Profumo. If he was seeking an opportunity to vindicate himself, why not bring an action? The answer is this: It was considered by Mr. Profumo and his tegal adviser and also the Attorney-General. Mr. Profumo’s legal adviser was disinclined to take action, He did not think this was the right occasion to sue. ‘The Attorney-General agreed with this view. The Westminster Confidential had too small a circulation, and contained scandal about someone else, too, which ought not to be made public. It was very probable that this publication of the Westminster Confidential was only the beginning, so that very soon stories might begin to appear in the national Press. It was better, therefore, to wait for a more substantial publication. ; Se 135. The opportunity to refute the rumours was not long in coming. It came in a fortnight, But it came in an unexpected form. On 2\st March, 1963, Members of Parliament made statements in the House of Commons. Meanwhile many things had happened. Christine Keeler had disappeared. She did not appear to give evidence at the Edgecombe trial. And to add to all the previous rumours, there was a new one, that Mr. Profumo had helped her to disappear. 43