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(2) The Home Secretary agreed that it was no part of the business of =~ the Security Service to concern themselves with what Seeghen Ward - 199. Further, it should be noticed that this intervention by the Home Secretary had two important consequences: First, the Head of tie Security Service immediately gave further consideration to the question of i Ward under the Official Secrets Act (for endeavouring to get information) and tock advice upon it which was against a prosecution. He decided on 4th April, 1963, not to take any action on it, Secondly, the Commissioner of Police immediately gave further consideration to the question of prosecuting Ward, and on Ist April, 1963, set on foot the investigation which eventually led to his prosecution and conviction. — - os a (ii) The Potice investigate Ward’s Activities . 200, On 25th March, 1963, the Criminal Investigation Department began to receive anonymous communications alleging that Stephen Ward was living on the immoral earnings of the girls, and suggesting that, he was being tected by his friends in high places. On 27th March, 1963, the Home Secretary asked the Commissioner wheiher there was a police interest in ‘Ward. On Ist April, 1963, the Commissioner decided that Stephen Ward's activities should be investigated. On 4th April the police began to take state- ments. They took the statements from many of the girls and other persons who might be able to help. In particular they took a statement from Christine Keeler on 4th and 5th April, 1963, which she signed. This dealt mainly with Stephen Ward's conduct: but in it she said that she had had intercourse with Mr. Profumo. She said he had taken her to his house whilst his wife was away and she described the house so exactly that one would think it was not likely to have been invented. These are her words: - a “ When I went to Jack Profumo’s we went off the Outer Circle to a house on the left-hand side of a small road. I went up some steps into # square hall where there are two large ornamental animals, I think dogs. The dining room was on the right and the stairs are straight ahead on . the right. The stairs bend to the left and on the wall is a picture, of all the things that Valerie likes and dislikes including pigeons and jewellery. Facing the top of the stairs is Jack's office, with a drinks cabinet inside. I noticed a strange telephone and he said it was a scrambler. Next door is the Profumo’s bedroom with an adjoining bathroom. I think there were a lot of mirrors in the bathroom. There is a table in the centre of the dining room.” She also said: “T last saw Jack (Profumo) in December, 1961. Stephen Ward had asked me to get information from Jack about the Americans giving the Germans the Bomb. I did not get this information beehuse it was ridiculous and could have been made in a joke.” x {Note-—The question may be asked why these fie were not teported to any Minister. I deal with this later in 382) The police took several further statements from her, namely on 6th and * 26th April, and 6th and 24th May, 1963. On 25th April, 1963, they took a statement from Marilyn Rice-Davies. They took many others, 6 . cad