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ce eee ee * 4 PA Neunag bin AEE befor ieaeh bre fe dent od Do BEE a ee a CHAPTER XVI" BoA en ig pa oars ee ' ENSUING EVENTS :.— . RRS . 223. ‘Mr. Profumo resigned during the Whitsun recess. It was announced. on Wednesday, Sth June, 1963. On 9th June, 1963, the Sunday Mirror published on its front page a photographic copy of Mr. Profumo’s letter of 9th August, 1961, to Christine Keeler. It had come in useful after all. On the same day the News of the World started publishing the Christine Keeler story by instalments. They had agreed to pay her £23,000 for it | 224. The members of the House of Commons held a debate on Monday, 17th June, 1963. On 21st June, 1963, you asked me to undertake this inquiry. During the course of this report I have referred to ‘Lucky’ Gordon and Stephen Ward. It may be useful if I set out the bare details of their trials, but no more, for I do not consider they have any relevance to my inquiry. tga te ete em Te oe ahow (i) The ‘ Lucky’ Gordon Case 225. At 12.30 a.m. on 18th April, 1963, the police received a telephone call to the effect that Christine Keeler had been attacked by Gordon a few } minutes before and that police assistance was required. A search was made x for Gordon and he was arrested about 24 hours later, on 19th April, 1963, at 1.20 a.m. He was committed for trial and remained in custody meanwhile. 236. On the 5th June, 1963, he came up for trial. On the 6th June, 1963, he dispensed with the services of his counsel and conducted his own defence. He said he wanted to call 30 witnesses in bis defence. The Commissioner, after inquiry, decided that only two of the witnesses could actually speak as to what occurred. The police tried to find these two but could not do so. On the 7th June, 1963, Gordon made a statement from the dock. He did not give evidence on oath. The jury found him guilty of occasioning actual bodily harm and he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. 227. On lith June, 1963, he gave notice of appeal. On 30th July, 1963, the Court of Criminal Appeal allowed the appeal on the ground that there were further statements (they were statements of the two witnesses whom Gordon wished to call) which might have led the jury to have reasonable doubt. * (ii) The Ward Case 228. On Ist April, 1963, the police started their investigation into Ward’ activities. Many statements were taken and a report was made in Mage Director of Public Prosecutions. A conference was held with co 7th June. On that very evening information reached Scotland Yard @ was about to leave the country. In consequence Ward was a “ Gt aie ee Saturday, 8th June. He applied for bail but was refused it. He remnaill 7 ane ‘ custody throughout the hearings before the magistrate. These were pers és" concluded until 3rd July, 1963. He was then committed for trial, but allowed - 7 bail, in spi ¢ objections by the police. , ; v B ~ he