National Trust country house to offer Profumo scandal tour

THE country house associated with one of the greatest political scandals of the 20th century will later this month offer its hotel guests a special package that will include a "scandal tour".

It was at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire that the then war minister Jack Profumo first met 19-year-old Christine Keeler in July 1961 and the two began a relationship.

Ms Keeler was also involved with a naval attache at the Soviet Embassy and later, in 1963, Profumo resigned from Harold Macmillan's Conservative government and as an MP.

On 30 July this year, Cliveden, now a National Trust property, is offering a one-night, 500-for-two package that will include a scandal tour and talk by Profumo Affair expert Rupert Gavin.

Profumo, who was married to the actress Valerie Hobson, lied in the House of Commons when first speaking about the affair.

After his resignation he worked for the rest of his life at an East End of London charity, being awarded a CBE in 1975. He died, aged 91, in 2006.

Osteopath Steven Ward introduced Profumo to Keeler at a house party Ward hosted at Lord Astor's country home, Cliveden

In the summer of 1959, Keeler left her home village, staying briefly in Slough with a friend before heading for London.

She initially worked as a waitress at a restaurant in Baker Street and there met Maureen O'Connor, a girl who worked at Murray's Cabaret Club in Soho.

She introduced Keeler to the owner, Percy Murray, who hired her almost immediately as a topless showgirl. While at Murray's she met Stephen Ward.