The Profumo Affair, 1963

Brought down a cabinet minister and rocked the Macmillan government
Symbolised the shifting attitudes to class and privilege that was taking place
1. Britain was becoming a less deferential, less class-ridden society
John Profumo
1. Defence Secretary
2. Trapped by a sex scandal
3. Lied about his involvement, both to parliament and to the PM
4. Resigned in disgrace
Christine Keeler
1. Also sleeping with a Soviet spy, Ivanov
  1. Raised questions about possible leaks of Cold War secrets
    1. Public enquiry held by Lord Denning
2. Became a celebrity
Less politically than socially signifcant
1. Provided an ideal excuse for the press to go after every detail of the sexual behaviour of those involved
  1. Including Lord Astor
2. Press became notably less deferential and more intrusive
  1. Previous tactics used by governments to prevent publication of sensitive/embarrassing information no longer worked

Resource summary

	Created by lizzie.lambrou about 10 years ago