The Trial Of Stephen Ward: Ludovic Kennedy

Ward was a leading player in the Profumo scandal which brought down the Conservative Government 1962. An osteopath and accomplished artist, he was a mover, mixer, stirrer and shaker in upper class circles, mixing with peers and prostitutes singly and together. He was a great name dropper. He had a plausible manner and tons of charm. He was friendly with Captain Ivanov, the Russian Naval attache who was conducting an affair with model Christine Keeler, a friend of Ward's, at the time she was involved in an affair with John Profumo, Minister for War. News of this potentially dangerous tangled involvement reached the ears of the Cabinet Secretary, who had a word with Profumo and the affair ended. The matter may have concluded there, but for Ward's continued association with Ivanov - and his love of playing at politics which brought about his own destruction. Illustrated with black and white photographs. The author was refused a copy of a full or partial transcript by the Court of Criminal Appeal but was able to obtain a transcript through the Press Association.