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ot, * . a oh other things) about. the Clivedea week-end and ‘added that ; subsequently Mr. Profumo visited his fiat on at least six occasions, FI‘ anid that, so far as he knew, nothing improper took place. a ae al - 190. But not everyone was content. Some soon returned. We he . association with Christine Keeler. Qn. Saturday, 23rd March, 196% the Daily Sketch came out with a banner headline ‘Lucky John Profime’, saying that. “the spectacle of a Minister of the Crown having 1 get up to explain his acquaintance with a 21-year-old girl is, to say the least, unedifying ”. On 30th March, 1963, the French newspaper, the Paris-Maitch, published an article saying that “Christine disparait mystérieusement. Profumo a aidé Christine s’enfuir.” Mr. Profumo brought an action for libel in the French Courts: and the Paris-Match published a retraction. On 6th April, 1963, the Italian magazine [1 Tempo published an article saying that the name of Mr. Profumo continued to be associated—notwithstanding his energetic denia] in the House of Commons—with that of a good-looking girl: and that, according to public rumour John Profumo would have encouraged the departure of the girl. It was distributed in this country. On 8th April, 1963, Mr. Profumo issued a writ against the distributors, On 10th April, 1963, the action was settled. Counsel for Mr. Profumo stated in open court that the allegations were unjustifiable and without foundation. The defendants paid £50 damages and all the costs: Mr. Profumo said he Proposed to give the £50 to an Army charity. 191. To go on for a moment: After Mr. Profumo, on 5th June, 1963, acknowledged that he had had improper relations with Christine Keeler, the ; distributors claimed damages from Mr. Profumo because of his unwarranted * claim against them and he had to pay a large sum in settlement. But he : never acknowledged, of course, that he had helped her disappear. That he has always and resolutely denied. 492. Others raised the security issue. On Sunday, 24th March, 1963, the Sunday Telegraph published two articles headed “Dr. Ward's links with Soviet official ” and “ The Boil is Lanced ”. Stephen Ward regarded these as a libel upon him and instructed his solicitor to issue a writ against the newspaper. ‘ (iv) Mr, Wigg’s Memorandom 193. On Monday, 25th March, 1963, Mr. George Wigg, M.P., appeared on television and said that security was the main consideration. He was critical of Ivanov. On the next day, 26th March, Stephen Ward sought an interview with Mr. Wigg in the House of Commons and defended Ivanov. He gave a long rambling account which Mr. Wigg set down in a memorandum in considerable detail. The memorandum shows that Stephen Ward said that his friendshif with Ivanov had been used in the interests of the country. Turning to Mr. Profumo, he described the Cliveden week-end and said that subsequently Mr. Profumo visited his flat on at least six occasions, ana that “as far as he knew, nothing improper took place”. He said the Intelligence Service knew all about the visits. He was certain that mes a time had Mr. Profumo put himself at risk in security matters im Bie-Qpee with Ivanov. He described the recent activities of Christine and Mami he concluded by saying that he wished to convince Mr. Wigg that on sevurity matters he was in the clear. $3