THE infamous 1960s sex scandal between a war minister and Christine Keeler continues to fascinate decades on — so much so that the BBC drama on the Profumo affair is proving to be one of the biggest TV hits of the festive season.
But the series, The Trial of Christine Keeler, fails to mention the involvement of former Bolton MP John Lewis — whose chance meeting with Keeler played a part in bringing the affair to light, and played a part in the arrest of Stephen Ward — through who Christine met Profumo.
Keeler’s affairs with Tory cabinet minister John Profumo and a Russian diplomat at the height of the Cold War dominated headlines in the 1960s and contributed to bringing down Harold Macmillan’s government.
Lewis’ links to the scandal was through a partner who was said to have known Ward. John wrongly believed she was having an affair and for that — and other matters— developed a hatred for Ward.
Purely by chance he later met Christine Keeler at a Baker Street nightclub and learned about John Profumo. He had what he needed to plot his revenge, sharing what he had been told with MP George Wigg
Lewis’ — Bolton West's first MP — colourful life is being documented by former Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon.
“There are at least two books on the Profumo affair that mention John Lewis’ involvement,” said Dr Iddon, “I guess the writer had too much info on this subject to include the role of Jack Lewis, which was a minor role.”
Dr Iddon said: “I have written four books altogether on Labour MPs for Bolton covering the period 1906 to 2015.”
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