Conservative scandals 1963 - 1964

• What were the three scandals?

  • Argyll divorce
  • Profumo affair
  • Vassal inquiry
• Vassal inquiry 


  • suggested government was not in control of the department
  • vassal was homosexual and blackmailed into giving info about security and nuclear subs to soviets and the navy covered it up
• 1963 Vassal 


  Philby was a soviet spy for decades - Cambridge spy ring

  • recruited for ‘glory of communism’
  • Head of SIS ( MI6 ) - head of anti-soviet department and a spy
  • Private school = couldn’t possibly betray country
• 1963 Argyll divorce case

  Duke sued his wife on grounds of adultery

  • Two government ministers were involved = embarrassment
• 1963 - Profumo affair

  Profumo starts an affair with Keeler who has an affair with with an official spy and military attache - Captain ivanov

  • McMillan believes Profumo who resigns and does MacMillan
• Impact of Profumo affair

  Sorry state of affairs

  • reflected charcuterie of establishment and government - outdated and ridiculous
  • MacMillan was an oblivious and weak leader - out of touch with people and cabinet
  • October 1963 - resigns
• Macmillans resignation 


  • October 1963
  • public pressure from news and satire
  • economy wasn’t well
  • orpington bi-election
  • reaction was night of long knives and sacks 1/3 cabinet
• Issues with resignation

  Butler should’ve taken over but he was left of the party - chancellor, Foriegn secretary and home secretary

  • MacMillan despises him so he chooses ADH ( hereditary peer ) - precednt and convention is an MP
• Alex Douglas - Hugh

  • Resigsn peerage and in 63 wins a bi-election and becomes an MP - only was he could resign