Christine Keeler, a central figure in the Profumo scandal, has been denied a posthumous Royal pardon, much to the dismay of her family. Officials from the Ministry of Justice rejected the request for a Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM) that sought to overturn Keeler’s perjury conviction from 1963. Keeler’s family is determined to clear her name, alleging that the legal action against her was orchestrated to tarnish her reputation following her involvement with Tory minister John Profumo in the 1960s.
In a communication reviewed by the Mirror, Ministry of Justice authorities acknowledged that Keeler had faced an “injustice” but maintained that revisiting historical events through modern legal standards was impractical. They cited the absence of new evidence or exceptional circumstances to justify granting a Royal pardon. Keeler’s son, Seymour Platt, criticized the decision, especially in light of Justice Secretary David Lammy recently granting a posthumous pardon to Ruth Ellis, who was executed in 1955.
Platt expressed his satisfaction with Ellis’s pardon and highlighted the need for justice for his mother, emphasizing a commitment to challenging her conviction. Keeler’s involvement in the Profumo scandal led to significant political repercussions, culminating in her imprisonment for perjury shortly after the scandal unfolded. The family argues that Keeler’s testimony against her assailant, Aloysius “Lucky” Gordon, was coerced and fear-driven, necessitating a reevaluation of her conviction.
Despite previous rejections of appeals to reconsider Keeler’s case, the family remains resolute in seeking justice and clearing her name. Dr. Felicity Gerry, a human rights barrister supporting the family, emphasized the importance of recognizing the impact of abuse and coercion on women like Keeler. The Profumo scandal, which rocked British politics in the early 1960s, unfolded with Keeler’s entanglement with prominent figures leading to a chain of events that sparked national security concerns and political upheaval.
Christine Keeler passed away in 2017 following a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The family continues to advocate for justice and vindication for Keeler, aiming to rectify what they perceive as a historical injustice that lingers unresolved.
