The Profumo scandal was fuelled by jealousy

sir – The sad death of Christine Keeler brings back vivid memories of the Profumo scandal (report, December 6).

Much was made of the security risk posed by her simultaneous relationships with the Conservative minister, John Profumo, and a Soviet naval attaché. This always seemed rather fanciful to me; it is much more likely that the unprecedented furore was caused by jealousy.

Profumo appeared to have everything: wealth, status and an attractive wife. For him also to be in a relationship with a woman of such beauty as Christine Keeler was too much for people to take. David Langfield

Pyrford, Surrey

sir – I wish to challenge the myth that the Profumo affair brought down Harold Macmillan’s government.

Macmillan resigned as prime minister and Conservative Party leader in 1963 – at the height of the scandal – because he was suffering from a prostate condition that he feared he would not survive.

Consequently, Alec Douglashome became prime minister and Conservative leader, and it was he who went on to lose the 1964 election. Paul Prideaux

Portsmouth, Hampshire

sir – At first the Profumo scandal provided much entertainment and amusement. However, it quickly began to appear that the establishment was using Christine Keeler as a pawn – something that still goes on today, albeit in a different way.

I trust she can now find peace with God and forgive those who treated her so badly. Graham R Dixon

Hornby, Lancashire