AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER

1963: John Profumo

In 1961, the secretary of state for war in Harold Macmillian’s government started an affair with Christine Keeler, a 19-yearold model who was also friendly with a Soviet naval attache. Profumo later lied to the House of Commons about his entanglement.

1973: Lord Lambton

A tabloid published photos of the junior defence minister smoking cannabis in bed with prostitutes. He resigned, saying he didn’t see “what the fuss is about”.

1975: Jeremy Thorpe

The Liberal leader stood trial after his former lover Norman Scott accused him of conspiring to have him murdered; however, it was Rinka, Scott’s Great Dane, that took a bullet. The murder plot was ridiculed in court, and all defendants were acquitted – but Thorpe’s reputation never recovered.

1992: David Mellor

The culture secretary’s former mistress, actress Antonia da Sancha, sold a kiss-and-tell story of their extra-marital affair to a tabloid for £35,000. Mellor marshalled his wife and family for a now-infamous “five-bar-gate” photocall, but still resigned.