Unseen Christine Keeler pictures to go on show

Images of Christine Keeler as she's never been seen before – nibbling a chicken leg for example, or relaxing in a field – are to go on display for the first time. The Mayor Gallery in London today announced it was to exhibit photographs and letters shining a light on one of the most notorious British political scandals: Keeler's simultaneous affairs with war minister John Profumo and Russian naval attache Yevgeni "Eugene" Ivanov. Seventy images, most of which have never been seen before, will go on display along with letters and memorabilia. In one letter from Holloway prison to her mother and father, the 22-year-old writes jauntily: "Don't worry, I'm fine, in fact it's just like being back at school, and there is a girl I went to school with." Another, penned in 1964, sees her thinking about life after jail: "I am only young and should start on a career of some sort seeing my name is well known. I might as well carry on with it and make us lots of money ha! ha!" The image of Keeler relaxing in a South Downs field – clearly on a windy day – was taken the day after her release from her nine-month jail sentence. Others include pictures of Keeler at one of the infamous Cliveden parties, another of her nibbling a chicken leg, and a shot of her in a bikini hanging from a bamboo stick that was funded by slum landlord Peter Rachman. The photographs and memorabilia were assembled over a 17-year period by art dealer James Birch. The exhibition takes place at the Mayor Gallery between 3 November-17 December.