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The Peer and the Gangster

A Very British Cover Up

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The Peer and the Gangster

By: Dan Smith
Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
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In July 1964, the Sunday Mirror ran a front-page story headlined: Peer and a Gangster: Yard Enquiry. While withholding the names of the principal subjects, the newspaper reported that the Metropolitan Police had ordered an investigation into an alleged homosexual relationship between ‘a household name’ from the House of Lords and a leading London underworld figure. Bob Boothby was the Conservative lord in question and Ronnie Kray the gangster. 

The story threatened a scandal more explosive than that of the previous year’s Profumo affair, which had brought an end to Macmillan’s premiership. So began one of the most extraordinary cover-ups in British history - a rapid rearguard action involving eminent figures from the political firmament (including the then prime minister and home secretary), the Security Service, the Metropolitan Police, the legal profession and the media. Within a couple of weeks the story had been killed off. Now, for the first time, the full saga of the cover-up - and its far-reaching consequences - can be revealed.

©2020 Dan Smith (P)2020 W. F. Howes Biographies & Memoirs Europe Great Britain
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It would be hard to believe that people got away with what they got away with in the 1960 s, but for the fact that nothing has changed.
A measured and reasonable account of events, that still manages to be staggering.

Plus ca change...

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A tale that makes the Profumo affair, which happened just prior to this case, look trifling. All political parties colluding to save their own skins, leading to the continued abuse of underage children. Sickening. It explains why politicians today are so in thrall to the party whips... they have all the dirt.

The story of an establishment cover-up

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This is the best book I have downloaded on Audible. It is factual and riveting. The stories we all heard are there but also the background as to how the whole sordid mess was achieved. Don’t miss the Epilogue it is good.

Brilliant

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the author really knows his subject .
The intertwined narrative of the surrounding happenings of the period were well researched and added to the enjoyment.
Great narration. Loved it

sterling work

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A, must read, for anyone interested in post war Britain. It goes to underscore the belief that cover ups are maybe not a thing of the past.

Gold

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