Westminster has long been a stage for sex scandals, with political history dotted by once-respected figures caught in compromising positions. The most recent example is Matt Hancock, filmed kissing his aide Gina Coladangelo during the pandemic, flouting the social distancing rules his own department imposed.
But there have been far more explicit and darker cases of politicians entangled in scandal.
Robert Boothby
Conservative MP Robert 'Bob' Boothby entered Parliament in 1924, an era when politicians' private lives rarely made news despite being known in Westminster. Over his three-decade career, he had a lengthy affair with Dorothy Macmillan, wife of his colleague Harold Macmillan, lasting from the 1930s even after Macmillan became Prime Minister in 1956. Boothby also allegedly had a homosexual relationship with notorious gangster Ronnie Kray, who with twin Reggie ruled London's underworld.
Stephen Milligan
The political establishment was shaken on February 7, 1995, when respected Tory MP Stephen Milligan was found dead at his Chiswick home. He was discovered nearly naked on the kitchen table, wearing only women's stockings and suspenders, with a black bin liner over his head and an orange segment in his mouth, strangled by an electrical flex. Detectives concluded he accidentally killed himself during a solitary sexual act, likely asphyxiating for gratification. The coroner ruled misadventure, shocking his family and friends.
Anthony Lambton
Anthony Lambton inherited the Earldom of Durham in 1970 but gave it up to remain MP for Berwick. He was one of two ministers forced to resign from Ted Heath's government over call-girl scandals, alongside Lord Jellicoe. His downfall came when he was secretly photographed smoking cannabis in bed with two prostitutes, images leaked to a newspaper. Security services denied him access to classified material over blackmail fears. He resigned and moved to Italy, buying the 400-year-old Villa Cetinale.
Peter Mandelson
Peter Mandelson was appointed US ambassador in December 2024 despite concerns about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He took the role in February 2025 but was removed seven months later after fresh details emerged. He has consistently denied wrongdoing. The document release followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pressure for openness. Starmer apologised to Epstein's victims and accused Mandelson of deception, sparking backbench fury. Emails disclosed by the US Justice Department raised questions about Mandelson allegedly sharing market-sensitive information with Epstein while trade secretary, which he denies. In February, he was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released, remaining under investigation. After his dismissal, Lord Mandelson said: 'I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards.'
