Victorian Scandal Out In Open (Press, 13 March 1975)
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Summary: Victorian Scandal Out In Open (Press, 13 March 1975)
On 12 March 1975, it was reported that newly opened official documents revealed the extent to which the family of Queen Victoria and government officials concealed a significant sex scandal that shook Britain 75 years prior. The scandal revolved around a male homosexual brothel located in Cleveland Street, allegedly attended by prominent figures including Lord Arthur Somerset, equerry to the Prince of Wales, and potentially other notable men of the period. The release of these documents was particularly noteworthy as they had been kept under wraps for a century. They confirmed suspicions from 1900 that influential figures such as the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII, and the then Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, intervened to prevent the prosecution of Lord Somerset. The documents indicated that Lord Somerset’s lawyer had claimed that a "very distinguished person" would be implicated if Somerset were taken to court, which was a reference to Prince Albert Victor, Queen Victoria's son, who had already gained notoriety by being connected with the unsolved "Jack the Ripper" murders. The published papers illustrate that despite pressure from the Attorney-General, the Public Prosecutor, and the Police Commissioner who were in favour of prosecuting Somerset under strict laws against male homosexual activities, significant political opposition came from leaders such as Lord Halsbury and Lord Salisbury. Their resistance stemmed partly from Somerset's high societal status and the fear of implicating other distinguished individuals. The Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr H. Cuffee, noted that the Prince of Wales was alarmed by the scandal and made efforts to intervene on Somerset’s behalf. Cuffee highlighted that the prince was resolute in his disbelief regarding the allegations and sought a resolution that would protect Somerset's reputation. In the midst of the mounting scandal, Somerset fled the country just before an arrest warrant could be issued. Additionally, the documents revealed attempts by eminent clients of the Cleveland Street brothel to bribe male prostitutes to leave the country to prevent their testimony in the investigation. "The Times" described the newfound evidence as an enlightening example of how the Victorian elite collaborated to shield their own from public scrutiny and legal repercussions.
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