Was Edwina Currie right to publish?

Edwina Currie has gone public with an extremely well kept secret - that she had a four-year affair with former Prime Minister, John Major.

In the serialisation of her diaries in The Times newspaper, Ms Currie says she seduced Mr Major in 1984 when she was a backbencher and he a government whip.

The affair waned as Mr Major rose higher in office until Currie ended the relationship when he was promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, two years before being made prime minister.

As prime minister, John Major's government was badly embarrassed by a string of affairs involving ministers during his back to basics policy.

Could Major possibly have survived as PM if this news had come out before? Does it affect his reputation now, thirteen years later?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

My opinion of Edwina has gone up because she really fell for him

Asia Haleem, London, UK

No one should ever say no to happiness, however short it may last. Actually my estimation of John Major has gone up because it reveals a warm man with a huge sense of humour. Strangely, my opinion of Edwina has gone up too because she really fell for him and genuinely loved him. What, may I ask, is wrong with that? We don't want robots in the government. I hope they meet up again and take off into the sunset.
Asia Haleem, London, UK

Why was such a fuss made of this whole issue? No one should be sacked for having an affair. Unfortunately it's a way of life now. For the government to succeed in winning people's support they need to move into the 21st Century. This may help them in their political lives.
Gregory, Maidstone, UK

During the time Major was prime minister, he was portrayed by the media as a comical character. What a relief to hear he had a sordid affair with Ms Currie. All I can say is well done Mr Major.
D Taylor, Hampshire, UK

John Major's remorse at his "shame" is a bit ungallant

M Voges, England

John Major and Edwina Currie did well to keep it quiet. I don't think it was necessary for her to have let the cat out of the bag now. But now that it is, I think John Major's remorse at his "shame" is a bit ungallant.
M Voges, England

We're having a good laugh and Edwina's having her revenge, while making tons of money. I feel bad for Norma, though.
A Abrams, Guyana

I think the morals in Britain are the worst. Men in Britain think it's okay to cheat on their wives. Mr Major is no exception. I am sure he can justify his actions like all the rest. The hurt party is his wife. When will women stop having affairs with married men and stop hurting other women?
Carol, USA

So the woman whose political career was ended for telling the truth about salmonella in eggs is now telling us the truth about John Major. It seems that she is widely hated for telling the truth more often than her colleagues. I think that says more about them than it does about her.
Joe Otten, UK

Everyone has a right in this country to publish what they like, when they like, that's what a free society is about. If there are things in there that are not true then whoever it affects should sue. If everything is true then so what? There are people out there who will read this book, I for one won't because I couldn't care less about any politician's love life least of all Edwina Currie's. As for John Major, he made his bed, now he has to lie in it. Sorry, I have no sympathy for either of them. The only one I sympathise with is Major's wife.
PhilT, Cornishman in Oman

She is being honest in her diaries which every worthy diary writer should be

Sanjay Sen, UK

Ms Currie deserves credit on two counts. She did not spill the beans when Major was calling for "Back to Basics". And now she is being honest in her diaries which every worthy diary writer should be. Bravo Ms Currie!
Sanjay Sen, UK

Before Mary Archer commented on John Major's slip in taste, she should have looked at who she chose as a husband.
Rachel H, Scotland

I don't know whether to be more surprised by John Major's lack of judgment or his astonishing lack of taste. Either way - I'm not surprised to hear that it's something about which he feels thoroughly ashamed. As for Mrs Currie's decision to reveal all in her autobiography - well four years is a significant amount of time and the relationship was clearly very important to her (not to mention manna from heaven to her publisher and bank manager) so she could hardly have left it out could she? But, hang on, I don't remember reading anything about it in John Major's memoirs - speaks volumes doesn't it.
L Yeager, England

The people who ask whether this affected his duties as PM are naive. Moral character is intrinsic, not a suit of clothing you put on when you leave for work in the morning.
Peter Nelson, USA

Who cares anyway! It was and is their private life and it was finished by the parties concerned. The press are only in frenzy over this because other than Iraq it's a slow news day! They're also put out that they missed a scoop all those years ago!
John, UK

Currie should be crossed off a few Christmas card lists this year

R.C. Robjohn, UK

His reputation isn't particularly damaged by this episode. If he had had drug-fuelled orgies with call girls who turned out to be Iraqi spies then that would be pretty bad. Edwina Currie is a self publicist of the worst kind and should be crossed off a few Christmas card lists this year.
R.C. Robjohn, UK

Watching cricket is fine, but I'm glad to hear he had other interests. It's all rather exciting.
Stephen, USA

So Mary Archer thinks Major's affair with Edwina Currie displays a lapse in taste. Someone really needs to tell her to stay out of the limelight. She's beginning to make her husband look good.
David, London, England

Why am I having such a hard time taking this seriously? Who cares? I hadn't planned to buy her memoirs anyway.
Sandra, US

I am appalled to read that people are congratulating him

Richard Walton, England

At college I studied John Major's life as my main thesis. He came across as a man with real scruples and no sleaze attached to him personally. I am very sad to hear that he betrayed Norma who always stood by him. It's a real shame that such a 'nice' man has blotched his reputation. I am appalled to read that some people are congratulating him. Where are our morals nowadays? Who do we look to as role models?
Richard Walton, England

It is amazing just what a difference a bit of time can make. If this story had emerged a few years ago the public may have been outraged, but now I think it's quite funny. I think it's just one further chapter in the long running Westminster soap opera.
Peter, England

I think it's bit unfair to say of a four-year affair that it's the thing you are most ashamed of especially when you were responsible for privatising the railways and all those other disasters.
Sandra, UK

The fact that we assumed he was boring and innocent is only a tribute to his skills at media manipulation

A G, UK

What John Major did was wrong, sure, but people should realise that saints don't become prime minister and the fact that we assumed he was boring and innocent is only a tribute to his skills at media manipulation. The joke is on us.
A G, UK

It's always the quiet ones...
Dominic Hill, UK

Very sad that so many people, including Andrew Marr, have said how much more exciting and interesting this makes John Major. Since when did having a lying, cheating, sordid little affair count as an interesting or worthy activity?
Steve, UK

Who cares? It's history. I'm really not interested. I only feel sorry for the close family members who now have to face this being in the public eye.
Kerri, UK

Never mind what this has done to John Major's reputation - what does it say about that once great institution, The Times? To think that it would print Edwina Currie's pathetic story is bad enough. But that it should pay her for it!
John Doran, UK

The PM's ability as a statesman and representative of his people was not affected by this affair. Looks like somebody is trying to make a fast few bucks by exposing this affair years after it occurred. Attempted smears like this are just plain tacky - for shame. If he did his job, who cares about his private life?
Dennis Elliott, Canada

Damage to JM's legacy? What legacy would that be? The man is/was as bland and exciting as dried dog food. The real shame is that the media wastes so much valuable airtime and resource on irrelevant garbage. She's in it for the money (no surprise) and he's ashamed (as with his Y-fronts - no surprise) They had an affair - so what? Can the media now concentrate on matters that are relevant and newsworthy? It is an insult to the public to see how this has been blown up into this weeks "sensational story". Shame on you lot.
olaf , GB

Call me an old cynic but I suspect Major's "ashamed" about his affair only because it's out in the open. He would also have been aware of the effect of his comments upon the woman with whom he had a four-year affair - not a one night stand - what a man eh?!
Jo, England

I like the way you ran the headline "Has the affair damaged John Major's legacy?" next to the one "Are we becoming dirtier?" - most appropriate.
Jon, England

John Major was the prime minister of this country - not the Archbishop of Canterbury! What he did in his private life is of no concern to his future reputation.
Trevor Goodwin, England

Now they will be remembered for something other than salmonella!

Rachael, UK

He wasn't really remembered up to now so the both of them have been brought back into the public eye. I think it will do no end for both of their reputations only because now they will be remembered for something other than salmonella!
Rachael, UK

Blimey, there was a bit of life in the ol' boy after all! I preferred the Tory sleaze of affairs and brothel visits to the passport buying, crony contracts and dodgy donations that goes on under Labour.
Phillip Holley, UK

Thank God this scandal didn't come to light at the time! We might have been saddled with Michael Heseltine as PM instead of John Major - now that would have been a disaster for Britain. Thank you Edwina for keeping mum and saving us.
Tim Smith, UK

How wrong Spitting Image were!

Shakeel, UK

Spitting Image used to portray Mr Major as a boring man who had nothing interesting to say or do. How wrong they were!
Shakeel, UK

A famous Labour politician and ex-actress once said of John Major, "What can you say about a man who ran away from the circus to join a bank?!" Someone once said that if it were ever revealed that he'd had an affair he'd probably be the only politician whose reputation would be enhanced given that he came across as nice but grey. What do they all think now and why on Earth are we so obsessed with peoples' private lives?
Kenneth, Scotland

I always thought Major was the most honest man of the time. His affair had nothing to do with his job. Didn't he even play fair and not give her an important post just because she was his mistress? He is a very handsome man, what did he see in Edwina? Then she lashes out at his reaction that it was a mistake? What does she expect? I thought it was a terrible thing she did, why rake it all up now just to make a buck that she doesn't even need? It's in the past now, who cares?
Cindy, Farnborough, UK

History will not be kind to the post-Thatcher Tories

Bill Elleray, UK

History will not be kind to the post-Thatcher Tories. I used to think John Major was the best of poor bunch. Now it appears he was as bad as the rest.
Bill Elleray, UK

It has nothing to do with how he ran the country. But Labour must be laughing at the timing as it takes the column inches away from the tricky issues at the party conference.
CJD, Oxford, UK

Well, well, I didn't realise John Major was such a stud! It cheered me up no end!
Kirstin Lynch, Greece

So the affair is the "one thing" that he's "most ashamed of" in his life. Are we to conclude then that he's happy about the state of our railways? As far as the affair is concerned, Major was content to deceive his wife by going to great lengths to protect his own reputation.
Sue, UK

Let's face it, up until the weekend who actually remembered her?

Richard H, UK

The newspapers thought they had a wonderful new Archer story until it emerges that Major admitted the affair 'years' ago and it's all old news. And this sounds like a cheap publicity stunt either in favour of Labour or as a prelude to a new book by Currie. Let's face it, up until the weekend who actually remembered her? As long as an MP or prime minister does the job they are elected to do and as long as what they do in their private life isn't illegal, then I don't want to know. A very high percentage of the population has affairs but don't manage to work at repairing their marriages like Major did. All this proves is that he is a fallible human being like the rest of us.
Richard H, UK

Extraordinary that such a story should appear at the beginning of the Labour conference in Blackpool. How much hassle over Iraq and the PFI is Mr Campbell expecting? What an excellent piece of spin!
James, England

What has John Majors past or infidelity got to do with how he ran the country? The press and the public are becoming too obsessed with anything sexually related. There are more important things to be discussing and writing about.
Sh'ronn Powell, London

What legacy? A ruined rail system mainly! If only he'd spent more time philandering and less playing trains....
Sheenagh Pugh, Wales

During Major's seven years in office Britain became a better society

B Writing, UK

This doesn't change a thing. During Major's seven years in office Britain became more at ease with itself, a better society, and a great place to live. (Despite Labour's and Thatcher's spin)
B Writing, UK

Good Lord! I never thought he had it in him. Especially as he was always banging on about family values. Altogether now, hip, hip, hypocrisy!
Adam, England

Of all the people to have an affair with? Edwina Currie is the only presenter on Radio Five Live that makes me turn the radio off! Poor old Norma - more peas dear?!
Andrew, London

If Major is remembered at all, it will be as the man who held the door of 10 Downing Street open so Mrs Thatcher could exit and Tony Blair could enter. His sex life will have about as much effect on his legacy as it would on any other doorman.
Matthew Cope, Canada ex-UK

If Edwina didn't have a book to push, we would never have heard of it

Peter Connolly, England

Why would this have affected their ability to do their jobs at the time? What relevance does it have now? If Edwina didn't have a book to push, we would never have heard of it.
Peter Connolly, England

Rather than harming John Major's reputation it has harmed Edwina Currie's. Just think of all her novels of sex and political intrigue. Now we know where she got her inspiration from they will lack a certain credibility.
John Scott, UK

I won't be buying the book, and I certainly wouldn't want to see the video!
Steve Donovan, UK

I am at a slight loss as to why she has chosen to reveal this now and I feel very sorry for her ex-husband... it happened far too long ago and I suspect that there are plenty of other MPs wondering if their secret will ever be leaked... I would think this has only been done for revenge and of course money.
Jane Evans, UK

John Major has grown in my estimation

Beryl Urquhart, England

Not in the least. John Major has grown in my estimation and Edwina Currie's has diminished. Mr Major has demonstrated enormous honesty and courage over Iraq this week - and my estimation of Norma has also grown.
Beryl Urquhart, England

Well done that man! So Major did have a bit of panache and verve after all...
Steff Johnson, UK

What you mean that politicians are human? This kind of sensationalism is ridiculous; politicians are two-faced, lying, self-concerned people, just like the rest of us!
Gary Bliss, UK

Go John! But still, Edwina Currie?!
Andy, London, UK

What is it about the air in Huntingdonshire? Both Major and Archer live there.
Cliff, UK

The news enhances Major's reputation immensely!

Robert Mee, UK

The news enhances Major's reputation immensely! No longer the grey Spitting Image man we all thought him to be. If the news had come out at the time, it would have finished him so unfairly. Why do we still allow our politicians and other public figures to be put out for indiscretions which are, throughout society, almost normal?
Robert Mee, UK

This revelation certainly put me off my breakfast this morning.
Stefan P, England

Let's hope he was better at being a lover than he was as prime minister!
K. Jackson, USA ex-UK

Back to basics was misinterpreted

Mark Gordon, London, UK

The back to basics campaign had nothing to do with a return to moral values and was misinterpreted. John Major was a good prime minister and the question should be did he improve the lives of ordinary people, because at the end of the day that's what the job of a PM is - his marital and extra-marital business is his own.
Mark Gordon, London, UK

This changes nothing! I always thought he was two-faced. Any man that could cheat his nearest and dearest would have no qualms about cheating his country.
Richard Stimson, UK

Seems that Mr Major wasn't quite as dull as the public perceived he was after all. What he did in his own time is between him and Ms Currie.
Mike Rodgers, UK

What legacy? You must be joking!
L Newman, London