Currie, Edwina (1946–)
Currie, Edwina (1946–)
English politician and paramour. Born 1946 in Liverpool, England; attended Oxford University; London School of Economics, MA in economic history; m. Raymond Currie (div. 1997); m. 2nd husband John Jones (retired detective), 1999; children: (1st m.) 2 daughters.
Conservative, began career holding public office in Birmingham; stood for Parliament (1983) and represented a Midlands seat for 14 years (1983–97); said to be one of the most flamboyant politicians of her era, served in Margaret Thatcher's government (1986–88) in the Department of Health; known for her campaigns on heart disease, women's cancer screening and AIDS, resigned over her remark that most of Britain's egg production was infected with salmonella (Dec 1988); published 10 books, including racy novels and Diaries 1987–1992 (2002), which revealed her 4-year liaison with John Major when both were married to others and serving as ministers in Thatcher's Government (1984–88); also had her own BBC radio program "Late Night Currie."