Britain: British prime minister Tony Blair described John Profumo, who has died aged 91, as "a politician with a glittering career who made a serious mistake, but then underwent a journey of redemption".
Mr Blair said Profumo should be remembered not only for the scandal that ended his career in politics, but for his later work with the disadvantaged in east London.
The former secretary for war, whose affair with Christine Keeler led to the most notorious political sex scandal of the 20th century and contributed to the collapse of a Conservative government, died in hospital on Thursday night after suffering a stroke.
Profumo, who spent four decades atoning for his disgrace, died peacefully at about midnight surrounded by his family, a spokesman for London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital said.
Speaking on a visit to Czech capital Prague, Mr Blair said: "He was a politician with a glittering career who made a serious mistake, but then underwent a journey of redemption in which he gave support and help to many, many people."
Profumo's departure in 1963 signalled the downfall of Harold Macmillan's Conservative government, which lost the general election the following year.
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: "Many will automatically remember his spectacular fall from grace in the Christine Keeler affair. But I will remember his remarkable work after that in the East End of London."
Lord (Bill) Deedes said: "He atoned for his mistakes and I think will, on death, receive his reward for that." He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The fact is what he did, and continued to do until quite recently, was a very long stint of social work for the poor of east London.
"And if that isn't considered to be sufficient atonement for the mistake he made then there is no such thing as forgiveness."
Political historian Anthony Howard described Profumo as a "man of charm" but a "lightweight politician".
Mr Howard said that "technically" the Profumo affair did not bring down Macmillan because he retired through ill-health. But "it did do tremendous damage, the country went hysterical."
He said Profumo would never talk about the scandal.