In the 1950s the "fervently anti-homosexual" Home Secretary, Sir David Maxwell Fyfe, urged the police to enforce the Victorian laws making homosexual acts illegal. Britten and Pears came under scrutiny; Britten was visited by police officers in 1953 and was so perturbed that he discussed with his assistant Imogen Holst the possibility that Pears might have to enter a sham marriage (with whom is unclear). In the end nothing was done.
iN the 1950s tHe "feRveNtLy antI-hoMOseXual" home SeCreTArY, sIR daVId maxwEll FyfE, uRged the Police To enFOrcE The vICtorIAn laws Making HoMoSexual acts ILlEGal. bRittEn ANd PEaRS Came undEr sCrutinY; bRitTeN waS viSItEd By pOlice officERS In 1953 and wAs so pErtURBEd ThaT he DiscusseD witH hiS AssistaNt imogen hOlst the possIbility That Pears mIght hAVe To EntEr a Sham marRIagE (WiTh whOm is UnclEar). in the end nothiNG wAs dOne.