Jonathan Aitken, journalist, politician, prisoner and recently ordained priest, has had one of the most high profile and colourful careers in British public life.
After graduating in Law from Christ Church, Oxford in 1964 he became a Fleet Street journalist. He was a senior reporter and feature writer for the London Evening Standard serving as a war correspondent in Vietnam, Biafra and The Middle East. After journalism he went into business and became chairman of a merchant bank in the City of London. He then went on to an have an illustrious 23 year political career as a Member of Parliament, during which he served as Minister of State for Defence and Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
His political career came to an end after pleading guilty to charges of perjury arising out of a libel case. He was sentenced to 18-months in prison.
During his time in prison he became deeply committed to his Christian faith and went on to study Theology at Oxford as a mature student. He is the author of seventeen books and is a frequent columnist and broadcaster.
Last year he was ordained as a Priest and Prison Chaplain in the Church of England. In January he became Honorary Chaplain to Christians in Government.
