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Tory Aitken to advise on prisons Tory Aitken to advise on prisons
(about 2 hours later)
Disgraced former Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, who was jailed for perjury, is to lead a study into prison reform for a Conservative policy group.Disgraced former Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, who was jailed for perjury, is to lead a study into prison reform for a Conservative policy group.
He will head a taskforce for Iain Duncan Smith's Centre for Social Justice, which advises Tory leader David Cameron on social issues.He will head a taskforce for Iain Duncan Smith's Centre for Social Justice, which advises Tory leader David Cameron on social issues.
Mr Aitken was jailed in 1999 for perjury during a libel action which he had left the Cabinet to fight.Mr Aitken was jailed in 1999 for perjury during a libel action which he had left the Cabinet to fight.
He told the Observer that prison reform was "a cause dear to my heart". He told the BBC that "poachers" sometimes made "useful gamekeepers".
'Not comeback' 'Heavy price'
Confirming he was taking on the new role, Mr Aitken said: "It is an assignment well worth taking extremely seriously. Asked if he was making a political comeback, he replied: "No, and I don't ever expect to.
"I made a bad mistake - I paid a heavy price for it and I expect to go on paying a price for it. "And that's life and I have to live with that."
Mr Aitken earlier told the Observer newspaper: "It is an assignment well worth taking extremely seriously.
"This isn't an ego trip for me. This is a job to be done. I have a very good team who I think will help to do it well.""This isn't an ego trip for me. This is a job to be done. I have a very good team who I think will help to do it well."
Mr Aitken added: "I don't regard this as any kind of Aitken comeback. I regard it as a job to be done and an assignment.
"This is something I can contribute to, not that this is some sort of ladder for me."
Mr Aitken resigned as chief secretary to the Treasury in 1995 so he could sue the Guardian over allegations that a Saudi businessman had paid for him to stay at the Paris Ritz in breach of ministerial rules.Mr Aitken resigned as chief secretary to the Treasury in 1995 so he could sue the Guardian over allegations that a Saudi businessman had paid for him to stay at the Paris Ritz in breach of ministerial rules.
There was a personal rehabilitation for Jonathan Aitken during his time in jail Nick WoodCentre for Social JusticeThere was a personal rehabilitation for Jonathan Aitken during his time in jail Nick WoodCentre for Social Justice
Launching the action, he insisted that the "simple sword of truth" would help him win.Launching the action, he insisted that the "simple sword of truth" would help him win.
But the case collapsed in 1997 and Mr Aitken was later found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 1999.But the case collapsed in 1997 and Mr Aitken was later found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 1999.
He served almost seven months of his 18-month sentence before being released in January 2000.He served almost seven months of his 18-month sentence before being released in January 2000.
Former Tory leader Mr Duncan Smith will formally unveil the appointment on Monday.Former Tory leader Mr Duncan Smith will formally unveil the appointment on Monday.
'Direct experience''Direct experience'
Nick Wood, media adviser to the Centre for Social Justice, told the BBC: "There was a personal rehabilitation for Jonathan Aitken during his time in jail.Nick Wood, media adviser to the Centre for Social Justice, told the BBC: "There was a personal rehabilitation for Jonathan Aitken during his time in jail.
"He has written about this, he has talked about it and he has campaigned for prison reform.""He has written about this, he has talked about it and he has campaigned for prison reform."
Explaining Mr Duncan Smith's thinking, he said: "One of the things that Iain is keen on is that people leading political groups should have some direct experience of the subjects they are working on.Explaining Mr Duncan Smith's thinking, he said: "One of the things that Iain is keen on is that people leading political groups should have some direct experience of the subjects they are working on.
"I think Jonathan Aitken certainly has the experience of jail and he has shown a great deal of thought and interest in it since.""I think Jonathan Aitken certainly has the experience of jail and he has shown a great deal of thought and interest in it since."
Peter Preston, who edited the Guardian at the time of the court case, told BBC 5 Live that Mr Aitken's appointment could send out the wrong signals.Peter Preston, who edited the Guardian at the time of the court case, told BBC 5 Live that Mr Aitken's appointment could send out the wrong signals.
"Basically, had we lost on all that false testimony, we would have been out as an organisation well over £1m in damages and legal costs.""Basically, had we lost on all that false testimony, we would have been out as an organisation well over £1m in damages and legal costs."
A Conservative Party spokeswoman said: "The CSJ and the Conservative Party are two separate entities and they make their appointments independently.A Conservative Party spokeswoman said: "The CSJ and the Conservative Party are two separate entities and they make their appointments independently.
"The CSJ has done some excellent work for us in the past and we look forward to seeing more of their findings in due course.""The CSJ has done some excellent work for us in the past and we look forward to seeing more of their findings in due course."