Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CRIMINAL CHARGES against a personal friend of the former Tory cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken are expected to be dropped at the Old Bailey today.
Said Ayas - godfather to one of Aitken's children - was jointly charged with Aitken of plotting to pervert the course of justice during an unsuccessful libel action against The Guardian newspaper and Granada Television in 1997.
Aitken has always denied the charge, but last month admitted perjury during his High Court action. His civil action in June 1997 centred on the allegation by the newspaper and the television company that he had stayed at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1993 at the expense of prominent Saudi Arabian friends while serving as minister for defence procurement.
He also pleaded guilty to intending alone to pervert the course of public justice by drafting a witness statement for his daughter Victoria which he knew was false, and submitting it to the High Court.
Aitken, 56, of Westminster,London, had denied charges alleging conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and doing acts tending and intending to pervert the course of public justice.
The Recorder of London, Michael Hyam, accepted the pleas and remanded Aitken for sentence until June, after Mr Ayas was due to stand trial.
Mr Ayas, 56, a former business associate of Mr Aitken, was also charged with doing acts tending and intending to pervert the course of public justice between 1995 and 1997. He had denied both charges. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service last night confirmed they had decided not to proceed with the charges against Mr Ayas.
Aitken has said he is preparing himself for a jail term when he is sentenced. He is the first former cabinet minister this century to be convicted of a serious crime.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments