Jonathan Aitken facts

JONATHAN AND THE YOUNG METEORS.

Mr Aitken's book, the Young Meteors, was published in July l967. it was about the best and the brightest of a generation, rising effortlessly to claim their places as leaders of the country. Among those so named were Nigel Lawson, David Steel, Roy Hattersley, Melvyn Bragg and Vanessa Redgrave. Jonathan saw himself as one of this elite.

JONATHAN AND SADO-MASOCHISM.

Jonathan had an affair with a prostitute called Paula Strudwick whose expertise was sado-masochism. her flat was littered with whips, chains, nipple clamps, bondage tapes and riding crops. After the High Court trial Ms Strudwick "whipped and told" her story to a Sunday newspaper.

JONATHAN AND CAROL THATCHER.

Absolutely no suggestions of S&M in this liaison. But Jonathan is said to have treated Carol (right) with a degree of emotional harshness when he dumped her. Unfortunately, Carol Thatcher's mother was the Prime Minister and his boss. His political career stalled for some time after he "made Carol cry".

JONATHAN AND PARTIES.

Not the fun ones he had with Ms Strudwick, Dr Pickard and others. But serious political ones he hosted at his home in Lord North Street. Conservative ideologues would gather for dinner and put the world to right over the brandy and port. Mr Aitken also met his friends from the Arab world at the house, which once belonged to Churchill's propaganda chief, Brendan Bracken.