Aitken set free for Christmas

Disgraced former Cabinet Minister Jonathan Aitken will be spending Christmas with his family, the Prison Service confirmed today.

Disgraced former Cabinet Minister Jonathan Aitken will be spending Christmas with his family, the Prison Service confirmed today.

It emerged earlier this year that the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, who was jailed for 18 months in June for perjury and perverting the course of justice, would be eligible for home leave by the festive season.

A Prison Service spokesman said Aitken, aged 57, would be leaving Standford Hill open prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, on Christmas Eve.

He said: "I can confirm Jonathan Aitken will be released from December 24 to December 30.

"This leave was assessed in the same way as all other prisoners, and he has not received any special treatment."

Aitken will be due for permanent release next April.

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