Pride and Perjury

by Jonathan Aitken

When Jonathan Aitken stepped from Number 10 Downing Street on July 20th 1994, he was soon tipped as next Leader of the Conservative Party. John Major had just appointed him First Secretary to the Treasury and his future could not have been brighter. What went wrong? Within a year headlines appeared such as 'Aitken tried to arrange girls for Saudi friends' and 'New Light on who paid what at The Ritz in Paris'. Accused of pimping, arms dealing and corruption, both his career and reputation hung in the balance as he came out fighting with his now famous Sword of Truth speech. In 'Pride and Perjury' Aitken tells for the first time how he became the most vilified politician in Britain since John Profumo. He reveals his dealings with cabinet colleagues, his relationship with the Saudi Royal Family, and a full account of his stay at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. He also describes the intense and dramatic events behind his failed libel action and his subsequent trial for perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Aitken's fall from grace was the greatest personal catastrophe for a public figure since the trials of Oscar Wilde - a living hell including bankruptcy, divorce and a prison sentence. With insight and with elegance Pride and Perjury is a moving and compelling account of a fallen politician's penitence and delves into the darker side of human nature. It is also an inspiring message of hope and redemption.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

Hardcover

First published April 3, 2000

About the author

Jonathan William Patrick Aitken is a former Conservative Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom for 24 years, and a former British government Cabinet minister. He was convicted of perjury in 1999 and received an 18-month prison sentence, of which he served seven months.

Reviews

[Sharon Bollen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly engrossing read.
Initially it felt a little slow with a strong emphasis on his early parliamentary career and his dealings with the highest levels of society around the world; monarchs, prime ministers and presidents. Later on you realise this only highlights the depths to which he fell in the most public of ways. I couldn't help feeling enormous sympathy for him and his family; more than he felt for himself. This is not a "poor me" biography by any means.
His conversion story therefore resonates all the more because his wasn't a Damascus road experience but a long, soul searching journey into faith.
I found it moving, sincere and encouraging.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

The personal bits of the book about the faith and family life of Jonathan are really gripping and great reading. Unfortunately, he gets bogged down in political and economic details and details of the criminal charges against him by the press. There is an amount of repetition here which makes some sections of the book boring and difficult to read. It certainly took me a while to plough through it at some points.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Aitken is one of my favorite authors. This is his story. A life redeemed! If you want a great read, encouragement in your own life, a life that shows God’s transforming grace in the midst of human failures, than this is a must read.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a long time ago but it still makes an interesting story. I'm not sure Aitken's 'spin' on events is 100% correct but its not my place to judge, as he has already been judged. He had a bit too much reliance on God for my taste but this obviously helped him get through. I enjoyed the read, he writes a very good book and I will seek out more of his writing. One major thought from the mess he created was that politicians' never seem to learn, there always is always some scandal on the go. There is always a book to write about it afterwards which no doubt will helped the family cash flow and recovery from bankruptcy.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly well written and without any self pity or attempts to excuse his behaviour, this was a refreshingly good read.

[Karin Rosner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm deducting 2 full stars for editing issues in the narrative, which the careful reader will observe. I am being picky, but this is a heartening read.