A former Conservative MP convicted of perjury will be speaking to a church congregation this weekend.

Jonathan Aitken, who was jailed for 18 months in 1999 for perjury and perverting the course of justice, will appear at Christ Church in Chorleywood on October 14.

Aitken, 76, who served a seven-month custodial sentence, is believed to have come to faith while in prison and now plans to become an unpaid prison chaplain.

In 1995, The Guardian newspaper carried a front-page report on Aitken’s dealing with senior Saudis.

The story was the result of an investigation by Guardian journalists and Granada Television’s World in Action programme, “Jonathan of Arabia”.

Aitken denounced the report at a press conference as “bent and twisted journalism” launching libel action.

The action collapsed in June 1997 when both news outlets produced evidence countering his claim his wife Lolicia paid for a stay at the Ritz Hotel in Paris when airline vouchers showed she had in fact been in Switzerland at the time.

The Guardian/Granada investigation indicated an arms deal scam involving Aitken's friend and business partner, the Lebanese businessman Mohammed Said Ayas, a close associate of Prince Mohammed of Saudi Arabia.

It was also alleged Aitken had been prepared to have his daughter Victoria lie under oath supporting his version of events, had the case continued.

While in prison, it is understood Aitken helped fellow inmates with literacy, letter writing and job applications.

He is said to have joined a prison prayer group and studied theology upon release at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

In July, he was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon.

Reverend David Hall, vicar of Christ Church, Chorleywood said: “It is a privilege to have Jonathan Aiken with us. His conversion is a wonderful example of how God can turn lives around. I am sure he will make an excellent prison chaplain.”

The service is at 10.30am.