DISGRACED ex-Tory minister Jonathan Aitken told an East Lancashire audience of his transformation from a deceitful politician to a born-again Christian.

And the Dean of Blackburn Cathedral said the story showed how God would forgive all sinners - even shamed politicians.

Mr Aitken was sentenced to 18 months in Belmarsh Prison, London, on June 8, 1999, for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

He was found to be lying over his business affairs after making a famous speech pledging to fight twisted journalism.

Speaking to a packed congregation at Blackburn Cathedral as part of the Church's annual programme of guest speakers, Mr Aitken explained how his spiritual journey has led him to Christianity and redemption with God.

He said: "I have lots of regrets and remorse in my life but I am now a very happy person.

"I do regret making that speech and when I watch it back I think 'who was that arrogant and pompous berk?'

"At the time I was just terribly angry with the media, which is why I said it, but now I wish I hadn't taken myself so seriously.

"Instead of feeling outraged that I had been found out I should have just denied things in a more dignified way.

"Nothing had prepared me for my first night in prison.

"The implied violence and threats made against me were terrifying and I soon realised that the only thing I could do was to kneel down and say a prayer.

"I asked God what was wrong with me that I could mess up so catastrophically as the prison sentence was not the worst of my crisis.

"I had also faced divorce and bankruptcy.

"It didn't take long to work out the answer was pride."

Mr Aitken, who has just written his autobiography, said he was now a reformed character who was dedicated to spreading the word of God, particularly throughout the prison system. Earlier in the day he had met with sex offenders at Wymott Prison in Leyland.

He said: " I don't think that I am the best judge of whether I have changed but my children, who are my strongest critics, say they prefer me now to how I used to be.

"I know there are people who are cynical about whether I have reformed but I am not playing to the orchestra. I am playing to the conductor who is God and he will judge me."

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, added: "I thought Jonathan Aitken gave us a great deal of himself today.

"People came to hear about his changes in life which I think even those most cynical could relate to.

"People are constantly changing their lives and the essence of the church is one of forgiveness.

"If people ask for redemption then God will forgive them no matter what they do."