It was somehow inevitable that The Repentant Sinner would turn up in Oxford and find himself chairing a debate on penal reform. Jonathan Aitken and the words "former disgraced Cabinet minister" go together like toast and marmalade but, as Jonathan himself knows too well, hope makes a good breakfast but a poor supper.

When he agreed to chair the Howard League debate on penal reform at New College next Wednesday, it was clear this was the next step towards his rehabilitation, following his conviction for lying in court during the now infamous libel action against The Guardian newspaper and Granada TV.

In October, Jonathan will return to Oxford on a more permanent basis, when he searches for his own personal road to Damascus at Wycliffe Hall, where he is to read theology. There, among a committed Christian community, Aitken will have time to consider how his life has progressed since his days as a law student at Christ Church from 1961-1964.

Pictures from the time show a darkly handsome young undergraduate, born with a patrican smile and an attitude which some would have dismissed as arrogant.

When Oscar Wilde wrote "Two men looked through prison bars one saw mud, the other stars", Aitken would certainly have considered himself to be in the latter category. By all accounts, his time inside was time spent on self-improvement and reflection.

He is said to have helped his fellow cons by writing expressive love letters on their behalf and advising them on their rights and entitlements.

And there is little doubt he continues to inspire genuine loyalty among those who know and work for him such as 41-year-old Ashley Merry, Aitken's PA.

She explains: "Jonathan is not saying anything to the Press at the moment, but he is looking forward to chairing this debate on Wednesday. He was asked to do it and he was happy to do so." Ms Merry, a former Army captain, met Aitken during his time as Defence Minister and has worked for him since January. Her belief and faith in Jonathan appear unshakeable.

"What do I think of him? Well, that's a very leading question, but since you ask, I couldn't work for a man that I didn't respect and like and you could not meet a more genuine person than Jonathan."

The judge and jury in the libel trial might have disputed this, but Ms Merry is adamant.

"I respected his work as a Cabinet minister and I think when he is able to get his life back on track he will find himself where he ought to be," she says firmly.

"He deserves a fresh start and he deserves it more than most. The world would be a better place if there were more people like him in it."

It takes something special to inspire such devotion but then Jonathan Aitken has always had charisma to burn. Whichever way you look at it, you sense that next Wednesday's penal debate will be but a short step on the road to Aitken's attempt at regaining his credibility. Libel trials and prison sentences come and go but, as all good theology students are aware, the pure in heart endureth forever.

The Repentant Sinner will be back. Of this, we may be sure. Amen.