Former Conservative Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken is to mark the opening of a new church centre by discussing his downfall.

Former warehouses on the Osney Mead industrial estate in west Oxford are being converted into The King's Centre, headquarters of Oxfordshire Community Churches, and Mr Aitken will give a talk on Friday, May 24, to mark the opening of the new £3m project.

Mr Aitken, a former defence minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was jailed for 18 months for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Following his release two years ago, he began a two-year BA honours course in theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

The Rev Mike Beaumont, director of Oxfordshire Community Churches, asked Mr Aitken to speak, and he was delighted to accept. Referring to Mr Aitken's prison sentence, Mr Beaumont added: "It was during this crisis time that Mr Aitken began to explore the Christian faith in a new way and discovered that it was possible for all of us -- no matter how badly we have messed up -- to make a brand new start.

"We think this is a great story and are opening our doors for others to hear it."

The church is in talks with the city council because planning permission does not allow it to hire the church hall to other organisations. Two warehouses previously owned by Oxford Instruments are being converted. The second one, which is still being refurbished, will be opened next year.

The other warehouse, which is being opened at the weekend, can hold 1,000 people.

After music and dance by church members, Mr Aitken will tell his story and then take questions. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and entrance is free.

Mr Aitken served seven months in jail after his libel suit against The Guardian and World in Action collapsed. The Christ Church law graduate went to prison after it emerged he had lied on oath.