London - Committal proceedings against former British cabinet minister Mr Jonathan Aitken on charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice were adjourned yesterday.
Following a day-long hearing at Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London, Chief Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate Mr Graham Parkinson reserved his decision on committal to the Old Bailey until December 7th.
The charges against Mr Aitken (56) - who was chief secretary to the treasury in 1994/1995 - and Mr Said Mohammed Ayas relate to the collapse in June last year of Mr Aitken's High Court libel action against the Guardian newspaper and Granada Television's World In Action programme.