Aitken: "If this is the way you're going to behave, I think I'm going to go home"

Aitken Returns

The disgraced former Cabinet Minister kept a stiff upper lip as he was greeted by an excited mob of cameramen and photographers waiting for him near College Green, opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Aitken refused to answer questions. He then concluded: "I don't think I'm going to get to College Green. If this is the way you're going to behave, I think I'm going to go home."

Which he did. Mr Aitken turned into Little College Street, with around 50 journalists still tailing him, and carried on to his home in Lord North Street. He reached the front door slightly ruffled, though unscathed.

Others were not so fortunate. Michael Brunson, ITN's political editor, was pushed flat on his back while his colleagues chased Mr Aitken.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, Mr Aitken said he would not be giving any media interviews "for the foreseeable future". He is believed to have spent the last few weeks on holiday in northern California with his teenage son, William.

Mr Aitken now faces legal costs of £1.8 million, as well as a police investigation into allegations of perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice. However, there are rumours that he has been reconciled with Lolicia, his wife of 18 years, who left him one day before the libel case collapsed.

News of Mr Aitken's reappearance led to calls in the House of Commons for him to "face the music". Labour MP Gordon Prentice asked Tony Blair whether he was aware that the vast majority of people found guilty of perjury receive immediate custodial sentences. He said that Mr Blair should urge the Tory leader, William Hague, to ensure that Mr Aitken "doesn't do another runner".

But Mr Blair would not be pushed into commenting. "Obviously, issues relating to perjury or any other criminal offence are matters for the appropriate authorities," he said.