UK Energy secretary steps down charged with perverting the cause of Justice
Chris Huhne has quit as UK energy secretary after learning he was to be charged with perverting the course of justice over a 2003 speeding case. His ex-wife Vicky Pryce will face the same charge in relation to claims she accepted his penalty points.
Mr Huhne, Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh, said he was innocent but would stand down to “avoid distraction”. Business Minister Ed Davey will replace him but Nick Clegg said he hoped Mr Huhne could return to government.
Essex Police have been investigating the speeding points’ claims for eight months.
Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said the Crown Prosecution Service had concluded there was “sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against both Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce for perverting the course of justice”.
“The essence of the charges is that between March and May 2003, Mr Huhne, having allegedly committed a speeding offence, falsely informed the investigating authorities that Ms Pryce had been the driver of the vehicle in question, and she falsely accepted that she was the driver,” he said.
Both are now due to appear in court on 16 February.
In a short statement outside his London flat Mr Huhne said the CPS decision was “deeply regrettable”. He added “I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts and I am confident that a jury will agree”.
”To avoid distraction to either my official duties or my trial defence I am standing down and resigning as energy and climate change secretary. I will of course continue to serve my constituents in Eastleigh.“
Lib Dem leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mr Clegg said Mr Huhne was ”a good friend and close colleague“ who had done ”an outstanding job“ as energy secretary.
”I totally understand and respect why Chris Huhne has stood down from his position in government to clear his name,“ he said.
”If he clears his name as he wishes to I have made it clear to him that I would like to see him back in government in a key position.“
Mr Clegg's chief aide Norman Lamb will replace Mr Davey as a business minister while fellow Lib Dem MP Jenny Willott will become an assistant government whip. Jo Swinson has been appointed as Mr Clegg's parliamentary private secretary, to replace Mr Lamb.
In a letter to David Cameron, tendering his resignation, Mr Huhne said it had been ”an honour to negotiate and then serve in the first coalition government of modern times“.
In reply, the prime minister wrote: ”Like the deputy prime minister, I am sorry to see you leave the government under these circumstances and wish you well for the future.”
Suggested Stories
-
May 25th 2012
Cameron pays tribute to Falklands’ conflict dead and reaffirms Islanders right to self determination
-
May 25th 2012
Paraguay proposes India long-term plan to exchange food for investments and technology
-
May 25th 2012
UK reassures support for Gibraltar after major incident with Spain in the Rock’s waters
-
May 25th 2012
UK deeper in recession; IMF recommends more stimuli measures
12 comments Feed
Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.
The drillings keeps on in spite of Britain upset......
I say :
1 ) Always insist on margin of safety ..............
2 ) Say that this time is never different...............
3 ) Be patient and wait for the oily pitch.............
4 ) Be contrarian................
5 ) Risk is the permanent loss of capital,never a number......
6 ) Be leery of leverage..................
7 ) Never invest in something you don't understand.............
In South America they give them promotions and pay rises or maybe even send people to prison who question it! Haha
If they step down in South America, it shows the culture is corrupt.
If they don't step down it's because they successfully hid their corruption.
If they step down in Europe, it shows the justice system work.
If they don't step down, it's because they are paragons of probity.
Sounds good to me!
www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/04/cronyism-and-corruption-are-killing-economic-freedom-in-argentina
Berlusconi, Christian Wulffs loan kicks, Scotland and Libya, Chirac convicted, News of the World, Russia, Greece and Franco/German banks, Baltasar Garzon debared...
Yup, such an immaculate people.
But after reading the report (link in my previous posting) it makes Europe sound wonderful!!
Are you grateful that Kirchner lies about the true rate of inflation, as if you knew the truth you would be upset? Read the report it's shocking!!!
And it is a sad commentary that Europe now finds solace in feeling better about their politics by reading the political grapevine of Argentina! How the mighty have fallen... ;p
This man is a lying deceitful person from the Lib-Dem side of the coalition government.
In the midst of the economic crisis he is responsible for millions of pounds of subsidies to the 'green' idiots, all to be paid by the UK taxpayer ad- infinitum.
The written evidence by his then wife shows he got her to take the blame for his unlawful actions.
Perverting the course of justice is taken very seriously in the UK and a jail term is usually the result if he is found guilty, which everybody expects will happen.
The EU has its' own type of LatAm governments, Italy, Spain and Greece are clear examples. Generally, the UK is a model of probity by comparison.
You're so wrong, it doesn't exist in Europe, because we're Europeans :D.
“the UK is a model of probity by comparison.”
ChrisR typing here out of his ass. Just admit, the UK is a model of a group of nations with the highest principles and ideals of hypocrisy.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!