MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK Energy secretary steps down charged with perverting the cause of Justice

Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh Huhne said he was innocent but would stand down to “avoid distraction”.

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.”