Huhne's ex: there will be charges

Feb 3 2012

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne's ex-wife Vicky Pryce has reportedly said there will be charges over allegations that Mr Huhne dodged a speeding penalty.

Economist Ms Pryce, who allegedly agreed to take some penalty points so her ex could avoid a driving ban, told the BBC: "I understand there will be charges."

Her comment came ahead of an official announcement by Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC.

The decision follows an eight-month police investigation into the allegations.

A decision to proceed with the case is expected to spell the end of the Liberal Democrat's Cabinet career - although the Eastleigh MP has repeatedly refused to confirm that he would quit. The alleged incident dates back nearly a decade, but only emerged after Mr Huhne admitted an affair with PR adviser Carina Trimingham in 2010 and ended his marriage.

The Sunday Times reported that he had allegedly been caught by a speed camera on March 12 2003. He has consistently denied claims that he was the one behind the wheel and that Ms Pryce admitted the offence because he would have faced a ban if he collected any more penalty points.

Mr Huhne is alleged to have been returning from Stansted Airport to his home in Clapham, south London, on the day in question, having flown in from Strasbourg, where the European Parliament sits.

Images have since emerged of Ms Pryce's driving licence, indicating that she received three points for a speeding offence in the Essex area on March 12 2003. However, she is believed to have later said she was actually at an event in London that day.

Essex police started an investigation when it was claimed in a Sunday Times interview with Ms Pryce last May that her ex-husband asked "someone" to take speeding points on his behalf. It later emerged that she was apparently the "someone" concerned.

The newspaper interview followed the couple's split, when Mr Huhne announced he was leaving Ms Pryce for Ms Trimingham. Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce had been married for 26 years and had three children and two stepchildren together.