Chris Huhne pleads guilty over speeding lie and quits as MP

Will Eastleigh by-election lead to an ‘almighty bust-up’ for Tories and Liberal Democrats?

Chris Huhne
(Image credit: Getty Images)

FORMER cabinet minister Chris Huhne will resign as an MP and could face a jail term after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.

The 58-year-old Liberal Democrat announced he was stepping down from his marginal seat in Eastleigh, south England after admitting he asked ex-wife Vicky Pryce to take speeding points for him in 2003 so he could avoid prosecution. Last week the former energy secretary denied the offence but on the first day of his trial at Southwark Crown Court today he announced he was changing his plea. Pryce, who Huhne left in 2010 for mistress Carina Trimingham, has pleaded not guilty to taking the points for him on the grounds of marital coercion, the BBC reports.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up